An official from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship has clarified the rules set by the government on expired visas.
In a Gulf News report, it reported that Brig. Khamis Al Kaabi, the official spokesperson of the agency, confirmed the details in Abu Dhabi TV that authorities in UAE revoked the decision to extend any residence visas that expired during the Covid-19 outbreak.
“UAE residency permits are now being renewed again and people have three months to renew their residency as of July 12. Fines will be imposed by the end of the grace period,” Al Kaabi said.
The announcement was for residents with documents that expired after March 1, 2020.
Meanwhile, those residents outside the country are only given one month when they arrive to renew their visas before fines are imposed.
Al Kaabi also confirmed that visit or tourist visa holders in UAE have only one month to leave the country as of July 12 to avoid fines.
The report didn’t further discuss the rules for visit visa holders.
TGFM has also reached out to a Dubai-based travel agency regarding this but as of now, they haven’t received any circulars about the new rule. The source said that they are still able to issue tourist visas for people inside the country.
Meanwhile, TGFM also learned that tourist visa holders are still able to see their visa status on smartservices.ica.gov.ae extended until December 31, 2020.
