Indian expat Ummer Koya has been in India since June 18, and when he completed 6 months outside UAE in December, the worry stuck him high that he wouldn’t get return back. This was the plight of many expats who were relieved by latest announcement that they can return back to UAE until March 31. The only requirement is that they must have valid visa and approval to return. 

Earlier, UAE resident visa holders were required to return to UAE within six months or 180 days to ensure the visa validity in case they travel abroad.

Ummer Koya, the 51 year old boat driver said from his hometown in Kerala, “I am very happy to know there is still scope for me to get the approval to return till March 31. My family is also happy to know this.”

“This is a special consideration given to people like me during the COVID-19 pandemic. I thank the authorities for this. I just pray that I will soon get the approval to return also,” he added.

Gulf News reported the development on Tuesday on basis of the travel updates released by airlines like Fly Dubai and Air India Express.

“If you hold a UAE resident visa and have stayed outside of the country for more than 180 days, you will be allowed to enter the UAE until 31 March 2021,” the flydubai website stated. Many expats are going to benefit from the extension till March 31.

Mohammed Dawood Khan, President of Chinar Wing of Pakistan Association Dubai, said many Pakistani expats have also expressed their happiness on the announcement. “We had repatriated several Pakistani expats due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of them, who want to return, haven’t been getting approvals. Those who still have valid visa are now happy that they still have the chance to try for approval and come back before March 31,” he said.

Pakistani expat in Dubai Raja Asad Khalid said that his friends Muhammad Zaheed and Bashir Awan are also stuck back home since several months now. “They have been in touch with me. When I shared this news, they were very happy. They are now hopeful that they will get the approval and manage to return during this extension period,” he said. T

The flydubai website has clearly states that passengers holding UAE residence visa that has expired before March 1, 2020, and those who are holding visas that expired after March 1 won’t be allowed to enter the UAE even if the visa was extended until December 31, 2020. These passengers must apply for a new visa.

The website said, “Passengers holding UAE residence visa that expired before 01 March 2020 are not permitted to enter the UAE. You need to apply for a new visa. Passengers holding UAE residence visa that expired after 01 March 2020 and was extended until 31 December 2020, you will not be allowed to enter the UAE. You must apply for a new visa.”

“If you hold a valid Dubai-issued residence visa, make sure you can obtain an approval from Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to return to Dubai before booking your flight. Without approval to return to Dubai, you will not be accepted for travel,” flydubai stated.

“If you hold a valid residence visa issued by any other emirate, you will need to confirm your entry/re-entry to the UAE [ through the portal for UAE entry under the ICA] before booking your flight. If you do not confirm your entry/re-entry to the UAE, you will not be accepted for travel,” it added.