Applying for a New Visa? Follow this Timeline

The UAE government announced on November 17 that people who have overstayed their UAE visas still have until the end of the year to leave the country without having to pay any fines. The short-term amnesty introduced earlier this year due to the ongoing pandemic was set to end on November 17 (Tuesday). UAE Visa Fine Waiver Extended Until End of the Year As per the previous Cabinet Order, the deadline was supposedly on November 17, but the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has announced that the grace period has been extended up until December 31 of the current year, the Gulf News reported. According to Major General Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, Director General of Foreigners Affairs and Ports at Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), “The period of extension for overstay violators has been extended until the end of December 31, 2020. The extension is for people who violated the entry and foreigners’ residence law before March 1, 2020. They will be exempted from all fines provided they leave the country before the deadline.” That said, all people who have been illegally staying in the country after their visas - visit, tourist or residency - had expired before March 1 this year will not be penalized and can leave the UAE during the said window period. According to Major Al Rashidi, the extension of the grace period came after directives from the country’s leaders to give a second chance for the violators to change their status. In line with this, Major Al Rashidi expressed his gratitude to the UAE leaders for the new order, noting that this is another opportunity for violators to change their status before the end of the year. ALSO READ: Dubai Authorities to Handle Cases of Jobless Residents with Fines to Return to their Home Countries – Top Ranking Official

Following the announcement of the UAE Cabinet this weekend regarding the amended grace period for all residents, the ICA has clarified that the dates for which you can apply for renewal depending on when your visa expired.

Also Read: What to Do if your UAE Visa Has Been Cancelled

The timeline includes information for expired residency visas and Emirates IDs.

uae visa timeline

ICA Announces Timeline for Visa Application 

In a statement, the UAE Cabinet announcement: “All the decisions related to the residency of expatriates, visas, entry permits and ID cards are stopped with effect from July 11, while the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has been assigned to start collecting the fees due for providing the services from July 12.”

Starting July 12, the process for renewing visas begins again. The dates for which the ICA will begin arranging new visas and Emirates ID are as follows:

  • Documents expired in March and April 2020: Submit renewal requests from July 12
  • Documents expired in May 2020: Submit renewal requests from August 11
  • Documents expired in June 2020: Submit renewal requests from September 10
  • Documents expired after July 11, 2020: Submit renewal requests thereafter

Meanwhile, Emiratis, GCC citizens, and residents (who spent less than six months outside the country) are given a grace period of 1 month effective from the date of entering the country to renew their documents.

Emiratis, GCC citizens, and residents in the country are given a grace period of 3 months for the renewal of their documents.

And with the amendment of the grace period for the application and renewal of documents, administrative fees and fines will be issued to those who fail to comply within the set deadlines for the renewal of documents.

In line with this announcement, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is reminding all Dubai citizens and returning residents to wear a face mask at all times as part of the new normal in living in the UAE.

Failure to comply with existing rules on public safety during the pandemic will be grounds for different kinds of fines ranging between AED 2,000 to AED 10,000.

Also, the UAE Public Prosecution has recently launched a campaign that publicly identifies and “shames” violators of rules and regulations on the use of masks, gathering in groups, and going outside beyond curfew hours.  

ALSO READ: How to Obtain a COVID-19 Clearance Certificate Online to Enter UAE