UN refugee agency hails UAE humanitarian visa
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has warmly welcomed the Cabinet’s decision to allow citizens of war-torn countries who have overstayed their visa period in the UAE to come forward and apply for extendable oneyear residency permits.
“This decision helps to ensure the safety of vulnerable persons unable to return to their countries of origin due to conflict or disasters.
“The UNHCR is currently in close communication with the UAE Government with regards to the decision and will continue to do everything possible to support the relevant authorities,” UNHCR Head of Office Toby Harward told Gulf News.
Harward added that the world is witnessing unprecedented displacement levels for the fifth consecutive year, with over 68 million persons displaced and more than 25 million refugees globally, half of whom are children.
UAE’s solidarity with the displaced
“Now, more than ever, displaced persons are in need of increased support and solidarity. The international community needs to work towards more coordinated and innovative solutions to better assist people who have been forced to flee their homes and the host communities who have shown enormous levels of hospitality.
“The UAE Cabinet’s decision is a great example of solidarity in support of the displaced, continuing within the spirit and the values of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan,” Harward said.
The UAE pledged in 2016 to welcome 15,000 Syrian refugees, but it is not immediately known how many of them were already accepted in the country.