At the Dubai International Airport. ARCHIVE

Dubai expats or those holding a residence visa issued in Dubai are not included in the exemption for visa holders who want to stay outside the UAE for more than six months. The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) clarified that the exemption does not include residents of Dubai. This came after the ICP began granting entry permits this year to residence visa holders whose visas have expired for staying outside the UAE for more than six months. The ICP said that applicants must provide a valid reason why they were unable to return to the UAE within the required period. Regular residence visas become automatically invalid once the holder stays out of the UAE for more than six months. Only golden visas, a form of residence visa that is valid for 10-years, remain valid even if the holder stays outside the UAE for more than six months. To allow expats to return to the UAE, the ICP will grant exemptions to residence visa holders who have a valid reason for having stayed outside the country for more than six months. Applications for the entry permit can be done outside the UAE via the ICP website or app. Applicants must upload a copy of their Emirates ID, passport as well as the reason for the delay. The ICP said that a person can submit an entry permit application after 180 days of staying outside the UAE. A fine of Dh100 for every 30 days or less spent outside the country will also apply. The entry fee application costs Dh150. ICA/Expat Media
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