the middle east: navigating mobility in uncertain times (part two)

For organisations with impacted employees in the Middle East, the present crisis brings extra uncertainty, disruption and greater responsibility for employee wellbeing. HR and mobility teams must act fast to safeguard people and keep operations running, despite limited information and sudden changes. Now more than ever, a well-planned, proactive response is vital. Building on part one of this blog, where we focused on duty of care and strategic approaches, this post shares real-time insights from our supplier network on the ground.

immigration

Immigration and work authorisation conditions across the region remain highly fluid. Visa processing times, right-to-work requirements and policy interpretation may change quickly and with little notice. In some locations, governments may implement temporary measures such as extensions of legal stay, relaxed documentation requirements, or limited suspension of work authorisation rules. Entry, exit and border crossing conditions can also shift rapidly, making it essential to confirm the status of specific ports of entry with local authorities before travel.

Recommendations for employees located in the Middle East

• Stay informed and connected during this challenging time.
• Closely monitor government and embassy communications and follow official instructions.
• Where possible, register with the relevant embassy or consulate to receive direct alerts and emergency support.
• Those requiring emergency travel documents should contact their nearest consular post.
• Dual nationals should check guidance for each nationality, as requirements may differ.

Recommendations for organisations with employees in the Middle East

• Proactive coordination is key.
• Maintain clear communication with foreign national employees.
• Encourage embassy registration among the impacted employee population.
• Ensure employee records of nationality, visa status, dependents and emergency contacts are up to date.

housing

For employees already in temporary or permanent housing, it remains essential that all local authority guidance is followed, including any instructions relating to movement, safety precautions, public services, or emergency procedures, while actively monitoring conditions and adjusting delivery on a day-by-day basis. Where disruption is prolonged, extensions to temporary housing may be required, which in turn can place additional pressure on short-term accommodation availability.

At Cartus, we are starting to see an increase in the number of requests in the Middle East, to support evacuation crisis management. In addition, we are starting to see increased housing demand in locations such as Istanbul and Cairo.

At this time, destination service providers continue to operate. However, the availability of in‑person support may vary on a daily basis. In addition to core services, our destination service providers are offering other types of support, such as key collection and secure holding, property inspections and assistance with forced departures or evacuations. These services are available for impacted employees who need to vacate their premises but continue to have lease obligations.

Recommendations for organisations with employees in the Middle East

Those with impacted employees in-region should build flexibility into both temporary and permanent housing plans, including planning for longer temporary stays, securing extension options early and setting realistic expectations around timelines and housing choices. Housing searches should prioritise safety and location suitability alongside availability and cost, with alternative areas or phased moves considered where necessary.

household goods

International household goods shipments into and within the Middle East are currently experiencing disruption. Extended transit times and cost volatility are the primary impacts, driven by route diversions, gateway congestion, carrier restrictions and the application of war risk and emergency surcharges.

Ocean freight timelines are lengthening, availability can change with little notice and some shipments may be discharged at alternative ports, requiring onward transport or temporary storage. Air freight remains an option for essential items but is capacity-constrained and costly. Costs are expected to rise by at least 30% due to scarcity and higher fuel costs and timeliness will be impacted by the use of airspace over the Middle East.

Recommendations for organisations with employees in the Middle East

Those with impacted employees in-region should plan for longer shipping timelines and higher costs, building flexibility into move schedules and assignment start dates. Early engagement with household goods providers is critical to secure capacity, confirm routing and prepare contingency plans for alternative ports or storage.

The situation in the Middle East is constantly changing and organisations are responding in different ways. Some are choosing to have people stay where they are, while others are evacuating non-essential employees. Focus remains on the safety and well-being of both local staff and international assignees. During times like these, it’s important to rely on established crisis management plans and remember that clear and frequent communication is more important than ever.

For more information, read part one of this blog, contact your Cartus representative or email cartussolutions@cartus.com.

Thank you to our supplier partners across our network for sharing their on-the-ground intelligence in this blog.