Back in April, the UAE government announced that it will be extending the validity of all residency visas, entry permits, and Emirates IDs until the end of the year (December 2020).
This is great news for all expats in the country, who are just as affected by the current crisis, as they will not have to worry (for now) how and when to renew their visas since everyone has been instructed by the government to stay at home and to be safe.
Here’s How to Check if your UAE Visa Validity Extended has been extended until End of 2020
In line with this, the government has also announced that the update for the extension of the above-listed documents will be automated. This means that you won’t have to renew your documents once they expire after March 1, 2020. But what you need to do is to check if this has been applied to your document(s).
Websites to Check Visa Validity
In this post, we will share the process on how to check the validity of your UAE visa online:
There are two ways for you to check the validity of your UAE visa. You can visit
- https://amer.gdrfad.gov.ae/visa-inquiry
- http://www.gdrfa.ae/portal/pls/portal/INIMM_DB.DBPK_VISAVALIDITY.Query_VisaValidity
These 2 links will allow you to enter your details and see until when your visas will be valid.
Both websites will require you to provide basic information such as your visa number, first name, nationality, date of birth. After you have provided all the details correctly, the website will share with you the status of your visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Also, here are some frequently asked questions regarding the validity extension of your UAE documents for your reference:
1. How do I avail of the visa validity extension?
According to Brigadier Khamis Al Kaabi, the official spokesperson of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC), visa validity extension will be done automatically until the end of 2020.
2. Can I still use my expired Emirates IDs after March 1 for bank and official government transactions?
Yes. Expired Emirati IDs for both Emiratis and expats will still be accepted for bank and government services and other official transactions up to the end of 2020. Also, Brig Al Kaabi said: “We will have the unified system halt the SMS alerts that are being sent to expats and Emiratis to remind them of the need to renew their Emirates IDs.”
3. If an expat stays out of the country for more than six (6) months, will their visas be canceled?
The visa validity extension applies to residents both inside and outside of the country. This means that even if you are outside of the UAE for more than six months within the effectivity of the extension, residency visas won’t be canceled. The same goes for visit visas and entry permits.
4. Will expats incur any overstay fines for the lapsed period?
Due to the current situation, the UAE government has decided not to impose any delay fines for expats who can’t stamp their visas, get their Emirates ID processed, or obtain their medical insurance.
For expats staying in the UAE during the crisi, here are the official numbers for advice and information:
UAE: +971 56 3713 090
Saudi Arabia: 937
Kuwait: 24970967 – 96049698 – 99048619
Bahrain:(+973) 17246769
What do you think about the process of the visa validity extension set by the UAE government? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.