Visa Changes May 2026: Dubai Investor Visa, Hajj Restrictions, US Asylum Fees & ETIAS Confirmed

Quieter Than Spring, but Four Stories That Matter

After a chaotic Q1 - UK eVisas, EES going fully live, US travel ban expansion - May 2026 is a calmer month for visa policy. But four confirmed changes matter for travellers and applicants, and one major fee confirmation lands for visa-exempt visitors to Europe. Here is everything that changed, verified against official government sources.

Dubai: AED 750,000 Property Floor Removed for Two-Year Investor Visa (1 May 2026)

The Dubai Land Department confirmed on 1 May 2026 that the AED 750,000 (~USD 204,000) minimum property value requirement for the two-year property investor residence visa has been removed for sole owners. If the property is solely owned by the applicant and fully registered, any property value qualifies.

Joint owners must each hold a minimum share of AED 400,000 in the property to qualify. This is a structural change from the previous regime, where eligibility was tied to a fixed property value rather than per-owner share.

Who benefits:

• Mid-market buyers who own studio or one-bedroom apartments in emerging districts (Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai South, International City)
• Co-owning couples or family members who can now combine qualifying shares
• Owners of off-plan or fractional-value units that did not previously meet the threshold

The two-year investor visa is renewable and allows the holder to sponsor immediate family members. It is separate from the 10-year Golden Visa, which retains its higher property thresholds (AED 2 million and above).

This is the most significant change to UAE residency-by-investment in several years. The shift from a fixed price floor to an ownership-based test signals a broader move toward valuing committed ownership over capital deployment.

Source: Khaleej Times - Dubai property investor visa rules

Saudi Arabia: Makkah Closed to Non-Hajj Visa Holders (April-June 2026)

Saudi authorities have implemented the annual pre-Hajj restrictions, which directly affect anyone planning to travel to the Kingdom in May or early June.

Key dates for 2026:

What this means for non-pilgrims: Tourist, visit, business, and transit visa holders cannot enter Makkah during the restricted window. There are no exceptions, even for short stopovers. Saudi residents and GCC nationals also need a Makkah entry permit.

If you are travelling to Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa during this window, plan your itinerary around Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, or the Red Sea coast. Madinah remains accessible to tourist visa holders, but expect heavier crowds and tighter security as the Hajj approaches.

The restrictions exist for crowd control and safety - over a million pilgrims gather in Makkah during Hajj, and ambient temperatures regularly exceed 45 degrees Celsius. Unauthorised attempts to enter Makkah on a non-Hajj visa carry fines and the risk of deportation.

Source: Khaleej Times - Saudi Arabia Hajj 2026 rules

ETIAS: EUR 20 Fee Confirmed, Launch Targeted for Q4 2026

The European Commission has officially confirmed the ETIAS travel authorisation fee at EUR 20, up from the originally proposed EUR 7. The European Union cited higher-than-anticipated operating and cybersecurity costs as the reason for the increase.

Key facts:

• Cost: EUR 20 per application
• Free for: Travellers under 18 and over 70
• Validity: Three years, or until the linked passport expires (whichever comes first)
• Coverage: Multiple stays of up to 90 days per 180-day period
• Launch target: Q4 2026
• Mandatory from: Approximately April 2027 (after a six-month transitional period)

ETIAS is required for visa-exempt nationals entering the 30 European countries using the system - the 29 Schengen countries plus Cyprus. Affected travellers include passport holders from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Singapore, UAE, South Korea, and 50+ other visa-exempt countries.

You cannot apply yet. The portal opens when the system goes live. With EES (the Entry/Exit System) now fully operational across all 29 Schengen countries since 10 April, the main technical blocker for ETIAS has been removed - so a firm launch date announcement is expected in the coming months.

We will update our ETIAS preparation guide the moment a confirmed launch date is published.

Source: European Commission - ETIAS

US: Asylum Fee Provisions Take Effect 29 May 2026

A new regulatory provision under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces annual asylum-related fees, with consequences for applicants who fail to pay. The provisions linked to asylum processing come into force on 29 May 2026.

This affects asylum applicants specifically and does not apply to tourist, business, student, or work visa applicants. If you have a pending asylum case or are preparing to file, monitor USCIS guidance closely as fee schedules and payment processes are finalised. Failure to pay annual fees may result in case dismissal or other adverse consequences under the new rules.

The broader $250 Visa Integrity Fee on most nonimmigrant visa categories - signed into law in July 2025 - remains pending implementation. As of early May 2026, the Bureau of Consular Affairs has not yet begun collecting it. The implementation deadline is 30 September 2026, so it could begin any month.

Source: USCIS Newsroom

US Visa Bulletin: May 2026 - All Employment Categories on Chart A

The State Department's May 2026 Visa Bulletin shows minimal forward movement across employment-based categories after several months of advancement. USCIS has confirmed that all employment-based preference categories must use Chart A (Final Action Dates) to determine filing eligibility in May 2026.

What this means for applicants:

• I-485 Adjustment of Status filings will use the slower-moving Final Action Dates chart
• Wait times are typically longer under Chart A than under the Dates for Filing chart
• Indian and Chinese applicants in EB-2 and EB-3 categories are particularly affected

Diversity Visa note: The DV-2026 program year of entitlement ends on 30 September 2026 for all registered applicants. If you are selected, you must complete consular processing or adjustment of status before that date.

Source: Travel.state.gov - May 2026 Visa Bulletin

Reminder: UK ETA Now Fully Enforced

A recap, since this took effect in late February: every visa-exempt traveller to the UK now needs an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding a UK-bound carrier. The GBP 20 ETA is checked by airlines and ferry operators at the gate. Without one, you will be denied boarding.

If you are travelling to the UK in May 2026 from the US, EU, Canada, Australia, GCC, or other visa-exempt countries - and have not been since the rule changed - apply for the ETA at least 72 hours before travel. Most are approved within minutes, but the official guidance allows up to three working days.

The ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires (whichever comes first), and covers multiple short visits during that period.

Source: GOV.UK - Get an ETA to visit the UK

What to Watch in June 2026

• US Visa Integrity Fee - The $250 fee on most nonimmigrant visa categories has a 30 September 2026 implementation deadline. Collection could begin any month.
• ETIAS firm launch date - With EES fully operational, the EU is expected to confirm a precise ETIAS go-live date.
• Saudi Hajj wrap-up - Makkah typically reopens to non-Hajj visitors in early June, after the Hajj season concludes.
• Schengen processing time updates - Embassies traditionally publish refreshed estimates ahead of the European summer travel peak.
• UK eVisa stabilisation - Three months in, watch for processing-time data on whether the digital switchover has improved or slowed turnaround.

All information is sourced from official government websites and verified as of 4 May 2026. Visa policies can change at short notice - always check the official embassy or government website for your destination before applying or travelling.