Picture for illustrative purposes only. EXPAT MEDIA

UAE authority announces new rule for expats staying outside UAE for over 6 months

UAE authorities have announced a new rule for residence visa holders who want to apply for an entry permit if they are planning to stay abroad for more than six months. According to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP), residents who plan to stay abroad for more than six months must apply for an entry permit to the UAE two months prior to their visa expiring. “The applicant’s residence visa should be valid for at least 60 days from the date of application, so as to be eligible to apply for the service,” according to the ICP. A residence visa automatically becomes invalid once the holder stays outside the UAE for longer than six months. However, the ICP has launched a new service allowing these visa holders to apply for a re-entry permit, which effectively gets their visa re-activated. The new service is available through the UAEICP app, its website, customer service centers or licensed typing centers. The processing fee is Dh150. Under the new rule, those applying for approval to re-enter the UAE must do so from outside the country. Once approval is given, the applicant must enter the UAE within 30 days from the date of approval. The new service applies to all residence visas that the ICP approves within its system, the authority emphasized. The applicant must provide a reason that justifies why they needed to stay abroad for more than 180 days. Additionally, a fine of Dh100 will be imposed for each 30 days or less that is spent outside the UAE after 180 days. ICA/Expat Media
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