Expired residency visa violators have until Nov.17 to leave UAE

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has announced the extension of the grace period granted to residency violators for another three months (November 17), along with fine exemptions.

The Director General revealed that the ICA has taken many exceptional measures to streamline the process of leaving the UAE. The violator will have to complete the procedures in only 3 steps, including obtaining the passport, buying the ticket, & arriving before the date of the trip.

An operation room along with a toll free number 800453 were dedicated to respond to all inquiries every day of the week from 8am until 10pm, except on holidays.

On the other hand, the ICA stated that residents outside the country who have valid residency visas issued from the Emirate of Dubai must obtain (GDRFA) approval for the UAE entry before proceeding with travel procedures to Dubai Airport by applying for it on the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs website: https://smart.gdrfad.gov.ae/Smart_OTCServicesPortal/ReturnPermitServiceForm.aspx

While residents of Abu Dhabi and Sharjah who are outside the country are not required to obtain approval to enter Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports, they are advised to update their data via “uaeentry.ica.gov.ae” to ensure validity of their identification documents, ICA confirmed.

It has been also confirmed that a PCR test with negative result of maximum 96 hours is a must to enter the country for all except children under 12 and people of determination. Everyone will also have to abide by a 14-day-quarantie or 7 days for vital jobs, in addition to installing Al Hosn applications, ICA added.