UAE residents who have stayed outside of the country for over 180 days can now return

UAE residents who have stayed outside of the country for over 180 days can now return

Dubai-based carrier Flydubai has confirmed via a statement on its website that UAE residents who have stayed outside of the country for over 180 days can now return until March 31, 2020.

The airline added that those who hold a valid Dubai-issued residence visa, should obtain an approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to return to Dubai before booking their flight. Without approval to return to Dubai from the GDRFA, they will not be allowed to board their flight. (The visa validity can be checked here.)

For others with a valid residence visa issued by any other emirate in the UAE, they will need to confirm their entry/re-entry to the UAE at uaeentry.ica.gov.ae before booking their flight. If they do not confirm this, they will also be denied boarding. (visas issued from emirates other than Dubai can check their visa validity here).

However, the airline confirmed added that those who have a UAE resident visa which expired before March 1, 2020, will not be allowed to enter the UAE, and the same rule shall apply to those with a UAE resident visa which expired after March 1, 2020, and which was extended until December 31, 2020. These