Realtime UAE

UAE Authorities — Guidance for Residents

• Shelter in place — find a secure location within your residence or another safe building
• Keep a supply of food, water, medications and essential items
• Position yourself in interior spaces with minimal external walls or windows
• Stay away from areas where debris or suspicious objects have fallen — do not approach or photograph them
• Monitor official media channels for updates
• Keep phones charged and maintain communication with family
• Rely on official sources only — do not spread rumours or unverified reports
• Cooperate with authorities and follow their instructions
• Avoid unnecessary travel, especially near military installations
• Drone debris and fragments may fall in residential areas — if you hear an explosion or see falling debris, move indoors immediately. Do not approach, touch, or photograph debris. Report it to 999.
• On March 18, 2026, Iran's IRGC issued evacuation orders for specific Gulf energy facilities — including the UAE's Al Hosn Gas Field — declaring them "direct and legitimate targets." This threat has not been formally withdrawn and remains active under the April 7 ceasefire. NCEMA and civil defence advice to review evacuation routes in the vicinity of energy infrastructure remains in effect.
• Do not film or share footage of missile strikes, drone interceptions, or military activity. Over 189 people have been arrested under UAE cybercrime laws in connection with filming and sharing strike footage, including an estimated 70 British nationals. Penalties include a minimum 2-year prison sentence and AED 200,000 (~$54,000) fine. This applies to filming, sharing, reposting, and even commenting on such videos.

US Embassy — Shelter-in-Place Order

The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai have instructed all staff to shelter-in-place (take cover). All US citizens in the UAE are recommended to do the same until further notice.

Airport & Flight Status

As of April 8, 2026: DXB is open and operating steadily. On April 7, Emirates operated 150 departures and flydubai 73 from DXB — 223 combined, the highest single-day total since the conflict began. Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and flydubai have all restarted operations on trimmed schedules. Gulf Air has temporarily relocated its Bahrain hub to Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Foreign carriers are capped at one rotation per day at DXB and DWC for the Northern Summer 2026 season (April 20 to May 31). An EASA safety decision on Gulf airspace is expected around April 10 and could change operator access. Confirm status directly with your airline within one hour of departure.

Leaving the UAE

Factual inputs for residents weighing departure during the ceasefire window. This site does not give individual travel advice — please consult your airline, embassy, and official UAE sources.

• Ceasefire status. A two-week US–Iran ceasefire took effect April 7, conditional on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides have characterised it as a temporary pause. Israel has excluded Lebanon. Further talks are expected in Islamabad. The UAE has publicly called for durable Hormuz security guarantees rather than a temporary pause.
• Flight capacity. DXB and DWC are open; Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and flydubai are operating trimmed schedules. Combined Emirates + flydubai ex-DXB departures on April 7 reached 223 — the highest daily total since Feb 28. Foreign carriers are capped at one rotation per day at DXB and DWC through May 31. An EASA safety decision expected around April 10 may affect operator access.
• Driving to Oman. The Dubai → Muscat drive via the Hatta border crossing remains available (approximately 4–5 hours). Required documents per Omani border authorities: passport, valid UAE residence visa, Omani entry visa, vehicle documents, Omani motor insurance. Google Maps: Dubai → MCT
• Sea routes. No civilian passenger ferry service currently operates from the UAE or Oman. See the Strait of Hormuz card below for current commercial shipping status.

Strait of Hormuz

Under the April 7 ceasefire, Iran agreed to allow safe passage of marine traffic through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks, subject to coordination with Iranian Armed Forces. As of April 5, Iran's Fars News Agency reported 15 ships had transited; Windward maritime analytics tracked roughly 20 transits since the announcement. Approximately 800 commercial vessels remain trapped in the Persian Gulf. Eurasia Group estimates shipping operations need about two months to normalise even if the ceasefire holds. Prior to the ceasefire, Iran had selectively granted passage to vessels from Pakistan, India, Turkey, and China. The UAE has publicly called for durable access guarantees as a condition of any settlement. No civilian passenger ferry service operates from the UAE or Oman.

Embassy Advisories

As of April 8, 2026. Advisory postures below have been verified against each mission's current public guidance. Always check the linked source for the most recent update.

• 🇬🇧 UK — Advises against all travel. FCDO
• 🇺🇸 US — Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Non-emergency staff on ordered departure. Embassy
• 🇨🇦 Canada — Avoid all travel. travel.gc.ca
• 🇮🇳 India — Non-scheduled repatriation flights running from Dubai. Consulate advises limiting movement and registering with the consular helpline. Toll-free: 800-46342. Embassy
• 🇩🇪 Germany — Travel warning in effect. Register on Krisenvorsorgeliste
• 🇫🇷 France — Register on Fil d'Ariane
• 🇵🇰 Pakistan — 24/7 facilitation desks. Embassy
• 🇵🇭 Philippines — Alert Level 2. Hotline: 1348. DFA

Schools & Distance Learning

The UAE Ministry of Education has extended nationwide distance learning for all students, teaching, and administrative staff through Friday, April 17, 2026. The extension was announced after a prior directive on March 17 kept schools remote following the spring break. Individual universities (including American University of Sharjah and American University in Dubai) have confirmed classes and operations remain fully online during this period. Parents should refer to their specific school for exam, IB, and CBSE assessment arrangements.

Emergency Contacts