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Over six-month stay abroad invalidates UAE visa
Over six-month stay abroad invalidates UAE visa


In case visa holders stay outside the country for more than six months they have to first cancel the residence visa and apply for a new one, as per a new procedure.

Dubai - It is no longer possible to prevent automatic invalidation of the residence visa if its holder stays outside the country for over six months, according to the Amer immigration helpline in Dubai

A representative at the official helpline told Khaleej Times that the rule change applies to all residence visa holders, irrespective of their situation. So even if a woman who has gone home for delivery stays outside the UAE for more than six months, the visa will become invalid automatically.

Only certain categories are exempt from the rule. “(In case visa holders stay outside the country for more than six months) they have to first cancel the residence visa and apply for a new one, as per a new procedure,” the representative said.

S. Reddy, an Indian expatriate, told KT he checked with the Dubai immigration helpline and they confirmed the rule change. “The new procedure is not good because most of the expatriate families shuffle between two countries. Sometimes children are studying in different countries, and mothers are at times required to stay outside the country for longer periods. So the new rule can be very troublesome,” he said.

The change in procedure has been brought about “without any prior notice”. “If we were given sufficient time, we could have organised our family travel plans to suit visa requirements,” he said, requesting the authorities to restore the old policy.

Sherif Al Wakeel, an Egyptian expatriate, said the new rule will make things difficult for him, as his wife is expected to deliver next month. “She has been outside the country for almost six months now and can’t make it back to the UAE in time.



Source:Khaleejtimes


http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/inside.asp?section=government&xfile=/data/government/2015/April/government_April21.xml

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