On Monday, the UAE will receive holders of valid visas residing outside the country, after the invitation has been issued by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) for the UAE residents who are outside and wish to return. Earlier, the UAE government had decided to allow the holders of valid visas outside return back to the UAE according to Resident’s Entry Permit, as of June 1, 2020.
Resident’s Entry Permit service
At the same time, the ICA has invited holders of valid visas residing outside the country, and those wishing to return to the country to register for the service of “resident’s entry permit” on the authority’s website “smartservices.ica.gov.ae”
The Authority has allocated this service to residents who are outside the country and who have valid residency permits and allows them to issue permits to enter the UAE and facilitate their safe and sound return in emergency cases, taking into consideration that the approval of requests depends on the current conditions.
Hotline for valid visas’ holders existing outside the country:
For residents who have valid visas from the UAE and exist outside the country:
Register at the new online service “My presence for residents” available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), to facilitate communication between them and the diplomatic missions of the UAE abroad, and coordinate their return to the UAE safely in emergency cases.
Consent of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship is mandatory for booking return tickets to the Emirates.
For further inquiries:
– You can contact the MoFAIC on the hotline 0097124965228 and 0097192083344.
– You can also contact the ICA on the mobile phone: 0501066099 or e-mail: [email protected] for any matters related to UAE visas.
Conditions for submitting an electronic application:
This is required for return when submitting the electronic application; the resident should attach the application with a personal photo, a copy of the residence visa, and a copy of a valid passport.
Another necessary condition to allow residents to return is to establish the reason for being outside the country with a letter from the employer, educational institution, medical authority, or travel tickets if the presence outside the country was for tourism.
According to the airlines, a return condition also includes mandatory health testing on arrival and a 14-day compulsory home quarantine.
At a later time, the ICA had alerted residents wishing to return to the country not to reserve or buy travel tickets, or to travel before obtaining approval for an application for entry to the state, explaining through its website that “reviewing the request may take some time”. After the applicant gets approval, he can book travel tickets according to the actual travel date, as the dates entered in the application are considered a default.
The availability of Resident’s Entry Permit service
The decision to suspend entry of valid visas’ holders who are outside the country
The UAE had decided to suspend entry to holders of valid visas residing outside the country, according to Resident’s Entry Permit service starting on March 19 of this year, in conjunction with precautionary measures and imposing travel restrictions inside and outside the country to limit the spread of the COVID-19.
A statement issued by the ICA stated that the suspension decision came as part of the precautionary measures taken by the country in response to the World Health Organization’s announcement of the risks of the COVID-19 epidemic, which in turn reflects the high risks associated with travel and transportation from countries with high rates of infection.
The Kingdom’s keenness to reunite families
However, the country was keen on reuniting those who were abroad with their families who were affected by the measures taken under the current exceptional circumstances; it decided to allow the return of residents to inside but in light of the preventive measures and precautionary measures taken by the country to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
