Dubai has reopened for tourism, but unfortunately over thousands of UAE Residents are still stuck outside. Residents are crying foul, with no hope of reuniting with their families. While some of them are waiting for approval from the Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship, (ICA), a few others received multiple rejects.
Thousands are still stranded. #bringbackuaeresidents @HHMansoor @HHAhmedBinSaeed @HHShkMohd @ICAUAE @NCEMAUAE @etihad
— Gizel (@gizel_uae) July 24, 2020
Residents also complain of visa complications and other obstacles as their covid tests are no longer accepted by UAE. This has also led to residents who have received permission, being stranded as their Covid tests are considered invalid. The whole process and indefinite waiting has led to frustration among residents who are desperate to get back to their home country.
Expats also complained that ICA approvals were cancelled after being approved, as their Covid negative certificates will be accepted ONLY from government authorized test centers. In addition, residents have also expressed dismay about Dubai welcoming tourists, while thousands of expats with jobs, are still stuck outside their home.
Besides, frequent changes in rules have led to a lot of confusion and difficulty in keeping track of the latest policies. All those stuck outside are trying desperately to be heard, so they reunite with their families before Eid. Residents also posted tweets tagging #BringBackUAEResidents on Twitter. The tweets expressed their frustration in visas being rejected, and also had a post which read ‘Please Approve Our ICA Permit’.
Most ridiculous system I’ve ever used. Been rejected over 10 times now I just want to get to my pregnant wife who urgently needs me to support her as she’s alone in Dubai. #bringbackuaeresidents https://t.co/mNzlrBwC4w
— Bring Back UAE Residents (@djlphunk) July 24, 2020
Endless rejections from ICA for months on end, thousands of us still unable to return to the UAE.
#bringbackuaeresidents #ICAapproval @ICAUAE @MoFAICUAE @mohapuae @HHShkMohd @HamdanMohammed @khalifabinzayed @gulf_news @khaleejtimes @lovindubai pic.twitter.com/7bvDywPi6n— Alia Abouraya (@Leeloo_96) July 24, 2020
A few of them also cried about helplessness. One of the residents also posted that his wife was pregnant and all alone in Dubai. He is unable to get to her as his application has been rejected multiple times.
Rejected application again. My Wife is pregnant & due to give birth in a matter of weeks. I Can’t get to her. She’s all by herself in Dubai.#bringbackuaeresidents @MoFAICUAE@ICAUAE@HHShkMohd@HamdanMohammed@MohamedBinZayed@uaegov@khaleejtimes@ICAUAE_help pic.twitter.com/pwac5oqkRc
— Bring Back UAE Residents (@djlphunk) July 24, 2020