Many residents with valid UAE visa are still outside the country and waiting for their entry permits to be approved either by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship (ICA).
In a July 22 article published by Gulf News, officers from GDRFA and Dubai Health Authority (DHA) answered the frequently asked questions by returning expats.
GDRFA answers FAQs:
1. Which approvals are required for UAE residents returning via Dubai airports?
UAE residence visa holders must apply through the ICA website while Dubai residence visa holders need to apply through GDRFA to enter the emirate through Dubai International airports.
Expats are urged to purchase tickets once they secured the approval.
2. Does Dubai airport accept both ICA and GDRFA permit?
Dubai airports accept both approvals. If a resident obtained approval from Twajudi service, he does not need to get ICA approval.
DHA answers FAQs:
1. What are the requirements related to Covid-19 tests for arriving passengers?
All incoming passengers (tourists or residence) are required to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test, not older than 96 hours, at the passport control counter.
2. Is the Covid-19 test validity applicable from the time of giving the swab sample for testing or is it from the time receiving the test result?
It is valid from the time of giving the swab sample for testing.
3. What are the health forms and mobile applications that passengers are required to submit / download?
Arriving passengers are required to sign the health declaration form and must download COVID-19 DXB SMART APP.
