UAE government confirms that all visa, permit, and Emirates ID violators are exempt from paying fines
14 May 2020
| Last updated on 18 May 2020
The move applies to those with UAE entry or residency permits before March 1, 2020.
Thanks to a directive from His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, all fines received from visa and permit violations will be waived.
The new order comes as a relief for many residents and visitors in the UAE with uncertain statuses as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic travel bans. It is valid for visa and permit holders that expired before March 1, 2020.
Those with UAE entry permits that expired and those leaving the country don't need to pay the fine.
In an official tweet on May 13, Brigadier Khamis Al Kaabi said that the presidential order includes a full waiver of fines for those with expired UAE entry or residency permits willing to leave the country after May 18.
The grace period will last for three months.
The fine waiver also applies for expired Emirates IDs and work permits.
If you’re one of the people where the presidential decision applies, additional good news is that it does not affect your ability to return to the UAE when you meet the necessary conditions.
Ever since nations around the world implemented a coronavirus travel ban, over 29,000 UAE residents have been unable to fly back to the country.
“We urge the public to use the smart platform of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship to get the services they need,” added Brigadier Khamis Al Kaabi.
Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways have re-introduced inbound and outbound repatriation flights from the UAE to a variety of major cities and vice versa. The new flights enable UAE residents stranded abroad to return to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and for foreign citizens and permanent residents to fly home to their countries from the UAE.
Visit the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship platform here: https://www.ica.gov.ae/en/home.aspx