Manama: The UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship will restart receiving renewal applications for expired residency visas and ID cards on Sunday. This is in line with the cabinet decision, which has cancelled visa extension to expats. Fee and fines for various services from the federal authority will be collected from Sunday.
The authority called on its clients to initiate the renewal of expired ID cards and residency permits of UAE citizens, GCC citizen and expat residents who are present in the country, emirate news agency WAM reported.
The authority will start being accepted on August 8 renewal applications for residency visas and ID cards that expired between March and April, from Sunday.
The renewal application for visa/ ID cards that expired in May will begin receiving on August 8.
For those that expired between June 1 and July 11 will be accepted as renewal applications from September 10. For those expiring July 12 onwards, their renewal applications are not restricted to a specific date. It means that they can submit their application for renewal at any time.
The authority requested everyone to take advantage of the smart services it provides (on its website, ica.gov.ae), and abide by the renewal schedule to avoid incurring administrative fines.
The cabinet on Monday cancelled a previous decision to extend the validity of visas and entry permits for those in the UAE from March 1 until December 31.
Instead, a three-month grace period has been given for residents to renew their residency visas if they have been in the country.
Earlier, it had been announced by the authorities that holders of UAE residency or entry permits (visit/tourist visas) that expired after March 1 would be granted validity of visa until December this year. However, on Friday, this was cancelled and residency visa renewals are set to start on July 12.
Meanwhile, Indian expats stranded in India can start to return to the UAE from Sunday as part of a new 15-day agreement between the two countries.
The first flight will be an Air India special from New Delhi, and will land in Sharjah around 10.40am on Sunday. It will follow Air India and Air India Express that will be landing in Dubai, Abu Dhabi. SpiceJet has announced flights to Ras Al Khaimah.
