UAE Entry Permit Waiver for Residents with Expired Visas

In response to the regional conflict, a number of residents left the UAE and were unable to return before their residency visas expired. The ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security) has responded with a temporary measure that directly addresses this situation.

Residents currently outside the UAE whose residency visas have expired may return to the country without obtaining a new entry permit. This measure is valid for one month only, from 28.02. to 31.03.2026.

Who Is Eligible

The waiver applies to residents who were abroad when the conflict intensified and whose UAE residency visas expired during that period. It is described as a response to exceptional circumstances that prevented residents from returning before their visa expiry date. The ICP has confirmed that eligible residents may re-enter the UAE and then regularise their residency status through official procedures after arrival.

It is important to note that the waiver covers the return entry only. Residents who return under this measure will still be required to go through the appropriate processes to bring their status up to date once they are back in the country. This may include medical fitness screening, GDRFA documentation, and the standard renewal process.

The Deadline

This is a time-limited measure. Residents who are eligible and wish to make use of this waiver must return before 31.03.2026. Those who do not return within this window will need to apply for a new entry permit through the standard process, which involves additional steps and costs.

If you have employees, partners, or family members currently outside the UAE in this situation, now is the time to act.

What Happens After Return

Upon re-entering the UAE under this waiver, residents are expected to regularise their status without delay. This means starting the visa renewal process promptly. Delays after return could result in an overstay situation, which carries financial penalties under UAE immigration law.

The standard process for renewing a UAE employment visa includes a medical fitness test, Emirates ID renewal, and submission of the updated visa application through the employer or a registered typing centre. Processing times vary, but working with an experienced visa services provider can reduce delays and ensure documentation is submitted correctly the first time.

For Employers

If your business employs staff who left the UAE during the conflict and have not yet returned, you should check whether their visas have expired and communicate the deadline clearly. As an employer sponsoring a UAE residence visa, you have a responsibility to ensure your employees’ documentation is in order.