Last updated: April 1, 2026
Since February 28, 2026, flight disruptions across major Gulf transit hubs have affected travelers worldwide. In response, several countries have introduced emergency visa measures to protect travelers from overstay penalties and support their onward travel. Sherpa is tracking these changes as they develop.
Emergency Visa Measures by Country
🇧🇭 Bahrain
- Overstay fines waived for visit visa holders whose authorized stay expired on or after Feb 28. The exemption remains in effect for one month after airspace reopens.
- Visit visas that were valid as of Feb 28 but unused due to flight disruptions are extended by three months for travelers outside Bahrain who were unable to enter.
- Contact: NPRA call center (17077077), WhatsApp, or info@npra.gov.bh.
- Source: NPRA, Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Bahrain (March 12, 2026)
🇮🇳 India
- Foreign nationals can contact their nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for visa extensions or stay regularization.
- FRRO contact details available at boi.gov.in.
- Source: Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
🇮🇩 Indonesia
- Emergency stay permit (ITKT) available for affected foreign nationals, valid up to 30 days and renewable.
- Overstay fines waived (set to 0 IDR) for travelers who can show proof of disruption from their carrier or airport.
- Travelers with expiring visas can report directly to immigration offices for case-by-case processing under force majeure provisions.
- Source: Directorate General of Immigration, Indonesia
🇰🇼 Kuwait
- All visit visas expiring on or after Feb 28 are automatically extended by one month, processed electronically. No action required by travelers.
- All administrative fees and potential fines waived during this period.
- Kuwait residents currently abroad who are unable to return will receive an automatic three-month extension of their permitted absence, also processed electronically with no fees.
- Source: Kuwait Ministry of Interior
🇲🇻 Maldives
- Tourist visas extended for visitors whose flights have been canceled and who cannot leave before their permitted stay expires.
- A simplified online visa extension service is expected to launch in April, with 48-hour processing and reduced documentation requirements. Dedicated contact mechanism set up by Maldives Immigration for affected travelers.
- Source: Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) on X
🇵🇭 Philippines
- Foreign nationals whose authorized stay expired on or after Feb 28 may remain legally in the country until May 1, 2026, without fees, fines, or overstay penalties.
- Originally set to expire April 1, the measure was extended by Department Order No. 2026-219, signed March 30 by the Secretary of Justice.
- Source: Department of Justice, Philippines on Facebook (March 13, 2026)
🇶🇦 Qatar
- Entry visas of any type expiring on or after Feb 28 are automatically extended by one month, free of charge. Extensions are processed electronically with no action required.
- Travelers who overstayed before Feb 28 must pay existing fines before the free extension applies.
- A further extension is possible depending on how the situation evolves.
- Source: Qatar Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) on X
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
- Travelers holding expired visit, Umrah, transit, or final exit visas from Feb 25 onward who were unable to depart may leave directly through international ports with no fees or overstay fines.
- Departure must take place before April 18, 2026. Travelers wishing to remain temporarily may extend their visa through the Absher platform ("Passports" > "Tawasul"), initiated by the host. Standard fees apply.
- Extensions are also valid until April 18.
- Source: Ministry of Interior, Saudi Arabia (March 25, 2026)
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
- Free 14-day visa extension for tourists currently in the country, effective immediately.
- 24/7 hotlines available: Sri Lanka Tourism (1912), Bureau of Foreign Employment (1989).
- Source: Government of Sri Lanka, President's Media Division
🇹🇭 Thailand
- Overstay fines fully waived for foreign nationals whose permission to stay expired on or after Feb 28 and who intend to depart.
- Travelers unable to leave immediately may apply for a temporary stay extension of up to 30 days. If the visa has already expired, the overstay fine must first be paid before the extension is granted.
- Extension requests require: TM.7 form, passport copy, embassy/consulate letter explaining the need (or a statement recorded by immigration), and STM.2, STM.2/1, and STM.9 forms.
- Source: Thailand Immigration Bureau
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
- Overstay fines were waived for travelers unable to leave due to airspace closures and flight suspensions, covering penalties incurred from Feb 28 through March 31.
- The waiver period has ended. As of April 1, standard overstay fines apply. Overstaying more than 3 days may result in blacklisting from the UAE and all GCC countries. Travelers should make arrangements to depart as soon as possible.
- Source: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
Airline Rebooking and Refund Policies
Most major carriers operating routes through the Middle East have issued travel waivers:
- Rebooking windows, refund deadlines, and covered destinations differ by carrier. Check your airline's travel alerts or manage booking page directly.
- If you booked through a travel agent or third-party site, contact them first for rebooking or refund assistance.
What Travelers Should Do
- If your visa is expiring, contact local immigration authorities proactively.
- Keep documentation from your airline confirming cancellations or delays, as this may be required when applying for extensions or fee waivers.
This post is updated as new policy changes are confirmed. For the latest entry requirements, visit our website.
