Reports have emerged alleging that the United Arab Emirates has begun revoking residence permits held by Iranian nationals currently outside the country, including ten-year Golden Visas obtained through property investment. While authorities have neither confirmed nor denied the claims, multiple sources cite first-hand accounts suggesting a potentially broad and coordinated administrative action.

1. First-Hand Accounts Surface

The London-based outlet Iran International published testimonies from affected individuals on March 28, detailing cases in which Iranian residents discovered their visas had been cancelled upon attempting to return to the UAE.

One individual reported traveling to India with his family, only to find that his residency had been revoked, while his non-Iranian family members were still permitted entry. Another account described the cancellation of a valid ten-year Golden Visa during a temporary stay abroad.

2. Reported Expansion of Cancellations

According to the expatriate platform iranianuae.ae, which claims to have verified reports through direct communication with readers:

• Initial cancellations targeted employment and family-sponsored visas
• The scope reportedly widened over several days
• By March 27, cancellations allegedly extended to:
  • All Iranian nationals outside the UAE
  • Including Golden Visa holders with property investments

At the same time, individuals physically present in United Arab Emirates appear unaffected, with informal guidance advising against travel until the situation becomes clearer.

3. Official Silence Amid Rising Tensions

No UAE authority has issued an official statement addressing the reported visa cancellations.

However, political rhetoric toward Iran has intensified. Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan reportedly described Iran as “terrorist,” while President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan previously referred to Iran as an “enemy.”

Additionally, presidential adviser Anwar Gargash emphasized the need for guarantees and reparations in any future political settlement, though without direct reference to visa policy.

4. Legal and Financial Implications

If confirmed, the consequences for affected individuals could be severe. In the UAE, most essential services and contractual obligations are tied to a valid Emirates ID linked to an active residence visa.

Potential impacts include:

• Frozen bank accounts
• Breach of property and rental agreements
• Disruption to children’s school enrollment
• Loss of legal residency status

5. Corporate Response and Contingency Measures

According to VisaHQ Global Mobility News:

· Corporate mobility managers are actively verifying the status of Iranian employees

· Checks are being conducted through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP)

· Reported contingency measures include:

o Securing humanitarian visit visas via third-country passports

o Relocating staff to company offices in Qatar and Türkiye

6. Golden Visa Precedent

If substantiated, these actions would represent the first reported large-scale cancellation of Golden Visas in the UAE.

This is particularly notable given the rapid expansion of the program, with Dubai issuing approximately 158,000 Golden Visas in 2023 alone.

Summary

Unconfirmed reports suggest that the United Arab Emirates may be revoking residence visas of Iranian nationals outside the country, including Golden Visa holders. While no official confirmation has been issued, the situation highlights the potential vulnerability of residency status to geopolitical developments, even within long-term investment-based programs.