Visa and immigration processing is likely to get delayed across 26 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Türkiye and parts of Asia in the coming weeks due to Ramadan working-hour reductions and Eid al-Fitr public holidays.
Officials in many countries typically operate on shorter office hours during Ramadan, and some services may pause for several days around Eid.
That combination often leads to longer queues and delayed approvals, especially for applications submitted close to the end of Ramadan.
Ramadan in 2026 is expected to begin around 18–19 February and end around 19–20 March, depending on moon sighting. Eid al-Fitr is likely to fall around 19–21 March, again subject to local confirmation. The last week of Ramadan and the Eid holiday stretch are typically the most disruption-prone period.
The list of countries where reduced hours and Eid closures may affect processing includes: Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Tunisia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates.
While the extent of delays will vary by country and city, the overall pattern is consistent: applications lodged late may not move until offices fully reopen after Eid.
Applicants planning March 2026 submissions are advised to apply earlier than usual, avoid waiting for the final week before Eid, and expect slower turnaround times even if offices remain technically open.
Employers sponsoring foreign workers may also need to adjust onboarding and renewal timelines to avoid last-minute disruptions.
