The UAE has amended the visa regulation that previously allowed tourists and residents whose visas have expired after March 1 to stay legally in the country until December 31, 2020.
Here are the decisions cancelled by the UAE Cabinet as of July 10:
– Cancellation of validity extension till end of December 2020 of residency visas that expired from March 1 for those inside or outside the country.
– Cancellation of validity extension till end of December 2020 of visas and entry permits (tourist/visit visa) that expired from March 1.
– Cancellation of validity extension till end of December of identity cards (Emirates ID) that expired from March 1.
Here are the scenarios and steps you can do.
Tourist / Visit Visa, expired from March 1 onwards: One-month grace period from July 12.
Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) Official Spokesperson Brigadier Khamis Al Kaabi announced a one-month grace period starting July 12 to either leave the country or update their visa status to avoid fines.
Residency Visa, expired from March 1 onwards, resident is here in UAE: Three month grace period from July 12.
ICA outlined specific schedules for all UAE residents to avoid overcrowding at the renewal centres across the country.
Here are the schedules:
For residency visas that expired from March 1 to April 30: Renewal requests accepted from July 12 onwards
For residency visas that expired from May 1 to 31: Renewal requests accepted from August 11 onwards
For residency visas that expired from June 1 to July 11: Renewal requests accepted from September 10 onwards
For residency visas that expired from July 12: Renewal allowed at any date
RELATED STORY: UAE amends December 2020 visa rule with limited grace period
Residency Visa, expired from March 1 onwards, outside the country for less than six months: One-month grace period upon arrival to country.
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.
Residency Visa, expired from March 1 onwards, outside the country for more than six months: Grace period to return to UAE to be announced
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).
READ ON: Tourists with expired visas given one month to leave, change status from July 12
Cancelled Visa: Grace period as indicated in the contract.
Individuals with cancelled visa after March 1 and have exceeded the grace period after the cancellation will be fined if they did not leave the country nor have their status amended.
“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 an 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.
