Stuck in the Middle East or Don’t Know Whether It’s Safe to Return There?

MIDDLE EAST | TRAVEL & IMMIGRATION ALERT

In recent days, Iran’s retaliatory air and drone strikes have targeted US consulates and facilities in Dubai and Riyadh, as well as a British RAF base in Cyprus. Retaliatory strikes have so far landed in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Cyprus and Israel. 

In light of ongoing regional developments, global government’s have updated travel advice for parts of the Middle East. It is recommended to consult the latest information from your home country if travelling or living in the Middle East. Travel advice can change quickly.

In this post we look at what to do if:

• You are stuck in the Middle East
• You don’t know whether it’s safe to return to the Middle East or wish to avoid it

What to do if You’re Stuck in the Middle East?

Tell Your Consulate You Are in the Middle East & Review Consular Advice

First of all, it’s essential to check the travel advice and let your government know you are there, for the country you are in, in the Middle East.

• https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp – Japan’s Overseas Residential Registration system enabling Japanese nationals abroad to notify the government of their location for consular assistance during crises.
• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice – UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office portal where British nationals can check travel advice and follow links to register their presence during crises in affected countries.
• https://step.state.gov – U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), allowing American citizens abroad to register with the nearest embassy or consulate to receive security alerts and emergency assistance.
• https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration – Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) service for notifying the government of your presence overseas so officials can contact you during emergencies.
• https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fildariane – France’s Ariane travel registration portal, enabling French citizens travelling abroad to receive security alerts and consular support in crisis situations.
• https://krisenvorsorgeliste.diplo.de – Germany’s ELEFAND crisis preparedness list where German nationals abroad can register their location for emergency notifications and evacuation coordination.
• https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/reisadvies – Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel advice portal where Dutch citizens can notify authorities of their travel and receive updates during crises.
• https://www.dfa.ie/travel – Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs travel registration and advisory site for Irish citizens abroad to receive safety updates and embassy contact.
• https://www.smartraveller.gov.au – Australian government travel advisory and crisis portal where Australians abroad can register and receive alerts from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
• https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/register – New Zealand SafeTravel registration system allowing citizens overseas to register their presence so officials can contact them in emergencies.
• https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg – Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs eRegister system where Singaporeans travelling or living abroad can register their trip for emergency notifications.

How This May Affect You

Current disruptions may impact:

• Planned travel to or from the region
• Visa validity and entry timelines
• Residence permit renewals
• Ongoing immigration applications
• Business travel and employee mobility

IAS Support

IAS remains available to provide guidance on:

• Travel risk considerations
• Visa and immigration implications
• Contingency planning for employers and employees
• Urgent mobility and compliance matters

If you are concerned about how the current government advice may affect your travel or immigration status, please contact our team for tailored support

If You Are Abroad and Concerned About Returning to the Middle East

Many individuals from affected countries including Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and neighbouring states are currently in the United States, the United Kingdom or Europe on temporary visas.

For those who are hesitant to return home due to security concerns or travel disruption, it may be possible to extend immigration status rather than departing immediately.

The options include:

• Extending status as a visitor
• Applying for a visa via a third country
• Applying for protected status

Extending Visitor Status

In several jurisdictions, visitors can apply to extend their stay if circumstances prevent departure.

• In the United States, individuals on B-1/B-2 visitor visas may request an extension of stay provided the application is submitted before the authorised stay expires. Applicants must typically demonstrate a legitimate reason for the extension and show that they remain financially self-sufficient.
• The United Kingdom also allows certain extensions or status adjustments in exceptional circumstances, particularly where travel disruption or safety concerns affect the ability to return home. The cost of extending a Visitor visa (if applicable) is £1000 and extends your stay for up to 6 months. 
• Within the Schengen area, short-stay visas may sometimes be extended under “force majeure” or humanitarian grounds if travel becomes impossible.

Each case is highly fact-specific and relies on the exact location you are set to return to, and the travel advice given. Remaining in a country without lawful status can lead to serious immigration consequences, including future visa refusals, so it is best practice to speak to an immigration attorney about the most appropriate options for your situation. 

Applying for Visas Through Third Countries

One consequence of escalating conflict is disruption to embassy operations. Several embassies in the region have already closed or reduced staff due to security threats. When consulates suspend operations, visa applicants may be able to apply as third-country nationals in neighbouring countries.

For example:

• Iranian nationals often apply for visas in Turkey, Armenia or the UAE
• Lebanese applicants frequently apply through Cyprus or the Gulf
• Iraqi nationals commonly apply through Jordan or the UAE

Current instability means applicants should carefully assess whether these destinations remain operational and safe before travelling.

Global visa waiting times are highly variable. Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, and for which country – you could face months of waiting. 

Applying for Protected Status

Individuals already in the UK, US or Europe who cannot safely return to their home country due to conflict may be able to apply for asylum or another form of protection.

• In the United Kingdom, recent changes mean that many successful applicants are now granted “temporary refugee permission to stay” for 30 months, rather than the longer leave previously issued.
• Similarly, in the United States, individuals may apply for asylum if they fear persecution, or potentially benefit from Temporary Protected Status (TPS) if their country is formally designated due to conflict or instability.
• Across the European Union, countries can grant temporary protection or subsidiary protection to people fleeing war, as seen following the invasion of Ukraine.

In practice, this means that someone from a conflict-affected state who is already in the UK, US or EU, for example on a visitor or student visa, may be able to apply for protection if returning home would place them at risk, though each application will depend on the individual’s circumstances and the evolving situation in their home country. Contact IAS for support if this is your situation.

Approximate Processing Times (2026) for Applications Submitted from Overseas Consulates

Note that with a rise in applications and assistance required at consulates in the Middle East, as well as neighboring consulates, waiting times could increase. 

Many countries offer fast-track facilities (at certain embassies) prioritising your application for a decision in as little as a week, or even 48 hours.