Emadeddin Khalil, Staff Reporter
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) stated that the entry permit for residents of neighboring border areas is issued for applicants at the official border checkpoints. Holder of this permit is allowed to enter the country through the approved official ports, for period of (90) days from the date of the first entry.
The permit is not extendable, however it allows the holder to enter and exit on a daily basis and stay in the country for a period not exceeding (48) hours only, the ICP said. This service is limited to those who hold valid residence permits for the neighboring countries. The permit’s holder is not allowed to work in the country at any case, whether paid or unpaid.
It is also limited to the higher professions and does not include the category of workers and domestic helpers, unless they enter as escorts of the sponsor or member/s of his/her family. The required documents include a copy of an approved passport or a travel document, the original residence card or a resident card that is valid in the border areas adjacent to the country, and a personal photo.
The service fees include Dhs200 for the request, Dhs300 for issuance and Dhs50 as e-service fee. They are non-refundable, the ICP said. In a related context, truckers can get entry permit through the UAE's embassies abroad or through the land ports, if they have a document that proves their association with a work within the UAE related to the transportation of goods, the ICP said, stressing that they must be covered with health insurance.
It also noted that if the trucker is a GCC resident, an approval from the contracting body for the truck driver in the country of residence may be required.