The UAE has launched an initiative to return resident residents with valid residency residing outside the country, targeting the return of nearly 200,000 people, in coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.
This initiative is a continuation of the efforts made by the country in light of the challenges and the crisis (Covid-19) that swept the world.
It was agreed earlier in the return of approximately 31 thousand residents during the period between March 25 to June 8 2020, which gave priority to humanitarian cases and relatives.
Commenting on this, His Excellency Khaled Abdullah Belhoul, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said, "The return of foreign nationals to the country comes within the framework of the UAE's humanitarian efforts in light of the current crisis. He also stressed that during the current phase, the focus will be on residents of families, which represents 50% % of the total stage, which are cases primarily related to the issue of family reunification residing in the country, which confirms the humanitarian message of the UAE and its interest in the community of families residing on the homeland, as will the return of some vital functions associated with basic services to ensure enhancing the quality of life of the community.
For his part, Major General Mansour Ahmed Al-Dhaheri, Director General of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, said: “This initiative came in implementation of the wise leadership’s directions towards enabling the residents residing abroad to return to the Emirates, in the framework of a gradual return to normalcy.”
Regarding the procedures used to obtain approval to return, it requires individuals to register with the “Resident Entry Permit” service on the commission’s website /Smartservice.ica.gov.ae/, and all requests submitted will be answered within 48 hours, and after obtaining approval, the individual will be able to Complete the procedures for reserving the return ticket on the national carriers or other airlines that operate their flights to the country, based on the e-mail received by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.
Checks / Covid-19 / will be conducted for arrivals upon arrival in the state’s lands, and they are obliged to quarantine or house quarantine for a period of 14 days with costs incurred, if any, in addition to the necessity to use one of the approved special applications to track the health status in order to preserve their safety and the safety of society.
The UAE will continue its intensive efforts to combat the emerging epidemic of Covid-19 virus, both internally and externally, in these exceptional circumstances, in a manner that serves citizens and residents on the homeland.
The commission also commends the spirit of cooperation and solidarity demonstrated by all residents, which contributed to strengthening the efforts and goals of the national program to combat the epidemic.