Fear Grows Among Egyptians in UAE Over Residency Cancellations

Egyptians living and working in the United Arab Emirates are increasingly worried about their residency status after several workers reported that their permits were unexpectedly cancelled while they were visiting Egypt.

The cancellations have reportedly left some employees unable to return to their jobs in the UAE. In several cases, workers said they were given no explanation by their employers or authorities.

Residency cancellations raise concerns

One Egyptian schoolteacher said his residency was cancelled while he was on annual leave in Egypt. Another worker discovered the cancellation while preparing to travel from Cairo to Abu Dhabi, bringing an eight-year career in the UAE to an abrupt end.

Other Egyptians have described similar experiences online, creating growing anxiety among expatriates. Some workers and business owners are reportedly reconsidering travel to Egypt because they fear they may be unable to return.

There are also reports that a new Police Clearance Certificate requirement for Egyptian work permits could complicate job changes and travel. However, no official UAE policy change affecting the residency rights of Egyptian nationals has been announced.

Large Egyptian community at stake

The issue affects a substantial expatriate population. The Egyptian diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi estimates that around 1.3 million Egyptians were living and working in the UAE by the end of 2024.

Their economic importance extends beyond the UAE. Egypt received about $43.1 billion in remittances from Egyptians abroad during the first 11 months of the 2025-26 fiscal year, highlighting the importance of expatriate income to the Egyptian economy.

Egypt and the UAE have maintained close political and economic relations for years, with the UAE also among Egypt’s major investors. However, the two countries have differed over some regional issues, including the conflict in Sudan.

For now, the reported residency cancellations remain a source of uncertainty rather than evidence of a formal change in UAE policy. Egyptian workers are nevertheless increasingly concerned about whether travelling outside the UAE could put their jobs and residency at risk.