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The UAE Cabinet Issues An Amended Grace Period For ALL Residents With Expired Visas

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The UAE Cabinet Issues An Amended Grace Period For ALL Residents With Expired Visas

On Friday, June 10, the UAE Cabinet issued a number of amendments to the identity and citizenship sector resolutions; that was implemented back when the COVID-19 pandemic initially began to spread and a strict lockdown was imposed within the country.

1. UAE residents stranded overseas, whose residency visas have expired after March 1, or have exceeded a period of 6 months outside the UAE will be granted a grace period to return to the country.

According to the announcement, the time frame will depend on the date that flights resumed between the UAE and the country they’re currently located in.

This schedule will be determined by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, (ICA).

2. UAE residents with expired residency visas, entry permits and expired ID cards will NOT get an extension till the end of December 2020 anymore.

The Cabinet has approved the 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 and 31, 2020.

The validity of visas and entry permits for those inside the country from March 1, 2020, until the end of December of this year, has now been CANCELLED. The same goes for Emirates identity cards.

“All the decisions related to the residency of expatriates, visas, entry permits and ID cards are stopped with effect from July 11, while the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has been assigned to start collecting the fees due for providing the services from July 12.”

3. A grace period of 1 month is granted, effective from the date of entering the country, is given to Emiratis, GCC citizens and residents (who spent less than six months outside the country) for renewal of the documents.

All these amended resolutions will come into effect from Saturday, July 11, 2020.

4. A grace period of 3 months is granted to Emiratis, GCC citizens and residents in the country for renewal of their documents.

ICA will start collecting fees for providing their services from Sunday, July 12, 2020.

5. Administrative fees and FINES will be issued to those who surpass the deadlines.

ALSO READ: India To Begin A 15-Day Mission To Send Stranded Residents Back To The UAE From July 12

6. The Cabinet also cancelled the decision to stop the activation of administrative fines for violations as of Saturday, July 11, 2020.

  1. Residents and visitors with visas that have expired in March and April can start the process from July 12.
  2. For those with visas that expired back in May, the renewal process will begin from August 11.
  3. Meanwhile, for expats whose visas have expired in June and between July 1-11, the renewal process will begin from September 10.

DHA is reminding all Dubai citizens and returning residents to treat wearing a face mask at all times as the NEW normal!

If you’ve run out of disposable masks or are looking for quality reusable masks (to avoid being fined AED 3000) then check these out:

1. A pack of 50 three-layer disposable medical face masks for AED 23.98.

2. Advance reusable face mask, suitable for when you go running or cycling for AED 88.90.

3. Pack of 8 adjustable and slightly more affordable reusable face masks with breathing filters and earloops, for AED 53.90.

ALSO READ: Travellers: Cabin Baggage Is NOT Allowed So Store All Your Essentials In These 8 Compartmentalized Bags

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