Stranded residents with lapsed visas delighted to return to UAE

Dubai - Holders of expired residence visas were previously unable to return to some emirates, but many are now choosing to return on visit visas

Stranded residence visa holders — who stayed outside the country for more than 180 days — are delighted to finally return to their homes in the UAE.

Many expatriates have been stuck in countries that faced travel restrictions imposed by the UAE. But starting tomorrow, September 12, they are expected to return in large numbers.

As per the revised rules announced by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), the UAE will now allow entry of all residents, who are fully vaccinated with WHO-approved vaccines, from previously restricted countries.

This includes passengers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Namibia, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa, Nigeria and Afghanistan.

Many Dubai residents who were abroad for more than six months have been able to return to the country, thanks to the visa extension programme granted by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA).

However, holders of visas issued by other Emirates in the country could not avail similar facilities.

Mohammed Shahbaz, a resident of Sharjah, has been stranded in Hyderabad for more than six months.

To make matters worse, his residence visa expired on August 28, which meant he couldn’t return under any visa extension programme.

“Dubai extended the validity of expired residence visas. However, it wasn’t the case for other emirates. I have now booked my tickets for September 15 to Sharjah,” Shahbaz said.

Faizan Bashir, a Fujairah resident and lab technician, has been stranded in Pakistan since March.

“I came here to meet my wife and new baby, who was born in February. I did not think the extension would go on for so long. I suffered massive pay cuts because the nature of my job does not allow remote work," he said.