Expired Residence Visas Now Get Extended Grace Period

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has announced the extension of the grace period granted to residency violators for another three months, along with fine exemptions.

The Director General of Foreigners Affairs and Ports at ICA, Major General Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi said the grace period extension runs from August 18 to November 17, 2020, and includes all violators with resident visas expired before 1 March 2020.

He also stated that this clause covers all kinds of violators of the entry and residency law and guarantee that the violators will not be banned from entering the UAE at a future point provided they leave the country before November 17, 2020.

Visa holders wishing to leave the UAE from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah airports must be at the airport a minimum of 6 hours before the flight.

Whereas, residents who choose to leave the country through Dubai Airport must visit the deportation centre at the Civil Aviation Security Centre near Terminal 2 48 hours before the flight.

Those affected and choosing to leave the country can get further details through toll-free number 800 453. This has been set up as a dedicated response team to all inquires every day of the week from 8 am to 10 pm, except on local holidays.