Staff Report

There is a piece of good news for the people who have expired residence and visit visas. The UAE government on Monday announced that all visas, entry permits and Emirates ID cards will remain valid until the end of 2020 because of the coronavirus crisis.

Speaking to media in a virtual conference on Monday on the coronavirus situation in the UAE, Colonel Khamis Al Kaabi, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship spokesperson, said that “all visas and entry permits – expiring on March 1 – shall remain valid until the end of December, 2020.”

The residency visa of expatriates, inside or outside the country and expiring on March 1, to stay valid until the end of the year.

“Likewise, Emirates ID cards that happened to expire on March 1 shall remain valid till the end of December 2020.”

Brig. Al Kaabi mentioned that they have received many requests from residents and visitors to join their families in their homeland under the current circumstances.

“We are working to coordinate these requests. The ICA affirms its absolute commitment to all segments of society, including citizens, residents, and visitors,” he stated.

“We also confirm our willingness to receive and attend to all inquiries through the communication channels announced on the official website of the authority.”

According to the UAE government’s official portal, there are four types of permits.

The entry permit you need depends on the purpose of your visit. It could be for:

– Tourism

– Visit

– Transit

– Work