The UAE has amended several decisions relating to the validity of visas applicable for residents residing in and out of the country.
The Cabinet decision came after the current situation was studied in detail to ensure that there were no negative effects or repercussions on various sectors.
Here are the decisions approved by the government:
– Cancellation of the decision regarding the validity of residency visas for expatriates, who are in or outside the country and if their visas expired between March 1 to 31, 2020.
– Cancellation of the decision on the validity of visas and entry permits (tourist/visit visas) for those inside the country from March 1, 2020, until the end of December of this year.
– Cancellation of the decision on identity cards (Emirates ID) that expired on March 1, 2020, being considered valid until the end of December 2020
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What you can do:
– UAE resident visa holders inside the country have a limited grace period of three months to renew their documents.
– UAE resident visa holders who have recently arrived back in the UAE, and have spent less than six months outside of the country, have one month to renew their documents.
– UAE resident visa holders who are still outside the country and whose visas expired after March 1 or who have exceeded a period of six months outside the country, will be given a grace period to return to the UAE from the date of the opening of airspace between the two countries. This time frame will be determined by an upcoming decision that will be issued by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA).
The Council instructed the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship to start collecting the fees due for providing services from July 12, 2020.
The UAE’s ongoing amnesty programme that runs until August 18 allows individuals whose visas have expired to exit the country without having to pay for fines, but this does not cover visas that have been cancelled.
“Please be informed as per the new instruction by GDRFA-Dubai that cancelled residency or E-visa is not included on the amnesty program so they are kindly requested to either leave UAE or change their status for a new visa inside the country. Please also note that cancelled residencies after March 1, 2020, and the holder has exceeded the grace period after the cancellation of residence and did not leave the country or amend the status are not included in the decision, and fines are to be collected on violators before leaving or during the change of status,” said the email statement.
Individuals with queries about their visa status and overstaying concerns can contact: 800453, seven days a week, from 8:00 AM until 10:00 PM, except during public holidays.
