Dubai to extend validity of expired residence visas

Dubai: In a timely relief to expats from stuck in India and other countries due to Covid-related travel restrictions, Dubai has extended the validity of all expired residence visas for a month till December 9 Indications are that as per new norms, applicants need to reach Dubai before November 9 and apply for new visas. Thousands of Indians, especially Keralites, whose visas had expired during the period when restriction to the Emirates were in place, will benefit from the latest notification. Surprisingly, such a provision has been offered without any official announcement. The information was provided by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). You can visit https://amer.gdrfad.gov.ae/visa-inquiry to check if your visa has been extended.   Entry permit holders to be allowed to enter Dubai In addition to residence visa holders, those with only entry permit can also visit Dubai. They can reach the country via the Emirates and Flydubai airlines. Entry permit is the permission given to enter the country when a person applies for a new visa. This permit later becomes a residential visa after medical examination and stamping it on the passport. There is also talk that visiting visa holders will also be allowed to enter Dubai soon.   Visitors should apply for permission at GDRFA. Along with this RTPCR Covid negative certificate with a validity of 48 hours and a PCR test is done four hours prior to the journey at the airport are also required.   In Points The extended residencies have been applied in the following conditions: 1.Residency visas that have expired during the period from 20th April 2021 and those which will expire until 9th November 2021. 2.Residency visas will not be extended for residents who have stayed outside the UAE for more than 6 months if they left before 20th October 2020. 3.Print out of GDFRA approval and visa extension online copy 4.A negative PCR test report taken no later than 48 hrs prior to travel, with QR code 5.A negative rapid PCR test was taken no later than 4 hours prior to departure at the airport.   (Sources)