Travel enquiries to the UAE dropped briefly in late February and early March before recovering through late March and into April, according to data from UAEVisaTravel.com, an online visa consultancy operated by Pinoy Tourism.
The consultancy estimates demand has returned to between 30 and 50% of pre-disruption levels, with week-on-week growth recorded since mid-March. Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International have maintained near-normal operations, and no systemic visa processing delays have been reported by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.
The earlier dip coincided with regional tensions and airspace restrictions across the Gulf that disrupted flight routes in late February.
UAE Multiple-Entry Visa Applications Up 25 to 30% in April
Multiple-entry visa applications rose by roughly 25 to 30% compared to March, according to UAEVisaTravel.com. Demand for express visa processing and travel insurance also increased, up around 20 to 25%, as travellers prioritized faster turnaround and added coverage.
Imtiaz Hussain Nasir, CEO of UAEVisaTravel.com, said the data reflects a shift in behaviour rather than a drop in interest. Travellers are still choosing the UAE but placing greater emphasis on flexibility and faster decision-making, he said.
Top source markets driving the recovery include India, Russia, and the United Kingdom, matching the pre-disruption mix of visitors.
UAE Booking Windows Shrink to 7 to 14 Days Amid Regional Uncertainty
The average time between visa application and departure has fallen from three to four weeks down to 7 to 14 days. Nasir attributed the shorter booking cycles to travellers prioritizing flexibility and faster turnaround during periods of regional uncertainty.
Emirates airline president Tim Clark has also noted signs of recovery in travel demand following months of disruption tied to the Iran conflict, which affected flight operations and airspace access across the Gulf.
The GCC Unified Tourist Visa is expected to pilot in October, which industry observers say could provide further momentum for inbound travel across the region.
