Dubai to offer flexible visa transfer facilities
Flexible transfer of visas from one company to another, and extended stay under the sponsorship of one company while working for another entity are some of the special facilities that are being offered by the Dubai government, according to the head of Immigration in Dubai.
Major-General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA),on Thursday said as part of the measures for residents who have lost their jobs and can’t return to their home countries, flexible visa extension programmes have been established.
He was speaking at a virtual Press conference organised by the Dubai Media Office and was joined by Dr Amer Al Sharif, head of Covid-19 Command and Control Centre and the vice-chancellor of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) on Thursday.
Major-General Al Marri said: “Residency visas that have expired on March 1 will be valid till end of the year, and holders of such visas will be allowed to stay till the end of the year, without paying any fines.
They will be allowed to live legally in the UAE.
“For those who have lost their jobs, they are free to look out for other job opportunities and we will facilitate the transfer of visa from one company to the other. We are also looking to create a system where residents can keep the visa with the previous sponsor and work with another entity,” explained Al Marri.
Private, public hospitals open for treatment
Meanwhile, Dr Sharif said though Rashid Hospital is the main facility handling Covid-19 cases in Dubai, people with symptoms are encouraged to go to private-sector medical facilities as well. “We have an integrated plan with clear measures and we have isolated certain departments in order to combat the spread of the disease. Do not fear, both private and public healthcare facilities are open to treatment,” said Dr Amer.
Furthermore, a decision to extend the National Sterilisation Programme will be made on the scientific results provided by the Supreme Committee for Crisis and Disaster Management. “A decision in this regard will be based on clear indicators and scientific results provided by the authority,” added Dr Amer.