A residence visa becomes invalid if the holder has been away from the UAE for more than six months. EXPAT MEDIA

UAE changes visa rules for residents staying outside country for over 6 months

UAE residence visa holders staying outside the country for longer than six months can now apply for a permit to re-enter the emirates. Travel agents confirmed that the new system is available on the e-channels of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP). A residence visa automatically becomes invalid if the visa holder has been away from the UAE for more than six months or 180 consecutive days. However, Golden Visa holders are exceptions as they can stay outside the country for as long as necessary without affecting their residency status.

How to apply for a UAE re-entry permit

Expats with an invalidated residence visa can access the ICP website to submit an application to reactivate their visa and re-enter the country. The service is called “Issue permit for staying outside UAE over 6 months” and can be found under “smart services.” To avail the new service, applicants must input the necessary information, and sponsors, as well as their passports, and details of residency. There is a mandatory field in which the applicant must enter the reason for staying outside the country for over six months. Only after receiving a confirmation email from the ICP can the applicant re-enter the UAE. The process of approval takes about five days. The implementation of the new entry permit system is the latest in visa and residency reforms. ICP service fees for issuing visas and Emirates IDs increased by Dh100 earlier this January. Visit visas can no longer be extended in the UAE. Instead, holders must leave the country and return with a fresh visa. The ICP has also recently cut the fine for overstaying visas to Dh50. Overstaying tourists and visit visa holders will be charged Dh50 a day, instead of Dh100. However, the charge of resident visa holders has been doubled from Dh25 to Dh50.
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