Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

The UAE has launched an initiative to return residents with valid visas who have been staying outside the country due to COVID-19. The initiative, which will be coordinated between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, targets the return of nearly 200,000 people from various countries.

COVID-19 checks will be conducted for all arriving to the UAE, and they will be obligated to undertake quarantine for a period of 14 days and any cost will be incurred by the traveller. In addition, travelers must use one of the special apps approved to track their health status, in order to preserve their safety and the safety of society.

This initiative is a continuation of the efforts made by the UAE in light of the challenges and the crisis of COVID-19 that swept the world.

Earlier, approximately 31,000 residents with valid visa were approved to return to the county during the period from March 25 to June 8, 2020. The priority was given humanitarian cases and those who have relatives in the country.

Commenting on the initiative, Khaled Abdullah Belhoul, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said, “The return of residents to the country comes within the framework of the UAE's humanitarian efforts in light of the current crisis.”

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He continued, “During the current phase, the focus will be on residents of families, who represent 50 per cent of the total cases, followed by return of some vital jobs that are associated with essential services to ensure enhancing the quality of life of the community.”

For his part, Major General Mansour Ahmed Al Dhaheri, Director General of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, said, “This initiative came in fulfillment of the wise leadership’s directives towards enabling residents staying outside the country to return to the UAE, as a part of the gradual return to normalcy.”

Regarding the procedures to obtain approval to return, individuals will have to register with the “Resident Entry Permit” service on the ICA website (Smartservice.ica.gov.ae). All requests submitted will be answered within 48 hours. Upon obtaining approval, individuals will be able to complete the procedures for reserving a return ticket on the national carriers or other airlines that operate their flights to the country. All information will be included in an e-mail sent by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.