UAE Residency Visa Update: Avoid Visa Fines & Cancellation

The United Arab Emirates Cabinet has announced the cancellation of its previous decision on the validity of visas and entry permits for those from March 1, 2020, until December 31, 2020. Emirates identity cards that expired on March 1, 2020, were being considered valid until December 31, 2020, will also be cancelled. The Resolution comes into effect starting July 11, 2020.

The authority requests customers to start the renewal of expired ID cards and residency permits of UAE citizens, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens and expatriate residents.

From July 12, 2020 the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) will receive applications for renewing expired residency visas and Emirates ID cards in phases.

WHO WILL BE AFFECTED?

• • If you are inside the UAE, a 3-month grace period for GCC passport holders and UAE residents to renew and complete their UAE visa and Emirates ID.

• • A set 1-month grace period is available to renew visas and Emirates ID effective from the date of arrival into the UAE for GCC passport holders and UAE residents that have spent less than 6 months outside of the UAE.

• • If you are inside the UAE, a 3-month grace period for GCC passport holders and UAE residents will apply for renewing their visa and Emirates ID.
  • A set 1-month grace period will apply to renew visas and Emirates ID effective from the date of arrival into the UAE for GCC passport holders and UAE residents that have spent less than 6 months outside of the UAE.

• • A grace period may be granted to UAE residents who have been out of the UAE for more than 6 months or if the visa expired after March 1, 2020. 

WHAT IS THE PROCESS & WILL I GET FINES?

If you are facing one of the above scenarios or if you are unsure regarding your visa and Emirates ID and the new update, we urge you to contact your Creation Client Relationship representative who will guide you. Should you wish to know the status of your visa you can log onto the government portal and enter the residence permit details to check the expiry date and how the new update will apply to you. The following on-line resources can help guide you:

• For visa validity check on the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship portal or ICA, visit this website.
• UAE residents can visit the General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs portal.

UAE Residency visa fines:

For those that are in the UAE, the residency visa violation fine is AED 25 per day. When leaving the UAE, the fine is AED 250 plus AED 25 per day.

Emirates ID fines:

Failure to renew an Emirates identity card will result in AED 20 per day fine for, that can go up to AED 1,000. If you are sponsoring dependents or housemaids etc. check the portals for the new expiry dates and renew before the grace period ends.

WHEN SHOULD I RENEW MY RESIDENCE VISA & EMIRATES ID?

From July 12, 2020 the authority has started receiving and renewal applications for residency visas and ID cards that expired between March and April 2020. For those that expired in May 2020, their renewal applications will start being accepted on August 8, 2020.

Residency visas and Emirates ID that expired between June 1 and July 11, 2020 will start being accepted as renewal applications from September 10, 2020. 

Documents expiring on July 12, 2020 onwards, the renewal applications are not restricted to a specific date and should be completed at the earliest to avoid any late renewal fines. 

WHAT HAPPENS TO A UAE RESIDENT WHO HAS BEEN OUT OF THE UAE FOR 6+ MONTHS?

For residents whose visa and Emirates ID that has expired from March 1, 2020 and have been out of the UAE for more than 180 days, a specific grace period may be determined by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. Residents are now permitted to re-enter the UAE once flights resume between the country they are currently in and the UAE. ICA or General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) approval will be required. Note the grace period will be subject on a specific schedule that will be determined by the ICA. Following, administrative fees or fines will be incurred after the end of the deadline period. 

It was highlighted that no fines will be generated during the exemption period. Administration fees or fines will only start on all services provided by the authorities effective from July 12, 2020.

WILL EXPIRED VISAS NEED A UAE MEDICAL TEST?

Yes, UAE medical testing is now resumed. For those that will start the new visa applications the UAE medical test will be required. Renewal of residency visas will also require the UAE medical test to be completed. 

During Covid-19 stay home restrictions, residents received an electronic sticker online to show the visa was extended. Now, the renewed residency visa will be stamped on their passport.

NEXT STEPS

Holders of UAE residency visa and Emirates ID that expired after March 1, 2020, regardless if you are in the UAE or not please contact your dedicated Creation Client Relationship Director to advise you on the next steps. If you are a UAE resident who is outside of the UAE for more than 6 months or has expired documentation, we recommend checking travel updates between the country you are currently located in and the UAE. Failure to comply and complete your UAE residency visa and Emirates ID set out with the UAE Cabinet update and new time frames will result in fines and or UAE residency visa cancelations.