Emergency Relocation Services – Escaping Conflict

Emergency Relocation Support: Middle East Conflict

During periods of rapid change – either to circumstances or situations – an immediate and straightforward pathway from your current situation to a stable, secure one is vital. Rapid changes, such as conflict, political instability, and security risks, can necessitate swift mobility to protect your safety and security during crises and periods of uncertainty.

For clients leaving conflict zones or high-risk areas, reaching a neighbouring country safely is often the first critical step before pursuing longer-term relocation.

What if You’re Stuck in the Middle East

If you find yourself stuck in the UAE, Kuwait, Iran, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia or surrounding Gulf states in the Middle East, you may face any of the following circumstances:

• You have been advised to leave the Middle East immediately.
• You have been advised to move to a safe haven or country outside the immediate conflict area.
• You have not been advised to leave, but you are feeling unsafe or unsure amid the escalation in the Middle East.
• You do not want to risk escalation and want an exit plan organised, imminently.

If any of the above challenges fit your situation, or you simply want to understand your options, our global immigration team can help you take the next steps.

What are Your Immediate Emergency Relocation Options?

Emergency relocation requires quick decisions, practical planning, and a clear understanding of the immigration pathways available to you. At IAS, we guide clients through the immediate steps needed to leave safely and identify longer-term relocation options that suit personal circumstances.

Identifying Immediate Entry Options

The first step in any emergency relocation is determining where you can legally and realistically travel to on short notice. This may include visa-free destinations, visa-on-arrival countries, or locations with emergency entry arrangements.

Previous safe havens in the Middle East look less secure amid the conflict. The UAE has long served as a safe transit location, but is currently affected by the escalations. Due to the rapidly changing situation, travel guidance is changing quickly. Acting quickly to reach safer ground is the priority before deciding on onward travel. There are multiple options that exist for leaving the Middle East, including:

• Embassy Charter Flights to Your Home Country
• Private Charter Flights
• Commercial Airline Flights
• Overland or Air Travel to Neighbouring Countries

Embassy Charter Flights from Your Home Country

Embassy charter flights are running from the US, UK, India, and much of Europe. Typically, if you are a citizen of one of these countries, you can leave on one of these flights when available. You must register with your embassy to ensure you are notified of these flights. Charter flights are often unable to evacuate everyone immediately and are usually part of a phased evacuation. The government typically prioritises:

• Citizens of the operating embassy
• Vulnerable individuals, like families with children, the elderly and those who have urgent medical needs
• Dual nationals

Issues with these kinds of flights include delays or cancellations due to technical or airspace issues, as has already happened with UK and French inbound flights. Capacity could be another issue. Unless you are part of a priority group, you could be left waiting.

Private Charter Flights

Private charter flights are another option, but owing to the immediacy of the situation, the cost has ballooned. Reports show costs have doubled or tripled since the conflict began, and the option relies heavily on available funds. Some have grouped together to hire a larger private jet for countries like Turkey.

Prices for 6 people are quoted at around $50,000-100,000, or for 15 people, around $200,000. Similar costs have been quoted for London, Madrid or Lisbon, for example. However, due to significant demand, you could also be waiting days for this service, or potentially pay a higher price for extreme urgency.

Commercial Airline Flights

While commercial flights in the Middle East are not fully booked, they are severely limited and could be subject to major delays and cancellations. Muscat, Oman, is one of the primary locations for outbound repatriation flights, especially as other countries have closed their airspace. If you find an appropriate option, booking is advised.

​Overland or Air Travel to Neighbouring Countries

It is advisable to exit to the safest country you can reach. You should ensure you choose a visa-free country or ensure you have the correct permissions before travelling, so you are not turned away at the border. Options include mainland Europe, Asia and safer locations in the Middle East. It is important to review travel advice before choosing your destination. Many people have also embarked on long cross-border road travel.

Though flights and onward travel may be challenging with airport and airspace closures. Traditional international flight paths in the Middle East include major airports like:

• Istanbul
• Madrid
• London
• Frankfurt
• Paris
• Amsterdam
• Muscat
• Mumbai
• Singapore
• Bangkok

Wherever you go, we can help you assess the most viable routes and short and long-term solutions based on your nationality, passport strength, family situation, and urgency.

Coordinating Safe Exit and Transit

In emergency situations, logistics can be as critical as legal immigration advice. We can assist with practical relocation planning, including:

• Identifying the nearest accessible embassies or consulates for visa processing
• Advising on safe transit routes to neighbouring countries
• Coordinating documentation and urgent application submissions
• Supporting embassy appointment preparation

Temporary Accommodation and Settlement Support

Relocation does not end once you leave the country. Many individuals require immediate short-term arrangements while immigration applications are being processed. We can assist with guidance on:

• Short-term accommodation arrangements, including hotel bookings
• Temporary residency options in transit countries
• Local compliance requirements while awaiting longer-term approvals
• Planning next-stage relocation to a permanent destination

Exploring Citizenship and Residency Pathways

Once immediate safety is secured, we help evaluate longer-term immigration solutions. Depending on your circumstances, this may include:

• Citizenship by Descent pathways (if eligible)
• Residency-by-investment programmes
• Citizenship-by-investment options
• Skilled migration routes
• Family-based immigration
• Entrepreneur or business visas
• International protection programmes

Some countries offer accelerated pathways that may be viable during urgent situations, particularly if you have international business ties, investment capacity, or existing family connections abroad. Our team reviews globally available options and identifies which pathways are realistic within your timeframe.

Managing Finances and Assets Across Borders

During sudden relocation, financial access and asset management can become major concerns. We help clients think through the practical issues involved in moving wealth and maintaining financial stability across jurisdiction. Ensuring financial continuity is often a critical part of stabilising life after an emergency relocation. We help with:

• Accessing or transferring international bank accounts
• Managing assets or business interests abroad
• Understanding cross-border financial regulations
• Planning for tax and compliance considerations

A Structured Approach in Uncertain Times

Emergency relocation is complex, particularly when decisions must be made quickly. Our role is to provide a structured approach—assessing your options, prioritising immediate safety, and mapping out viable long-term immigration pathways.

If you are currently facing urgent relocation needs, we can help you evaluate the safest and most practical routes available based on your individual circumstances.

You can also explore our broader guide on International Relocation, which explains the standard relocation process and global mobility options in more detail.

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