UAE and Saudi Arabia Impose New Visa Restrictions on Algerians Amid Diplomatic Strains

March 11, 2025 – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia have recently introduced visa policies targeting Algerian nationals, igniting debate and speculation about underlying geopolitical tensions. These measures, emerging in early March 2025, signal a shift in relations between Algeria and two of the Gulf’s most influential states.

UAE Suspends Visas for Algerians

Reports circulating on X and other platforms indicate that the UAE has halted visa issuance for Algerians residing in Algeria. This decision appears rooted in a deepening diplomatic rift, exacerbated by what Emirati officials perceive as antagonistic political rhetoric and media campaigns emanating from Algiers. Posts on X suggest the UAE has compiled a “blacklist” of Algerian journalists, politicians, and ex-officials now barred from entering its territory, effectively sidelining many from attending high-profile events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The move echoes a 2020 UAE decision to suspend visas for citizens of 13 Muslim-majority countries, including Algeria, citing security concerns tied to terrorism and regional instability. Algeria’s proximity to conflict zones and its domestic unrest may have reignited these fears. Despite outreach from Algeria’s ambassador in Abu Dhabi, no resolution has been reported, leaving the visa ban’s duration—whether temporary or indefinite—unclear.

Saudi Arabia’s Mental Health Certificate Mandate

Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia has introduced a striking new requirement: Algerians applying for visas must now submit a mental health certificate. This policy, highlighted in posts on X, has drawn scrutiny for its singularity and lack of precedent. Saudi Arabia has advanced its mental health framework since enacting the Mental Health Law in 2014, yet this visa stipulation appears unique to Algerians and unexplained by official channels. Critics on social media have labeled it stigmatizing, questioning whether it reflects broader diplomatic friction or an isolated administrative quirk.

A Backdrop of Geopolitical Friction

These visa restrictions unfold against a complex regional tapestry. Algeria severed ties with the UAE in 2023, a rupture posts on X link to the current ban, though specifics remain murky without official confirmation. The UAE’s alignment with Western security interests and its rivalry with Algeria over influence in North Africa may underpin its hardline stance. Saudi Arabia’s move, meanwhile, could signal solidarity with the UAE or stem from separate bilateral strains, though no direct evidence ties the mental health certificate to geopolitical motives.

The Red Sea’s strategic importance—heightened by Sudan’s talks with Russia for a naval base—adds another layer. Gulf states may view Algeria’s positions on regional security, including its historical non-alignment, as misaligned with their own. For Algerians, these restrictions limit access to economic hubs and religious sites, notably ahead of Umrah and Hajj seasons in Saudi Arabia.

Implications and Uncertainty

The UAE and Saudi measures could disrupt travel, trade, and cultural exchange, further isolating Algeria amid its domestic challenges. While some X users report the UAE ban as absolute, others suggest exceptions persist for Algerians with Gulf residency, though this remains unverified. Saudi Arabia’s policy, if broadly enforced, may complicate visa processes for thousands, given the lack of clarity on certification standards.

As of March 11, 2025, neither country has issued a comprehensive statement, leaving analysts to piece together intent from fragmented sources and social media sentiment. The restrictions underscore a volatile moment in Arab geopolitics, with Algeria’s relations with the Gulf at a crossroads.