UAE Changes Visa Rules for Residents Living Abroad

UAE residents who have been outside the country for more than six months are now required to apply for a re-entry permit in order to return to the UAE, as per the updated visa regulations.
Advertisement

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently introduced new rules for its residence visa holders who are living outside the country. According to the updated rules, UAE residents who have been abroad for over six months will now have to apply for a re-entry permit, which will allow them to return to the UAE.

Not just that, residents will also have to specify the reason for staying outside and provide proof as well.

हिन्दी में पढ़ें: UAE: रेसिडेंस वीजा होल्डरों के लिए लागू हुआ एक नया नियम

Re-entry Permit for Residents Outside the Country

The permit application process requires residents to provide the reason for their absence and proof of the same.

Advertisement

To apply for the permit, residents can log on to the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) website and navigate to the “smart services” page. Additionally, the permit can also be applied to smart service centres or typing centres.

After the application process is completed, the applicant will have to wait for the ICP to approve the re-entry, which could take up to five working days.

It is important to note that a residence visa is automatically cancelled if the holder has been outside the country for more than 180 days, but this rule does not apply to Golden Visa holders.

Recent Visa Change in the UAE

The recent visa changes are part of a larger set of reforms implemented by the UAE government.

Advertisement

Other recent changes, as previously reported, include an AED 100 increase in the fee for issuing a visa and Emirates ID. Furthermore, visit visas cannot be extended in the UAE, so the holder must leave the country and return with a new visa.

Furthermore, residence visas are now linked to the holder’s Emirates ID, eliminating the need for a visa sticker in the passport. These recent visa reforms aim to streamline the visa application process and provide residents with a more secure and efficient system.

We recently published a comprehensive article on the latest visa changes by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP). This included a detailed overview of the Advanced Visa System, which encompasses all of the significant residency and entry permit reforms in the UAE. For more information, please refer to our article here.


Follow and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Google News for the latest travel news and updates!

Advertisement

Advertisement

Manish Khandelwal
Manish Khandelwal

Manish Khandelwal, a travel-tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the travel industry. Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travelobiz.com, he's passionate about writing.

Articles: 6132