If you are planning a visa application, work permit renewal or residence processing in March 2026, this is something important you need to know.

As many as 26 countries across the Middle East, North Africa, Türkiye and parts of Asia, government offices will work shorter hours during Ramadan and may close for several days for Eid al-Fitr. That usually means slower immigration processing.

For foreign nationals and employers, this is not unusual. It happens every year. But timelines can stretch more than expected, especially around the end of Ramadan.

When Is Ramadan in 2026?

Ramadan in 2026 is expected to begin on February 18 or 19 and end on March 19 or 20.

The exact dates depend on the lunar sighting, and each country will confirm them separately. Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, will likely fall around March 19 to 21, depending on the moon.

That final week is usually when the biggest visa delays happen.

Why Immigration Processing Slows Down

During Ramadan:

• Government offices often reduce daily working hours
• Online systems may close earlier than usual
• Fewer staff are available for in-person services

For visa applicants, work permit holders and companies sponsoring foreign workers, this can affect:

• Residence permit approvals
• Work visa processing
• Immigration card issuance
• Document attestation and stamping

If your deadline falls in late March, build in extra time.

Ramadan Visa Delays: Country-by-Country

Here’s a simple rundown. Hours shift during Ramadan, and most spots shut for a few days around Eid al-Fitr (around March 20).

Here is a simple breakdown of operating hours and expected closures.

1. Algeria

Algeria Visa and residence permit processing may slow down during Ramadan due to shorter hours. Expect a pause in approvals and document stamping during Eid closure days.

• Working hours: 8:00 to 15:30 in the north, 8:00 to 14:00 in the south
• Expected Eid closure: Around March 20 to March 23

2. Azerbaijan

With overlapping holidays, Azerbaijan immigration and visa processing could face longer delays than usual. Applications submitted in mid to late March may take extra time.

• Closed: March 20 to 26 for Nowruz
• Additional closures: Around March 20 to 21 and possibly March 27 to 30 for Ramadan

3. Bangladesh

Reduced hours and multiple closure days may affect work visa and permit renewals. Plan for a slower turnaround in March.

• Working hours: 9:00 to 15:30
• Closures: March 17 and March 19 to 23

4. Bahrain

Shorter Ramadan hours and Eid holidays may delay visa stamping and residence permit services, especially close to the holiday week.

• Expected Eid closure: Around March 20 to March 23

5. Brunei

Early daily shutdowns can slow work pass and immigration approvals. Submitting applications earlier in the day is advisable.

• Likely closure: First day of Ramadan
• Early closing: Around 14:00 during Ramadan
• Possible closures: February 19, February 23, and around March 21

6. Côte d’Ivoire

Visa processing may pause during these closure days. Expect slight delays around the Eid period.

• Closed: March 17 for Ramadan
• Eid closure: March 19 or 20

7. Egypt

Shorter working days often mean slower file movement. Residence and work permit applications may take longer than standard timelines.

• Working hours: 9:00 to 14:00
• Expected Eid closure: Around March 20 to March 23

8. Indonesia

Even if offices remain open, early system cut-offs can delay stay permit and work visa submissions during Ramadan.

• Online systems: Often close around 15:00
• ITAS submissions: May stop between 14:30 and 15:00

9. Iraq

In Iraq, immigration processing may slow throughout Ramadan and stop fully during Eid holidays. Plan for extended timelines.

• Working hours: 8:00 to 14:00
• Expected Eid closure: Around March 20 to March 24

10. Iraqi Kurdistan

Reduced daily hours and holiday closures can delay visa approvals and residence card issuance.

• Working hours: 8:00 to 14:30
• Expected Eid closure: Around March 20 to March 24

11. Jordan

Shortened schedules may affect Jordan visa renewals and work permits. The last week of Ramadan is typically slower.

• Working hours: 9:30 to 15:00
• Expected Eid closure: Around March 19 to March 24

12. Kenya

Kenya’s Immigration offices will close on Eid, which may temporarily halt visa processing during the holiday period.

• Eid closure: To be confirmed based on lunar sighting

13. Kuwait

Kuwait has reduced daily hours, and combined with Eid closures, may delay work visa and residency applications.

• Working hours: 9:30 to 14:00
• Expected Eid closure: Around March 20 to March 23 or 24

14. Lebanon

Lebanon visa processing times for permits and renewals may increase due to shorter office schedules.

• Working hours: 9:00 to 14:00, shorter on Friday
• Expected Eid closure: Around March 20 to March 23

15. Mauritania

Full office closures during Eid will temporarily pause visa-related services.

• Working hours: 9:00 to 16:00
• Closed: March 19 and 20

16. Morocco

Expect slower application handling during Ramadan and a brief halt during Eid.

• Working hours: 9:00 to 15:00
• Expected Eid closure: Around March 20 to March 23

17. Oman

Oman Work visa and residence processing may slow significantly during the holiday week.

• Working hours: 9:00 to 14:00
• Expected Eid closure: Around March 20 to March 24

18. Pakistan

Immigration and visa services will pause during Eid holidays, with slower processing in the days leading up to it.

• Working hours: 9:00 to 15:00, shorter on Friday
• Closed: March 21 to March 24

19. Qatar

For the Qatar visa, applications submitted close to Eid may remain pending until offices reopen.

• Working hours: 9:00 to 14:00
• Expected Eid closure: From March 18
• Reopening: Around March 24

20. Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, Ramadan typically slows down government workflows, with a complete suspension of services during Eid.

• Working hours: 10:00 to 15:00
• Expected Eid closure: Around March 20 to March 24

21. Senegal

Visa and immigration services may briefly pause during Eid, depending on the confirmed date.

• Working hours: 9:00 to 16:00
• Eid closure: March 19 or 20

22. Sierra Leone

While daily hours remain unchanged, visa and immigration services will pause on Eid, causing minor delays.

• Regular hours: Continue during Ramadan
• Closed: On Eid

23. Singapore

Since the holiday falls on a weekend, immigration services are unlikely to experience any additional disruption.

• Hari Raya Puasa: March 21, 2026 (weekend)
• No additional closures expected

24. Tunisia

Shorter Ramadan hours may extend visa processing timelines.

• Working hours: 8:00 to 14:30, shorter on Friday
• Expected Eid closure: Around March 20 to March 23

25. Türkiye

At this stage, no special Ramadan-related closures have been announced, so major immigration delays are not anticipated.

• No government office closures are currently expected

26. United Arab Emirates

Reduced Ramadan hours and Eid holidays may slow work permit approvals and residence visa processing, especially in late March.

• Working hours: 9:00 to 14:30, shorter on Friday
• Expected Eid closure: Around March 19 or 20
• Reopening: Likely March 23 or 24

What This Means for Travellers and Foreign Workers

Here is the practical takeaway. If you are applying for a work visa, residence permit, entry clearance or renewal in March 2026, submit early. Do not wait until the final week before Eid.

Processing queues often grow during Ramadan. And once offices close for Eid al-Fitr, applications simply pause.

For employers sponsoring foreign nationals, this is the time to review pending cases and adjust timelines.

Final Advice

Ramadan and Eid are important religious observances across many countries. Reduced hours and closures are expected and planned.

If you factor this into your immigration timeline, you avoid stress.

The simple rule is this: if your deadline is in late March 2026, move faster now.

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