New Zealand changes UAE travel advice as Dubai visitor numbers climb
Here’s what Kiwi travellers need to know before flying through the region
DUBAI – New Zealand has eased its official travel advice for the UAE, removing its previous warning against non-essential travel to the country.
The SafeTravel advisory was lowered from Level 3 to Level 2 on Tuesday, meaning New Zealanders travelling to or transiting through the UAE are now advised to exercise increased caution rather than avoid non-essential journeys. The update comes as Dubai records a steady recovery in international visitor numbers and hotel activity.
SafeTravel continues to monitor the wider Middle East security situation, with separate higher-level advice remaining in place for sensitive areas.
Updated advice
Under New Zealand’s four-level travel advisory system, Level 1 calls for normal safety precautions, Level 2 advises increased caution, Level 3 advises against non-essential travel and Level 4 advises against travel.
The UAE is now at Level 2 because of the unpredictable regional security situation, including risks linked to terrorism and possible drone and missile attacks. SafeTravel has separately retained a Level 4 warning for the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz and other sensitive maritime areas.
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— Dr. Richard Kay (@NZinUAE) September 22, 2026
The New Zealand Government has lowered its travel advice for the UAE to Level 2 – Exercise increased caution.
New Zealanders can once again travel to or transit through the UAE. Travellers should remain vigilant and continue to… pic.twitter.com/52oERqLqPH
For travellers planning a UAE visit, SafeTravel recommends comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for medical evacuation by air. It also advises passengers to check with their insurers about coverage for delays or disruptions connected with the Middle East security situation.
The New Zealand advisory also notes that travel conditions can change quickly if the regional security situation deteriorates, potentially leading to flight disruptions or airspace closures.
Dubai tourism recovery
The change comes as Dubai's tourism sector continues to rebuild momentum. Dubai welcomed approximately 869,000 international overnight visitors in August 2026, its strongest monthly figure since February, taking international visitation during the first eight months of the year to 6.97 million. Dubai recorded double-digit month-on-month visitor growth from March onwards.
Hotel occupancy also reached 66 percent in August, compared with 36 percent in March. The emirate had almost 149,000 hotel rooms by the end of August, while hotels recorded 21.61 million occupied room nights during the first eight months of 2026.
Western Europe accounted for 20 percent of Dubai's international visitors between January and August, followed by South Asia at 17 percent, the GCC at 16 percent, and CIS and Eastern Europe at 14 percent.
For travellers using Dubai as a connecting hub, Dubai International Airport handled 31.5 million passengers during the first half of 2026. By the end of June, DXB was connected to 217 destinations across 99 countries through almost 50 international airlines.
UAE-New Zealand travel
Emirates continues to provide a major air link between New Zealand and Dubai. Its current schedule shows seven weekly flights between Auckland and Dubai, with the route operated by Airbus A380 aircraft. The airline also operates services connecting Dubai and Christchurch, with its current schedule showing Airbus A380 operations on the route.
The revised travel advice is therefore relevant not only to visitors staying in the UAE but also to New Zealanders using Dubai as an international transit point. Travellers should continue checking airline schedules and official government advice before departure, particularly because regional operating conditions can change at short notice.
Travel connections are also supported by expanding economic links between New Zealand and the UAE. The New Zealand-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force on August 28, 2025, establishing New Zealand's first free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country.
Under the agreement, 98.5 percent of New Zealand goods exports gained duty-free access to the UAE market immediately, with duty-free coverage set to rise to 99 percent. Key New Zealand exports include dairy, industrial products, meat, horticultural products and travel services.