26 Countries Anticipate Visa Processing Delays During Ramadan and Eid 2026
During Ramadan and Eid 2026, visa and immigration processing is anticipated to slow down in the Middle East, North Africa, and some areas of Asia. Here are important office hours and anticipated shutdown dates for travelers, international employees, and employers.
This is crucial information to have if you intend to apply for a visa, renew your work permit, or process your residence in March 2026.
Government offices in up to 26 Middle Eastern, North African, Turkish, and some Asian nations will operate fewer hours during Ramadan and may be closed for several days in observance of Eid al-Fitr. Usually, that results in a slower immigration processing time.
This is not uncommon for employers and international nationals. It takes place annually. However, schedules might go longer than anticipated, particularly at the end of Ramadan.
In 2026, when is Ramadan?
In 2026, it is anticipated that Ramadan would start on February 18 or 19 and end on March 19 or 20.
Each nation will independently validate the precise dates, which are contingent upon the moon sighting. Depending on the moon, Eid al-Fitr, which signifies the end of Ramadan, will probably fall between March 19 and 21.
The largest visa delays typically occur during the last week.
Why Ramadan Causes a Slowdown in Immigration Processing:
Daily working hours are frequently shortened in government workplaces.
Online systems can shut down sooner than normal.
There are fewer employees accessible to provide in-person services.
This may have an impact on those seeking visas, those with work permits, and employers who sponsor foreign employees.
Approvals of residence permits
Processing of work visas
The issue of immigration cards
Attestation and stamping of documents
Allow extra time if your deadline is in late March.
Visa Delays for Ramadan: Nation-by-Country
Here is a brief overview. Most places close for a few days during Eid al-Fitr (about March 20) and hours change during Ramadan.
This is a basic summary of the hours of operation and anticipated closures.
1. Algeria
Due to shortened hours, Algerian visa and residency permit processing may lag during Ramadan. During the days of Eid closure, expect a halt in document stamping and approvals.
8:00 to 14:00 in the south and 8:00 to 15:30 in the north are the working hours.
Anticipated Eid closure: about March 20–23
2. Azerbaijan
Holiday overlap may cause longer-than-normal delays in Azerbaijani immigration and visa procedures. Mid- to late-March applications might require more time.
Closed: Nowruz, March 20–26
Additional closures: perhaps from March 27 to 30 for Ramadan, and from March 20 to 21
3. Bangladesh
Work visa and permit renewals may be impacted by reduced hours and many closure days. Plan for a slower turnaround in March.
Hours of operation: 9:00 to 15:30
March 17 and March 19–23 are the closure dates.
4. Bahrain
Particularly near the holiday week, shorter Ramadan hours and Eid vacations may cause delays in residency permit and visa stamping procedures.
Anticipated Eid closure: about March 20–23
5. Brunei
Early daily shutdowns may cause immigration and work permit approvals to lag. It is best to submit applications earlier in the day.
Closure most likely: Ramadan 1st day
Early closing: during Ramadan, at approximately 14:00
Closures may occur on February 19, February 23, and approximately March 21.
6. The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire
During certain closing days, the processing of visas may be suspended. Anticipate minor setbacks throughout the Eid season.
Closed for Ramadan on March 17.
Closure for Eid: March 19 or 20
7. Egypt
File movement is frequently slower on shorter workdays. Applications for work permits and residence permits may take longer than expected.
Hours of operation: 9:00 to 14:00
Anticipated Eid closure: about March 20–23
8. Indonesia
Early system cut-offs may cause delays in the application of work visas and stay permits during Ramadan, even if offices are still open.
Online platforms often shut down at 15:00.
Submissions to ITAS may cease between 14:30 and 15:00.
9. Iraq
During Ramadan, immigration procedures in Iraq may slow down, and during the Eid holidays, they may completely stop. Be prepared for lengthy timelines.
Hours of operation: 8:00 to 14:00
Anticipated Eid closure: about March 20–24
10. Kurdistan in Iraq
Holiday closures and shortened working hours may cause delays in the issuance of residency cards and visa approvals.
Hours of operation: 8:00 to 14:30
Anticipated Eid closure: about March 20–24
11. Jordan
Work permits and Jordan visa renewals may be impacted by shortened schedules. Usually, things calm down in the final week of Ramadan.
Hours of operation: 9:30 to 15:00
Eid closure is anticipated to occur between March 19 and March 24.
12. Due to the closure of Kenya's immigration offices on Eid, visa processing may be temporarily suspended over the holiday.
Eid closure will be determined by lunar sighting.
13. Kuwait
Due to Kuwait's shortened workdays and Eid closures, applications for residency and work visas may be delayed.
Hours of operation: 9:30 to 14:00
Anticipated Eid closure: about March 20–23 or 24
14. The country of Lebanon
Shorter office schedules may result in longer processing periods for Lebanon visas for permits and renewals.
Hours of operation: 9:00 to 14:00, with Fridays being shorter
Anticipated Eid closure: about March 20–23
15. Mauritania
Visa-related services will be temporarily suspended due to full office closures during Eid.
Hours of operation: 9:00 to 16:00
March 19 and 20 are closed.
16. Morocco
Anticipate a brief pause during Eid and reduced application handling during Ramadan.
Hours of operation: 9:00 to 15:00
Anticipated Eid closure: about March 20–23
17. Oman
Processing of Oman residency and work visas may be considerably slowed down during the holiday week.
Hours of operation: 9:00 to 14:00
Anticipated Eid closure: about March 20–24
18. The nation of Pakistan
During the Eid holidays, immigration and visa services will be suspended, and processing will be slowed in the days before.
Hours of operation: 9:00 to 15:00, with Fridays being shorter
From March 21 to March 24, closed
19. Qatar
Applications filed near Eid may not be processed until offices reopen for the Qatar visa.
Hours of operation: 9:00 to 14:00
Anticipated shutdown for Eid: starting on March 18
Reopening: approximately on March 24
20. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Government operations in Saudi Arabia usually slow down during Ramadan, and during Eid, all services are suspended.
Hours of operation: 10:00 to 15:00
Anticipated Eid closure: about March 20–24
21. Senegal
Depending on the verified date, visa and immigration services can experience a brief halt during Eid.
Hours of operation: 9:00 to 16:00
Closure for Eid: March 19 or 20
22. Sierra Leone
Visa and immigration services will stop on Eid, resulting in little delays, although regular hours will not alter.
Regular hours: Keep going during Ramadan.
Closed: Eid
23. Singapore
Given that the holiday falls on a weekend, there shouldn't be any further disruptions to immigration services.
Hari Raya Puasa: weekend of March 21, 2026
No more closures are anticipated.
24. The country of Tunisia
Timelines for processing visas may be prolonged by shorter Ramadan hours.
Hours of operation: 8:00 to 14:30, with Fridays being shorter
Anticipated Eid closure: about March 20–23
25. Turkey
Significant delays in immigration are not expected at this time because no particular closures linked to Ramadan have been declared.
There are currently no anticipated closures of government offices.
26. The United Arab Emirates
Work permit approvals and resident visa procedures may be slowed, particularly in late March, by shortened Ramadan hours and Eid holidays.
Hours of operation: 9:00 to 14:30, with Fridays being shorter
Anticipated closure for Eid: around March 19 or 20
Probably March 23 or 24 for the reopening.
Implications for Foreign Workers and Travelers
This is the useful lesson. Apply as soon as possible if you plan to apply for a work visa, residence permit, entrance clearance, or renewal in March 2026. Don't wait until the week before Eid is almost over.
During Ramadan, processing lines frequently increase. Additionally, applications just cease after offices close for Eid al-Fitr.
This is the moment for companies who sponsor foreign nationals to examine cases that are still pending and make necessary timing adjustments.
Last Words of Advice
In many nations, Eid and Ramadan are significant religious holidays. Closures and reduced hours are anticipated and planned.
You can save tension if you account for this in your immigration timeframe.
The basic rule is to move more quickly today if your deadline is in late March 2026.
Back to Blog
Visa guide
16 Feb 2026
