UAE Halts Visa Renewals for Sudanese Amid Diplomatic Rift, Leaving Thousands at Risk

Watan-In a surprise move with no official explanation, Emirati authorities have suspended all visa renewal procedures for Sudanese residents living in the UAE, exacerbating the hardships faced by the community amid Sudan’s ongoing crisis.

The UAE issued a directive to airlines instructing them to immediately halt issuing tickets for the so-called “visa change” (A2A) process for Sudanese nationals and to cancel all upcoming bookings as of Thursday, May 9, 2025.

This decision, which comes amid growing diplomatic tension between Khartoum and Abu Dhabi, threatens serious consequences for tens of thousands of Sudanese who rely on this mechanism to legally renew their residency.

The “visa change” system allows Sudanese workers—especially those in the private or freelance sectors—to temporarily exit to countries like Oman or Kuwait and return on a new visa, bypassing the UAE’s rigid residency bureaucracy. The abrupt halt of this process leaves thousands of Sudanese in legal and economic limbo, potentially facing arrest or forced deportation.

A Punitive Measure Wrapped in Diplomatic Silence

While the UAE has offered no official rationale, the move is widely seen as retaliatory following Sudan’s decision to cut diplomatic ties and withdraw its ambassador, accusing the UAE of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s civil war.

Despite official UAE statements insisting that ties with Sudanese citizens remain unaffected, the latest development clearly contradicts that stance—suggesting a deliberate pressure tactic aimed at Sudan via its expatriate population.

The UAE has long used foreign policy as a political tool, often at the expense of civilians and residents. This latest step adds to a growing list of politically motivated actions that override humanitarian considerations. Instead of being a safe haven, the UAE is now seen as punishing vulnerable communities based on shifting political alliances.

Sudanese Families Face Legal and Humanitarian Crisis

The Sudanese community in the UAE already lives under fragile social and legal conditions, with most employed in temporary or seasonal roles. For many, visa renewals are not just administrative—they are essential for survival.

Now, after this sudden decision, thousands of Sudanese families face the threat of becoming undocumented, with looming risks of heavy fines, arrest, or deportation to a war-torn homeland.

This decision ignores both the humanitarian implications and the catastrophic situation in Sudan, further depriving these individuals of their right to stability and safety.

UAE’s Policy Contradictions and Public Backlash

Observers point out the UAE’s stark contradictions: claiming solidarity with suffering nations while enacting policies that harm their citizens. In the Sudanese case, not only has the UAE been accused of fueling the war, it is also now seen as politically targeting Sudanese residents.

The move has triggered widespread backlash on social media, with human rights groups urging the UAE to reverse the decision and warning of dire consequences.

Analysts say the UAE risks international criticism for violating global norms protecting residents and refugees in times of conflict. The suffering of civilians, they argue, should never be used as a bargaining chip in geopolitical disputes.

Sudanese residents in the UAE, regardless of political tensions, are human beings with fundamental rights. If the UAE wishes to uphold its international image, it must immediately reconsider this unjust policy and take urgent steps to protect—rather than exploit—the Sudanese community.