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The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai have announced their closure amid the escalating regional conflict.
Services at the two facilities will not be provided until further notice, after the Department of State ordered non-emergency US government employees to leave the UAE due to the threat of armed conflict on March 3.
Meanwhile, for Americans without a valid US passport, the mission clarified arrangements would be made to provide passport services once security conditions permit.
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All other in-person consular services are also unavailable, including visa services for foreign citizens. For foreign passports currently held by the mission, it said it would make them available once security permits.
People have been urged to not approach the embassy or consulate for any reason right now. As the situation develops, the mission will be providing further details to keep citizens informed.
Earlier, the mission had encouraged Americans planning to leave the UAE to do via flights or through land borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia, which are currently open.
Meanwhile, those who are unable to leave the country or choose not to depart, the authority urged them to shelter in place at their residence, hotel, or other structure, stay away from windows, and leave only as necessary to obtain food, water, medications, and other essential items.
The US had previously issued a warning for its citizens residing across several countries in the Middle East currently affected by the US-Israel-Iran conflict, urging them to depart immediately via commercial means due to “serious safety risks”.
The State Department urged Americans to leave the following countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, Oman, Iraq ,Qatar, Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
In order for the embassy to know citizens are requesting assistance, they must complete the Crisis Intake Form and must not submit it more than once.
When planning to travel, read carefully the Travel Advisory to receive any country information and recent alerts.
