Kenya among 13 countries slapped with visa ban by UAE

Kenya among 13 countries slapped with visa ban by UAE

Kenya is among 13 countries slapped with a visa ban by the United Arab Emirates, according to a document issued by a state-owned business park.

The document said applications for new employment and visit visas had been suspended for nationals –those outside the UAE –of 13 countries until further notice.

It cited an immigration circular that came into effect on November 18.

A source briefed on the matter told Reuters the visas had temporarily stopped being issued over security concerns, but did not provide details of those concerns.

Other countries on the list include Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Tunisia, Turkey, Somalia, Libya and Yemen.

It was not clear if there were any exceptions to the ban.

The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship had no immediate comment when contacted by Reuters.

The circular took effect a week after the French Embassy in the UAE urged its citizens to maintain vigilance after a bomb attack in Saudi Arabia on diplomats claimed by Islamic State.

The explosion, which occurred during a World War One commemoration ceremony in Jeddah, was the first attack in years where explosives were used in an attempt to hit foreigners in the conservative kingdom.

The visa ban also comes two months after the Gulf state established formal ties with Israel, a move that broke with decades of Arab policy and angered some Muslim states and communities. Others welcomed it.

Still, the source familiar with the matter said the ban was unrelated to the UAE’s relationship with Israel and was expected to last only for a brief period.

A diplomat commented that the UAE had strained relations with some of the states listed, such as Turkey.

Last week, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the UAE had stopped processing new visas for its citizens and those of some other countries, but that those already holding valid visas were not affected and could still enter the UAE.

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