Dubai Rejects Kenya’s Plea to End Visa Standoff, Leaving Thousands in Limbo

By Morara Beckham 

The diplomatic efforts by Kenya to resolve the ongoing visa restrictions with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have hit a wall. In a recent visit to Dubai, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Moses Wetang’ula failed to secure an agreement that would ease the harsh visa regulations currently imposed on Kenyan nationals. The UAE authorities have now officially rejected Kenya’s bid to end the stalemate, further dashing hopes for thousands of Kenyans who rely on the Gulf nation for work and trade.

At the heart of the visa crisis is a new UAE policy that restricts visa issuance to citizens from several African countries—including Kenya—unless they meet stringent criteria such as possessing higher education qualifications, financial proof, or verified employment offers. These measures, introduced in early 2024, have disproportionately affected low- and middle-income travelers, many of whom regularly visit Dubai for business, family, or transit.

According to immigration data,**over 36,000 Kenyans live and work in the UAE**, many as domestic workers, retail staff, drivers, and construction laborers. The ongoing visa restrictions have already led to **a sharp decline in new work opportunities and business travel**, particularly for traders who depend on Dubai’s markets for goods like electronics, clothing, and spare parts.

Hopes were high that Wetang’ula’s visit to Dubai last week would yield a breakthrough. However, UAE officials reportedly made it clear that **the visa matter was not open for negotiation** during the bilateral talks. A senior UAE foreign ministry official told *Business Daily Africa* that the visa restrictions were part of “internal regulatory reforms” and were not meant to target Kenya specifically.

Still, the Kenyan side was taken aback by the firm stance. Wetang’ula, who had remained optimistic throughout the visit, left without addressing the issue in public statements, instead flying out to China for another diplomatic engagement. The **lack of clarity has only heightened anxiety** among affected Kenyans, many of whom say they feel ignored by their own government.

Kenya’s economic ties with the UAE run deep. The Gulf country is **Kenya’s fourth-largest trading partner globally**, and among the top three sources of remittances. In 2023 alone, **Kenyans living in the UAE sent home an estimated KSh 46 billion (\$320 million)**, accounting for over 10% of total remittances to the country.

But the visa freeze threatens to choke this lifeline. Recruitment agencies report a **drop of more than 60%** in job placements for Kenyans in Dubai over the last 12 months. Exporters and importers have also seen delays and cancellations of trade deals due to travel complications.

Critics have faulted the Kenyan government for failing to communicate clearly with the public. The Foreign Affairs Ministry has yet to release an official statement on the UAE's rejection, leaving citizens to speculate and rely on media reports.

Human rights organizations have also raised concerns about the lack of protection for Kenyans stranded in the UAE without valid visas. Some have been detained, deported, or forced to live in inhumane conditions as they await deportation.

As of now, there is no clear timeline for when—or if—the visa restrictions will be lifted. Kenyan authorities have indicated that discussions will continue through diplomatic channels, but with the UAE holding firm, a resolution may take longer than anticipated.

In the meantime, thousands of Kenyans find themselves caught in a bureaucratic no-man’s land—unable to work, travel, or plan for the future.

Unless urgent steps are taken to address the crisis transparently and compassionately, the diplomatic deadlock could snowball into a broader economic and humanitarian issue. For now, **the door to Dubai remains closed**, and for many, so does the door to opportunity.