New limits on time spent outside the UAE for residents

Many UAE residents live between two countries: part of the year in Dubai, part in Russia or somewhere else. That is perfectly normal practice, but it has firm limits — and in 2026 they became stricter.

Type of visa	Maximum continuous absence
Work visa	179 days in a row
Investor visa	361 days in a row

What counts is continuous absence — days in a row outside the UAE without entering the country. Even a short visit to the UAE resets the counter.

What happens if you go over the limit?
If you have exceeded the period and then fly into the UAE, you will not be let into the country at the airport. Entry stays closed until one of two things happens:

1. Your current residence visa is cancelled — after that you can enter as a tourist and apply for a new visa from scratch.
2. A re-entry permit is issued — a special permission to enter in order to settle the situation.

Both take from a few hours to a full day. You spend all of it waiting in the airport transit area. It is unpleasant, costly in time and nerves — and entirely avoidable.

Why does this matter so much?
Along with the residence visa, your Emirates ID — the main identity document in the UAE — is cancelled too. Restoring it takes time and money.

How do you avoid this?
It is simple: keep track of the days you spend outside the UAE. Do not come back right at the limit — plan your entry with a few days to spare. And if you know you will be away for a long stretch, get advice in advance about switching to a more suitable type of visa.

If you need advice on your visa situation or help with paperwork, get in touch. The Wesupport team supports UAE residents at every stage of legalisation.