The UAE government on Monday announced that select categories of UAE citizens and residents will be permitted to travel abroad from 23 June. Travel will be permitted to a few destinations. The statement also mentioned that the categories of people along with the approved destinations would be announced at a later date.
اعتبارا من 23 يونيو الجاري .. #الإمارات تعلن السماح للمواطنين و المقيمين بالسفر إلى وجهات محددة وفق اشتراطات و إجراءات سيتم الإعلان عنها لاحقا#uae
— UAEGov (@uaegov) June 15, 2020
The travel will be facilitated in line with proper precautions to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. Guidelines and procedures for travellers will be rolled out soon and both citizens and residents must adhere to it during their travel to foreign countries and back to the UAE.
On that note, here are 26 Countries That Have Opened & Are Opening Up For Tourism Again Rather Cautiously.
What Else?
Meanwhile there has been a lot of back and forth about UAE visas, ever since the pandemic broke open. UAE authorities had recently announced fine waivers and extensions for expired UAE visas. Holders of expired UAE visas have been granted relief, but what happens to if the visa is cancelled? Here’s everything you need to know about UAE visas.
Also, did you know Egypt Is Reopening Select Tourist Destinations From 1 July?
Earlier, authorities had announced that holders of residency and visit visas that expired on 1 March 2020 have until 1 August 2020 to leave the country without incurring any fines. In addition, residency and visit visas that expired after 1 March 2020, were given an extended validity until the end of the year- 31 December, 2020.
What If My Visa Was Cancelled?
Amer Centre, in a statement to the Gulf News said that ‘holders of cancelled visas and overstay fines for newborn babies inside UAE were not included’ in the visa extension and fine waiver until further notice. As per the new instructions given by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), cancelled residence or visit visas are not included in the amnesty program. The body has left it to individuals to change their visa status or leave the UAE.
Those who overstay in the UAE with cancelled visas will face overstay fines starting AED 221 per day. In case you are unclear about your visa status, you can check by visiting the GDRFA website. Also take a look at these 10 COVID-Free Countries Across The World.
Tourist Visa
Tourists who are already in the UAE can avail a tourist visa by paying AED 2000 (for 30 days) and AED 2400 for (90 days). The documents required are provided in the GDRFA website.
Residence Visa
Meanwhile, all expatriate residence visa, irrespective of whether the person is in or outside the UAE will be valid until the end of December 2020, if the expiry date falls after 1 March 2020. Residence visa holder outside the country for more than 180 days will remain valid and will be allowed to enter the UAE until 31 December 2020.
In addition, all Emirates IDs expiring after 1 March 2020, will also be valid until December 2020. However, this policy does not apply to those with cancelled visas inside the UAE and newborn babies the UAE with overstay fines. On another note, Maldives Plans To Reopen To International Tourists From July.