Stranded residents no longer need entry permit to return to UAE

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

UAE expatriates who are stranded abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic will no longer need to apply for an entry permit to return to the UAE from Wednesday.

The UAE’s National Authority for Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) approved the second phase of the Resident Return Programme starting from 12/08/2020.

This was done keeping in mind the new school academic year and return of various commercial activities and social facilities.
The ICA will automatically process and grant entry to UAE residents.

The authority advises residents to update their personal data, ID number, passport number, nationality by entering the link uaeentry.ica.gov.ae

The data update procedure is optional for those wishing to verify the validity of their data and travel documents and its relevance to the previously granted consent permit.

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All residents are advised to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test before flying to the UAE.

Airlines are obliged to ensure that all travellers have a negative PCR result before boarding the aircraft.

It is advised to do the PCR test from accredited laboratories in the country of the expatriate, and the timings of the tests should not be more than 96 hours before take-off.

After obtaining the negative result, residents can book a flight ticket. The negative test certificate must be handed over the to the air carriers.

All precautionary and preventive measures will be applied to all residents upon their arrival in the country, including conducting a COVID-19 test, adhering to the home quarantine rule issued by UAE health authorities.  

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship will continue to launch national initiatives to support the efforts of the government work system in accordance with the directives of the wise leadership in a manner that achieves the security and safety of all residents.

The ICA also issued a decision to extend the deadline for holders of expired entry permits and visas from Aug.11, 2020, for one month, to enable them to leave the country and exempt them from all resulting fines.

The authority’s decision is part of the national initiatives launched by the UAE and is in implementation of the UAE Cabinet's related decisions and regulations on entry and residency of foreigners.