In our spotlight on APAC series, we round up the latest developments across the region. In this post, we capture the processing delays and closures to be expected during the observance of Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr.
This year, the month of Ramadan is expected to begin on February 18 or February 19 and will end on March 19 or March 20, 2026 (exact dates will be determined by lunar sighting and announced individually for each country). Immigration delays are expected throughout the next few weeks during the month of Ramadan and may continue in the weeks following the Eid period, marking the end of Ramadan.
Companies and Government office closures are expected in many countries for Eid al-Fitr, but official announcement remain pending for most countries.
Provided below a non-exhaustive summary of operating hours and office closures for Ramadan.
| Country | Government Office Operating Hours and Closures |
| Bangladesh | Daily operating hours: 9:00-15:30 (local time) |
| Office closure dates: March 17, 19-23, 2026 | |
| Bahrain | Office closure dates: Exact dates are yet to be announced by the authorities. It is anticipated that government entities will remain closed from March 20, 2026, and work will resume on March 23, 2026. |
| Brunei | Daily operating hours. Public offices are likely to close on the first day and operate until 14:00 during Ramadan, which may cause processing delays. |
| Office closure dates: February 19 (First day of Ramadan). February 23, 2026 (National Day), March 21, 2026 (to be confirmed; Hari Raya). | |
| Egypt | Daily operating hours: Sunday to Thursday 9:00-14:00. |
| Office closure dates: Exact dates are yet to be announced by the authorities. It is anticipated that government entities will remain closed from March 20, 2026, and work will resume on March 23, 2026. | |
| Indonesia | The Ministry of Manpower has not yet issued any official circular or provided confirmed guidance on government closures related to Ramadan. However, based on prior years, the online submission system typically closes at 15:00. For ITAS/Stay Permit submissions, new applications are usually no longer accepted between 14:30 and 15:00 during this period. |
| Iraq | Daily operating hours: Sunday to Thursday 8:00-14:00. |
| Office closure dates: Exact dates are yet to be announced by the authorities. It is anticipated that government entities will remain closed from March 20, 2026, and work will resume on March 24, 2026. | |
| Iraqi Kurdistan | Daily operating hours: Sunday to Thursday 8:00-14:30. |
| Office closure dates: Exact dates are yet to be announced by the authorities. It is anticipated that government entities will remain closed from March 20, 2026, and work will resume on March 24, 2026. | |
| Jordan | Daily operating hours: Sunday to Thursday 9:30-15:00. |
| Office closure dates: Exact dates are yet to be announced by the authorities. It is anticipated that government entities will remain closed from March 19, 2026, and work will resume on March 24, 2026. | |
| Kuwait | Daily operating hours: Sunday to Thursday 9:30-14:00. |
| Office closure dates: Exact dates are yet to be announced by the authorities. It is anticipated that government entities will remain closed from March 20, 2026, and work will resume on March 23 or March 24, 2026. | |
| Lebanon | Daily operating hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00-14:00 and Friday 9:00-12:00. |
| Office closure dates: Exact dates are yet to be announced by the authorities. It is anticipated that government entities will remain closed from March 20, 2026, and work will resume on March 23, 2026. | |
| Mauritania | Daily operating hours: During Ramadan operating hours will be at 9:00-16:00 (local time). |
| Office closure dates: Government offices will be closed March 19 and 20, 2026 for Eid-Al-Fitr. | |
| Oman | Daily operating hours: Sunday to Thursday 9:00-14:00. |
| Office closure dates: Exact dates are yet to be announced by the authorities. It is anticipated that government entities will remain closed from March 20, 2026, and work will resume on March 24, 2026. | |
| Pakistan | Daily operating hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00-15:00 and Friday 9:00- 12:30. |
| Office closure dates: Government entities will remain closed from March 21, 2026, and work will resume on March 24, 2026. | |
| Qatar | Daily operating hours: Sunday to Thursday 9:00-14:00. |
| Office closure dates: Exact dates are yet to be announced by the authorities. It is anticipated that government entities will remain closed from March 18, 2026, and work will resume on March 24, 2026. | |
| Saudi Arabia | Daily operating hours: Sunday to Thursday 10:00-15:00. |
| Office closure dates: Exact dates are yet to be announced by the authorities. It is anticipated that government entities will remain closed from March 20, 2026, and work will resume on March 24, 2026. | |
| Singapore | Office closure dates: Hari Raya Puasa falls on March 21, 2026. As it falls on a weekend, there will be no office or government closures, and it will instead be observed as an earned “floating leave” holiday for the Singapore offices. |
| United Arab Emirates | Daily operating hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00-14:30 and Friday 9:00- 12:00. |
| Office closure dates: Exact dates are yet to be announced by the authorities. It is anticipated that government entities will remain closed from March 19 or March 20, 2026, and work will resume on March 23, or March 24, 2026. |
For more information on the process or any assistance you require on global immigration matters please do not hesitate to contact Rachel.ang@magrath.sg or nur.erniwaty@magrath.sg.
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