• The UAE is offering new types of visa, including options for long-stay tourists, jobseekers, accomplished professionals, star students and high-net-worth individuals. Wam
  • A 60-day visit visa for tourists is now standard instead of a 30-day one. Christopher Pike / Bloomberg
  • The Job Exploration Entry Visa was created to attract young talent and skilled professionals. Photo: Dubai Airports
  • Holders of the Green Visa for Skilled Employees and Freelancers will be able to bring any first-degree relative to live with them. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • A five-year multi-entry tourist visa has been introduced. This does not require a sponsor and allows the holder to stay in the country for up to 90 consecutive days, as long as they have $4,000 or its equivalent in their bank account. Christopher Pike / Bloomberg
  • A Green Residence visa for an investor or partner in a company provides five-year residency. It replaces the previous residence permit, which was valid for two years. Photo: DMCC
  • The five-year Green Residence for Skilled Employees visa is to attract experienced professionals, freelancers, investors and entrepreneurs. AFP
  • The 10-year Golden Residence Scheme visa is open to investors, entrepreneurs, scientists and certain other professionals; humanitarians, first responders, and outstanding students and recent graduates. Photo: National Geographic
  • The Golden Visa for Outstanding Students and Graduates is available to secondary school pupils and undergraduates of exceptional academic ability, as well as outstanding graduates of UAE universities and the best 100 universities worldwide. Pawan Singh / The National

Can an entry permit be valid for re-entry to UAE after six months outside the country?


Ramola Talwar Badam
  • English
  • Arabic

Certain categories of UAE residence visa holders can enter the country even if they have lived overseas for more than six months.

Updated guidelines for golden and investor visas allow for some exemptions to the rule that UAE residents must return to the Emirates within the stipulated period for their visas to remain valid.

During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, people with visas that had lapsed were permitted to enter the UAE as global travel restrictions and lockdowns to slow the spread of Covid-19 prevented residents from reaching the country in time.

The rules were gradually brought back into force in mid-2021, with residents with lapsed visas needing to reapply to regularise their status.

Immigration regulations approved by the cabinet aim to make it more attractive for skilled professionals and families of the brightest students to settle down in the Emirates and make the UAE their home.

The National spoke to Haider Hussain, partner at Fragomen, an immigration services company, to pinpoint the categories of residency visas that stand to benefit.

Why is the six-month rule in place?

“It is important for people to be aware of the six-month rule and plan accordingly,” he said.

“They also need to understand the basis of the rule and why authorities have put it in place.

"For individuals on an employment residence permit with accompanying dependents, the expectation is that they will stay in the UAE.

"If they are outside for six months, this is quite a significant period and then that brings into question of whether they are real residents.”

The exemptions are part of enhanced benefits for golden visa holders and investors.

Here are the details of who is exempt from the rule to return to the UAE within six months.

When did entry extension end?

UAE residence permit holders who remain outside the UAE for six consecutive months will not be able to re-enter on their existing residence permit as this would become inactive.

During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, UAE residents stuck outside the country were allowed to enter even if their residency visas crossed the six-month period as an exceptional measure to support those affected by various international travel restrictions.

Authorities did not announce a rollback date of that exemption, but rules were re-enforced from the middle of last year.

Any exceptions to this rule?

Generally allowances are not made.

But in case a person has a genuine reason, such as medical causes or border closures due to which they were unable to re-enter the UAE in time, an official letter can be submitted to immigration authorities.

Will golden visas remain valid?

  • Nurse Silpa Suresh and husband, ER nurse Jephy Antony, at NMC Royal Hospital, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
    Nurse Silpa Suresh and husband, ER nurse Jephy Antony, at NMC Royal Hospital, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
  • Smitha Bhavanam, an emergency nurse in Abu Dhabi, with her family. Photo: Smitha Bhavanam
    Smitha Bhavanam, an emergency nurse in Abu Dhabi, with her family. Photo: Smitha Bhavanam
  • Ms Bhavanam. News about her golden visa means she doesn't have to worry about the visa status of her teenage son once he completes high school. Photo: Smitha Bhavanam
    Ms Bhavanam. News about her golden visa means she doesn't have to worry about the visa status of her teenage son once he completes high school. Photo: Smitha Bhavanam
  • Ajas Aliyar, a nurse working in an Abu Dhabi ICU rapid response team, remembers the Covid-19 patients his team fought to keep alive. Photo: Ajas Aliyar
    Ajas Aliyar, a nurse working in an Abu Dhabi ICU rapid response team, remembers the Covid-19 patients his team fought to keep alive. Photo: Ajas Aliyar
  • Dr Anupuma Wazir, head of emergency at NMC Speciality hospital, Dubai, with her children. Photo: Dr Wazir
    Dr Anupuma Wazir, head of emergency at NMC Speciality hospital, Dubai, with her children. Photo: Dr Wazir
  • Dr Anupuma Wazir receives a certificate of appreciation for work as a ‘corona warrior'. Photo: Dr Wazir
    Dr Anupuma Wazir receives a certificate of appreciation for work as a ‘corona warrior'. Photo: Dr Wazir
  • Nurse Joslin Coelho remembers the challenge of working in full protective gear while caring for Covid-19 patients. Photo: Joslin Coelho
    Nurse Joslin Coelho remembers the challenge of working in full protective gear while caring for Covid-19 patients. Photo: Joslin Coelho
  • Nurse Joslin Coelho says news of the nursing community receiving golden visas has brought much joy. Photo: Joslin Coelho
    Nurse Joslin Coelho says news of the nursing community receiving golden visas has brought much joy. Photo: Joslin Coelho

As per regulations, 10-year golden visa holders can stay outside the UAE for more than six months without any change to their residence permit status.

This extends to family members they have sponsored, who received 10-year residence permits.

To which other visa categories does this apply?

Some residents can remain outside the UAE for more than six months and their status will remain unchanged as per a 2014 government decision.

  • Investors with residence permits under an approved classification, government employees sent abroad for medical reasons or on assignment
  • A foreign national wife of an Emirati citizen sponsored by her husband
  • Domestic helpers accompanying Emirati citizens
  • People sponsored by the diplomatic or consular representative of the UAE
  • Foreign national students enrolled with a university or institute abroad. This applies to Dubai

Does this cover students in universities overseas?

Foreign students studying abroad at a university or institute will be allowed to enter the UAE even after six months of overseas stay, as long as they hold a Dubai-issued residence permit and their port of entry is Dubai.

Students need to provide proof at immigration, such as a valid student identity card or university enrolment letter.

For other emirates, students must check the status of their residence permit on the ICA portal before travelling.

The status can be checked at this online government channel.

What is the procedure for students in other emirates?

For other emirates, a request must be completed to authorities for the visa of dependent students to be revalidated.

“In Dubai, it’s largely a streamlined process where they can re-enter,” Mr Hussain said.

“In any other emirate other than Dubai, we have had cases in the past few months where visas were inactive and we needed to prepare a letter to request that it be made active and it is done.

“That is why it is important families should check the validity of a student’s permit.”

Racecard

6pm: The Pointe - Conditions (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m

6.35pm: Palm West Beach - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (T) 1,800m

7.10pm: The View at the Palm - Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

7.45pm: Nakeel Graduate Stakes - Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m

8.20pm: Club Vista Mare - Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,900m

8.55pm: The Palm Fountain - Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m

9.30pm: The Palm Tower - Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,600m

3%20Body%20Problem
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreators%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20David%20Benioff%2C%20D%20B%20Weiss%2C%20Alexander%20Woo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBenedict%20Wong%2C%20Jess%20Hong%2C%20Jovan%20Adepo%2C%20Eiza%20Gonzalez%2C%20John%20Bradley%2C%20Alex%20Sharp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company profile

Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space

Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)

Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)

Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi 

Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution) 

Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space  

Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

The Bio

Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.

Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.

Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.

Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.

MATCH INFO

Inter Milan 1 (Martinez 18' pen)

Juventus 2 (Dybala 4', Higuain 80')

Tips%20for%20travelling%20while%20needing%20dialysis
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EInform%20your%20doctor%20about%20your%20plans.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAsk%20about%20your%20treatment%20so%20you%20know%20how%20it%20works.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPay%20attention%20to%20your%20health%20if%20you%20travel%20to%20a%20hot%20destination.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPlan%20your%20trip%20well.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Summer special
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

The biog

Born November 11, 1948
Education: BA, English Language and Literature, Cairo University
Family: Four brothers, seven sisters, two daughters, 42 and 39, two sons, 43 and 35, and 15 grandchildren
Hobbies: Reading and traveling

SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4-litre%20flat-six%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E525hp%20(GT3)%2C%20500hp%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E465Nm%20(GT3)%2C%20450Nm%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh944%2C000%20(GT3)%2C%20Dh581%2C700%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Hydrogen: Market potential

Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.

"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.

Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.

The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.

%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WandaVision

Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany

Directed by: Matt Shakman

Rating: Four stars

MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.

The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?

My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.

The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.

So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.

 

 

SQUADS

Bangladesh (from): Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Mosaddek Hossain, Nayeem Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain, Abu Jayed

Afghanistan (from): Rashid Khan (capt), Ihsanullah Janat, Javid Ahmadi, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Qais Ahmad, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Afsar Zazai, Shapoor Zadran

'Peninsula'

Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra

Director: ​Yeon Sang-ho

Rating: 2/5

Updated: January 29, 2024, 6:49 AM