An immigration official checks documents of passenger at Dubai Airport. WAM
An immigration official checks documents of passenger at Dubai Airport. WAM
An immigration official checks documents of passenger at Dubai Airport. WAM
An immigration official checks documents of passenger at Dubai Airport. WAM

Government

Coronavirus: UAE extends amnesty for those in the country with expired visas

Authorities said those who are in the country on lapsed visas have until November 17 to leave without having to pay a penalty

Gillian Duncan
Gillian Duncan

August 17, 2020

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The UAE has extended an amnesty period waiving the fines of residents whose visas expired before March 1.

Authorities said those who are in the country on lapsed visas have until November 17 to leave without having to pay a penalty.

They previously had until August 18.

Major General Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, director general of Foreigners Affairs and Ports for the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), said it includes “all violators” whose visas expired before March 1.

It targets people who were already in the country before March 1 without a valid visa - such as workers with expired permits, jobseekers on expired visit visas and people working without any documents.

Mr Al Rashidi said anyone who leaves the country as part of the amnesty will not be banned from reentering at a later date.

"He emphasised that visa holders wishing to leave the UAE from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah airports must arrive six hours before the flight," said ICA in tweet.

  • Abu Dhabi's Corniche is slowly getting busier as residents brave the summer heat to stretch their legs. Victor Besa / The National
    Abu Dhabi's Corniche is slowly getting busier as residents brave the summer heat to stretch their legs. Victor Besa / The National
  • Bicycle riding is becoming more popular on the city's quieter streets. Victor Besa / The National
    Bicycle riding is becoming more popular on the city's quieter streets. Victor Besa / The National
  • A family goes for a stroll on Abu Dhabi's Corniche. Victor Besa / The National
    A family goes for a stroll on Abu Dhabi's Corniche. Victor Besa / The National
  • Cyclists on foldable bikes make their way through Abu Dhabi's downtown. Victor Besa / The National
    Cyclists on foldable bikes make their way through Abu Dhabi's downtown. Victor Besa / The National
  • Workers get on their shuttle home in downtown Abu Dhabi on Friday evening. Victor Besa / The National
    Workers get on their shuttle home in downtown Abu Dhabi on Friday evening. Victor Besa / The National
  • People wear face masks as they wait for a bus in downtown Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    People wear face masks as they wait for a bus in downtown Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pedestrians cross the street in downtown Abu Dhabi on a hot summer evening. Victor Besa / The National
    Pedestrians cross the street in downtown Abu Dhabi on a hot summer evening. Victor Besa / The National
  • Jet skiers pictured off Abu Dhabi's Corniche at sunset on Friday. Victor Besa / The National
    Jet skiers pictured off Abu Dhabi's Corniche at sunset on Friday. Victor Besa / The National
  • The sun sets over Abu Dhabi on Friday evening. Victor Besa / The National
    The sun sets over Abu Dhabi on Friday evening. Victor Besa / The National
  • Families enjoy the beach as the sun sets over Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Families enjoy the beach as the sun sets over Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

"Meanwhile, those wishing to leave the country through Dubai Airport must visit the deportation centre at the Civil Aviation Security Centre near Terminal 2, 48 hours before the flight."

Anyone whose visa expired or was cancelled between March and July 11, was granted a three-month period to rectify their status or leave the UAE without being fined or banned from entry in future.

For those in the country, breaking the residency visa rules incurs a fine of Dh25 a day. When leaving the country, the fine is Dh250 plus Dh25 a day.

Anyone who would like more information about the amnesty can call the toll-free number, 800453 between 8am and 10pm, except on holidays.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Prop idols

Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.

Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)

An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.

----

Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)

Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.

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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)

Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.

The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

UAE