Airfares from the United Arab Emirates have increased significantly in recent weeks, with travel agencies reporting average rises of 15 to 25 per cent. The surge is being linked to reduced flight schedules by regional carriers, a decline in international airline operations on key routes, and mounting operational expenses such as fuel and insurance.

Industry professionals say the price increase, while noticeable, has not dampened overall travel demand. Instead, it has led to changes in how passengers plan their journeys. Imtiaz Hussain Nasir, chief executive of Pinoy Tourism, noted that travellers are now more price-conscious, often comparing options carefully and booking earlier to avoid further increases. Flexibility with travel dates and routes has also become more common.

Recent travel disruptions have played a role in shaping demand patterns. Many passengers postponed trips rather than cancelling them, leading to a rebound in bookings as services resumed. This combination of delayed and new demand has placed additional pressure on available seats, contributing to higher fares.

Rashida Zahid, vice president of operations at musafir.com, said travellers are increasingly adopting strategic booking habits. According to her, most passengers now secure tickets around eight to ten days before departure, as prices tend to rise sharply within the final few days. While direct flights remain the preferred choice, more travellers are opting for indirect routes when the cost savings are substantial.

The limited presence of international carriers is another factor influencing prices. Rino Steephen, sales manager and partner at Azzam Travel and Tourism, explained that a large share of current flights is being operated by UAE-based airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, and Air India. Reduced competition, he said, is contributing to higher ticket costs.

Popular outbound destinations from the UAE include India, the Philippines, several African nations, Turkey, Thailand, Georgia, Armenia, Malaysia, Singapore, and major European cities such as London, Paris, Milan, and Barcelona.

Flight availability continues to play a critical role in pricing. With fewer direct options, many travellers are choosing longer, indirect journeys, sometimes at higher overall costs, to reach their destinations while managing budgets.

Experts also point to broader global pressures affecting the aviation sector, including rising fuel prices, increased insurance premiums, and operational risks. These factors are feeding into ticket pricing worldwide.

Despite higher fares, booking patterns vary depending on urgency. Some passengers continue to book immediately due to pressing travel needs, while others plan weeks in advance to secure more favourable rates. Airlines, meanwhile, are offering greater flexibility in ticket changes and cancellations to accommodate shifting travel plans.

Looking ahead, industry observers expect demand to remain strong. Nasir said travel activity is likely to recover steadily as operations stabilise, although fares may stay elevated on high-demand routes with limited capacity. Steephen added that while UAE carriers are operating without seat restrictions, the absence of more international airlines continues to shape pricing trends. Any easing of fares, he noted, will depend on how conditions evolve in the coming weeks.

Source: Khaleej Times

Oman has approved citizenship for 226 individuals following the issuance of Royal Decree No. 46/2026 by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. The decree was officially published in the Official Gazette on April 19, confirming the names of those granted nationality.

The decision aligns with the country’s nationality law, which outlines strict eligibility criteria for foreign nationals seeking Omani citizenship. Applicants are required to have legally resided in Oman for a minimum of 15 consecutive years, with annual absences not exceeding 90 days.

In addition, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in Arabic, maintain a clean legal record, and have no history of crimes involving dishonesty or breach of trust. They must also be in good health, free from communicable diseases, and able to prove a stable and lawful source of income sufficient to support themselves and their dependents. A formal pledge to renounce their original nationality is also mandatory.

The legislation includes specific provisions for spouses of Omani citizens. Foreign men married to Omani women may apply for citizenship after 10 years of continuous marriage and residence, provided they have children and meet all legal, linguistic, and financial requirements. Foreign women married to Omani men are eligible after eight years, while widows may apply after six years of residence following their husband’s death. Divorced women may also qualify under defined conditions, including prior marriage duration, residency, and the presence of children.

Citizenship can also be acquired by children through their Omani father, and in certain circumstances through their Omani mother, particularly if the father is absent, deceased, or unknown, subject to legal approval and residency requirements.

The law further outlines conditions under which citizenship may be revoked or withdrawn. These include obtaining another nationality in violation of regulations, submitting false information during the application process, or being convicted of crimes that threaten state security. Citizenship may also be rescinded if a naturalised individual resides abroad for extended periods without valid justification.

Strict penalties are imposed for fraudulent applications. Individuals found guilty of providing false information or forged documents to obtain or deny citizenship may face imprisonment ranging from one to three years, fines between 5,000 and 10,000 Omani riyals, or both, in addition to any harsher penalties stipulated under other applicable laws.

Source: gulfnews

Canada has introduced a broad set of immigration policy changes effective April 1, 2026, bringing updates to visa fees, work permit regulations, and settlement programs as part of efforts to modernise its immigration system and better align it with economic priorities.

The latest measures affect a wide range of applicants, including temporary workers, permanent residents, and families seeking to reunite in the country, while also placing greater emphasis on regional labour needs and administrative efficiency.

One of the most noticeable changes is the increase in government service fees. The cost of passports, including the widely used 10-year adult passport, has been raised, alongside higher charges for citizenship applications. Authorities say the adjustments are intended to reflect rising operational costs and to support improved processing services.

Canada has also introduced more flexible provisions under its super visa programme, allowing parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to stay for longer durations with simplified requirements. The update is expected to strengthen family reunification and make long-term visits more accessible.

In a significant policy shift, provincial governments have been granted expanded authority over immigration selection. This move allows provinces to better address local workforce shortages by tailoring immigration streams to meet specific economic demands, particularly in sectors experiencing labour gaps.

Changes to work permit rules are another key highlight. The government has introduced measures aimed at encouraging foreign workers to take up employment in rural and less populated regions, where labour shortages remain persistent. Employers hiring through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program will now be subject to stricter requirements to prioritise domestic recruitment, including youth employment, before seeking foreign labour.

Additionally, authorities have extended access to settlement services for newcomers, enabling immigrants to benefit from employment support, language training, and community integration programmes for longer periods. This is expected to improve long-term integration outcomes and workforce participation.

Further adjustments have also been introduced at the provincial level. Some provinces, such as Saskatchewan, have expanded the scope of immigration-related fees to include additional categories of applicants, particularly foreign workers, reflecting increased demand for regional immigration pathways.

The reforms also include administrative improvements designed to streamline application processing, reduce delays, and enhance digital services. Immigration authorities have indicated that these changes will help manage growing application volumes while maintaining service standards.

Overall, the new rules signal Canada’s continued effort to balance economic growth with sustainable immigration. While applicants may face higher costs and stricter compliance requirements in certain areas, the updated framework offers greater flexibility, improved services, and increased opportunities—especially for those willing to work and settle outside major urban centres.

Source: timesofindia

The Kuwait Interior Ministry announced on Wednesday that it will extend visit visas for an additional month, as well as leave of absence permits for three months, in light of the ongoing circumstances.

Starting from February 28, 2026, all visit visas that have expired or are nearing expiration will be automatically extended for one month. During this period, individuals will be exempt from any fees or penalties associated with the extensions, given the current situation.

Additionally, expatriates currently outside Kuwait will benefit from a three-month automatic extension for their leave of absence permits. This extension will be processed without requiring in-person visits or payment of fees.

The ministry also indicated that the exemption period could be further extended, depending on the evolving circumstances.

Source: Kuwaittimes

China confirmed that citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada will be able to visit the country without a visa beginning February 17, in a move intended to boost travel and cultural exchanges. The new arrangement will remain in place until the end of the year, the Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday.

The decision follows separate visits to Beijing in January by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, both of whom sought to reset relations with China and explore areas of cooperation. During their meetings with President Xi Jinping and other senior officials, both sides agreed to advance initiatives, including visa-free travel.

Under the policy, holders of ordinary British and Canadian passports can stay in China for up to 30 days without applying for a visa. The exemption applies to trips for tourism, business, family visits, cultural exchanges, or transit.

Beijing described the measure as part of broader efforts to make cross-border travel easier and promote closer people-to-people ties with other countries.

The Republic of Armenia has unveiled a temporary visa‑exemption policy that allows residents of the United Arab Emirates from 113 eligible countries to enter Armenia without a visa until 1 July 2026, officials confirmed. The initiative is designed to make travel simpler, boost tourism, and strengthen Armenia’s ties with global visitors and expatriates.

Under the new policy, foreign nationals who hold a valid UAE residence permit — in addition to those issued by Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, the United States, European Union member states, or Schengen Area countries — can travel to Armenia without a prior visa.

To qualify, the residence permit must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry and presented either as a physical card or as a passport sticker. Once admitted, travellers can stay in Armenia for up to 180 days within a one‑year period, offering flexibility for extended visits for tourism, business or family purposes.

This temporary exemption scheme is part of Armenia’s broader effort to enhance accessibility and attract international visitors throughout the first half of 2026. The policy applies to a wide range of nationalities across Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions, including major countries such as India, Pakistan, Egypt, the Philippines, Malaysia, South Africa and Sri Lanka, among many others.

Armenian officials have emphasised that the measure is intended to streamline entry procedures, support the tourism sector, and encourage cultural and economic engagement with travellers from diverse markets. The Armenian Tourism Committee highlighted the move as a clear signal that the country is open and welcoming to global visitors in 2026.

How It Works in Practice

Eligible travellers planning to take advantage of the visa‑exemption should:

• Ensure their residence permit is valid for at least six months from the intended date of arrival.

• Carry the original physical permit or passport sticker when entering Armenia.

• Plan their trip within the exemption timeframe (1 January – 1 July 2026).

Border authorities may require that the permit display key personal details — such as name, nationality, date of birth and validity dates — in Latin script to facilitate verification.

Armenia has gradually expanded its visa‑free arrangements in recent years. It introduced visa‑free travel for citizens of the UAE in 2017, followed by similar measures for Qatar in 2019 and Kuwait in 2022. Direct flights between Armenian cities and the UAE, operated by carriers such as flydubai, Air Arabia and Wizz Air, have further strengthened travel connections.

Located at the cultural crossroads of Europe and Asia, Armenia has become an attractive destination for residents of the Gulf region. With scenic landscapes, centuries‑old UNESCO‑listed monasteries, burgeoning culinary offerings and a lively arts scene, the country offers diverse experiences for both short breaks and longer stays.