Immigration Updates In Uae During The

Pandemic

Author: Dr. Hassan Elhais

Day after day we are experiencing a new difficulty as we move towards the end of the year 2020 and we are
coming stronger than ever and so is the government of every country by implementing rules and regulations
to safeguard the interest of their residents.

Most middle-eastern countries have relaxed the travel restrictions and fines imposed on residents failing to
exit the country within time due to unexpected circumstances and issues. Travel limitations, temporary
closure of public areas, upgrade bundles and an expansion in social healthcare services have all been
executed over the locale, with changes to the treatment of guests and visa applications being reported in light
of movement limitations. Immigration lawyers consider this appropriate to discuss the recent changes in the
immigration laws in UAE.

Extension of Resident Visa

The country has extended all sorts of visa issued to the individuals in UAE with an intention to ease the
adherence with the immigration requirements during the global pandemic. It is most certainly will allow
residents stuck in the country with expired visa to exit without any specific fines. In addition, the Ministry of
Immigration has issued following relaxations to residents:

Visa, Emirates ID and resident permits expired post 01 March 2020 will be extended till 31 December
2020 and the residents will be allowed to renew their visa or exit the country within that time period.
The extension of visas are applicable to both the residents living within the country and outside
Importantly, the fines imposed by the government for overstaying on temporary visa will be waived
off until 31 December 2020.
The UAE keeps on actualizing measures because of COVID-19. The country suspended international
flights and dropped section allows so as to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The visa legitimacy
expansion is uplifting news for employers as well as employees, as it will ease consistence with
movement prerequisites for foreign nationals and as of 02 April 2020, the government is not issuing
resident visa until any further notice.

Restricted entry to UAE for Resident visa holders

Apart from the foregoing, the government has issued some restrictions on resident visa holders outside the
country, which are as follows:

All UAE residents holding valid UAE visa and are currently outside the country many not be allowed
to enter the country, until further notice
The residents who wish to enter the country must seek approval from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
seek permission to travel within the country
 Repatriation flights are operating for those who wish to leave the country based on their circumstances
and emergency to travel.
As of a recent update, foreign expatriates willing to return to the country and holding valid resident
visa can return only by submitting application to Federal Identification and Citizenship post 01 June
2020
The applications shall reflect the reason for entering the country and it is the discretion of the authority
to allow them to enter the country, whereas medical staff, teachers and pregnant ladies will be given
top priority.

Disclaimer

The afore-mentioned information is in accordance with the present rules and regulations, which keeps on
altering depending upon the circumstances changed due to the pandemic. Therefore, it is advised to reach
out to the Legal Consultants in Dubai in order to have recent update on the immigration rules and
regulations imposed by the government.

Related Links
Measures of UAE Ministry Of Labor To Curb Spread Of Coronavirus
Working from home during the COVID-19 crisis - labour laws explained
Containing the pandemic - fines introduced to stop violations

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