Ministry Launches Hotline for Expats with Residence Visas who Want to Return to UAE

Following the announcement of the UAE government of a renewable two-week suspension of entry for valid residence permit holders, which took effect at noon on Thursday, March 19, as part of preventive procedures amidst the spread of COVID-19 around the world, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has established a round-the-clock helpline to facilitate procedures to assist those who are out of the country and in need of this service.

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The helpline will cater to valid residence permit holders who wish to return to the UAE on grounds of humanitarian and emergency reasons. 

Ministry Launches Hotline for Expats with Residence Visas who Want to Return to UAE

UAE Ministry Launches for Returning Residence Visa Holders from Abroad 

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC), holders of valid residence permits overseas and their family members and first-degree relatives in the UAE can call the helpline for the abovementioned cases, as shared in a report by WAM.

Moreover, the Ministry explained that these measures were part of precautionary and preventive efforts taken by the UAE to contain the spread of COVID-19.

But after initially announcing a single number for the helpline, the Ministry later added a second number due to the high volume of calls.

Holders of valid residence permits overseas and their family members and first-degree relatives in the UAE may call 0097124965228 or 0097192083344 to request for assistance from the MFAIC on grounds of humanitarian and emergency cases.

Before this update, the UAE has already announced that it is suspending the issuing of visas on arrival for all nationalitiesexcept for diplomatic passport holders.

Following the upward trend of Covid-19 cases all over the world, the UAE has enforced various measures to curb the spread of the virus in communities, which include imposing mandatory quarantines for those who have recently arrived in the country. 

In line with these updates, the UAE’s flag carrier, Emirates, has also announced that it will be suspending “most” of its passenger operations from Wednesday, March 25, due to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Meanwhile, the government has also urged all residents to stay at home unless it’s necessary to get essential supplies, such as food and medicine, or to perform “essential jobs”.

Moreover, public establishments such as restaurants will not be allowed to receive customers and will only be allowed to provide delivery services to customers during this time.

The closure of establishments including malls, commercial centers, as well as meat, fish, and vegetable markets will last for two weeks, but will not include wholesalers, as per the directives of the UAE government.    

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