Renew expired UAE visas and IDs online, residents told

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has started receiving residency renewal applications on Sunday. The authority urged UAE residents and citizens with expired visas and Emirates IDs to apply for renewals online and via the authority's smart channels.
This is to avoid crowds at centres as a precautionary measure against the spread of Covid-19.
The authority urged UAE residents and citizens with expired visas and Emirates IDs to take note of the grace period granted to them. "A grace period of three months has been granted for Emiratis, GCC citizens and residents in the country to renew their documents," said Brigadier Khamis Mohammed Al Kaabi, official spokesperson for the ICA, during an interview with a local television on Sunday evening.
The UAE Cabinet on Friday issued a number of amendments that cancelled all previously issued resolutions related to the residency of expatriates, visas, entry permits and ID cards.
Brig Al Kaabi said the renewal process has started for those whose visas and IDs expired in March and April. He reiterated that for those whose residency permits expired in May, renewals will be accepted starting from August 11, while those with visas that expired between June 1 and July 12 can submit applications from September 10.
For residence visas and IDs that expire from July 12, the renewal period is not restricted to a specific date.
For citizens, GCC nationals and residents who spent less than six months outside the country, a grace period of one month is granted, starting from the date of their arrival in the country.
"Administrative fees shall be collected at the end of the said deadlines. No fines shall be collected during the exemption period," said Al Kaabi, stressing that the fees and fines have been re-activated on all services provided by the authority from Sunday.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com 

• UAE

Ismail Sebugwaawo

ismail@khaleejtimes.com