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Majority of UAE employees choose to remain despite regional conflict, says immigration firm
The overall picture points to continued functionality of the local businesses and job market with increased operational complexity and more caution
- PUBLISHED: Wed 1 Apr 2026, 10:42 AM
The majority of employees are choosing to remain in the UAE amid the ongoing Iran-Israel-US war, as employers in the country look to provide clear guidance and support, according to immigration firm Fragomen.
Employee sentiment is relatively stable, though there have been understandable concerns, the firm noted. The overall picture points to continued functionality with increased operational complexity, which is reflected in the country’s ongoing aviation activity and business continuity, albeit more cautiously.
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Julia Onslow-Cole, Partner and Head of Government Advisory Services at Fragomen, stressed that the situation is dissimilar across all GCC states, although all are emphasising on business and economic continuity.
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“We do continue to see a selective approach to relocation rather than broad movement,” Shayan Sultan, a partner at Fragomen who oversees the firm’s practices in the UAE, said during a virtual webinar on Tuesday.
“The immigration system remains largely operational, but we are not seeing any general shutdown or any form of closures, whether that be application processing, government authorities, state environment, has become a little bit more complex, and in some areas, less predictable as well,” he added
While systems remain functional, authorities have had to adapt to rapidly changing conditions on the ground, the immigration expert added. “The UAE government has been in a super adaptive mode,” he said, noting that while immigration systems are still running, processing timelines for certain applications may be affected due to reduced capacity at embassies and consulates abroad.
This comes in line with the Dubai government’s Dh1 billion support package to protect jobs amid the ongoing war, which will be implemented starting Wednesday (April 1). The package is designed to help businesses and individuals navigate the current situation for the next three to six months.
The UAE’s job market remains healthy, as its workforce more than doubled between 2021 and 2025, growing by 101.76 per cent, according to official government figures. The country ranked first globally in employment growth, specialised talent availability, low labour disputes, and workforce expansion, according to the Dubai Media Office.
This was announced on Sunday during a UAE Cabinet meeting where more than 120 international agreements were approved across key sectors such as energy, investment, economy, diplomacy, and humanitarian fields.
No 'complete shutdown' of airspace
Sultan, the partner at Fragomen, said while there’s been a partial closure of the UAE’s airspace at certain points in time, it has not resulted in a complete shutdown. Major carriers, like Emirates, Etihad, and flydubai, have had to limit operations for safety reasons, but continue to fly in and out of the country.
As a result of this, Sultan said that organisations are adapting and planning movements more carefully, and often at short notice. From an employer’s standpoint, he said, there should be regular check-ins, like confirming their location, safety, and well-being. Personal details, like the employees’ nationality, visa status, and contact information, is also crucial to validate contingency plans and escalation protocols, he added.
“It's very important to really assess the current environment, understand which employees are inside the country versus which employees are outside the country, or where are the travel plans anticipated for the near future,” Sultan explained.
Hind Aldah is a business reporter based in Sharjah. In her spare time, you will find her playing classical guitar, painting amateur oil paintings, or crocheting the same old scarf that leads nowhere.
