Expired UAE residence visas to be renewed automatically for three months

On Monday, March 30, the UAE Cabinet approved a series of new initiatives, foremost among which was the automatic extension of residence permits expiring from March 1.

The residence visas would be extended for a renewable period of three months without any fees to ease the economic impact of the Covid-19 crisis on residents, official news agency WAM reported.

UAE Cabinet approves new measures to contain impact of COVID-19, including extension of residence permits expiring on March 1st, 2020, for a renewable period of three months without any additional fees upon renewal.https://t.co/fGUIHXamEF

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 30, 2020

The Cabinet has also waived the administrative fines associated with infractions on the services provided by the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship, starting April 1 and lasting for a renewable period of three months.

The initiatives also entail granting a temporary license to use digital solutions for remotely notarising and completing judicial transactions.

Government services expiring from March 1 will also be extended from April 1 for a renewable period of three months. The decision applies to all federal government services, including documents, permits, licenses and commercial registers.

The UAE has introduced a slew of initiatives to control the spread of the Covid-19 virus, including the online renewal of driving licences and vehicle’s registration cards.

Read: Motorists in the UAE can renew driving licences online

The country’s telecom regulator, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), also issued a directive that no mobile service with expired ID documents will be disconnected or suspended in the UAE.

Read more: Mobiles in the UAE will not be disconnected due to expired IDs

The UAE has reported a total of 611 Covid-19 infections and five related deaths in the country.

A national sterilisation programme is underway that will continue until Saturday April 4, concluding on the morning of Sunday, April 5.

Read more: UAE extends sterilisation programme, movement to remain restricted

Carried out daily from 8pm until 6am the following morning, the programme will include the disinfection of private and public facilities.