3 THREE-MONTH GRACE PERIOD FOR RESIDENCY VIOLATORS |
dubai — A grace period of three months, starting from May 18, has been set for all expats who are staying in the UAE in violation of the UAE Foreigners’ Residency and Entry Law, said a senior official of the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (FAIC).
During a virtual Press briefing for the Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) on Wednesday, Brigadier Khamis Al Kaabi, official spokesperson of the FAIC, said that as per a gesture from the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Cabinet issued an order, exempting all expats, including holders of entry permits and residency visas, whose violations of the law happened on or after March 1.
“We urge all expats to register at the FAIC portal to avail of the grace period that shall start on May 18 up to three months. All breaches related to expired Emirates IDs and labour cards will also be cancelled,” Brigadier Al Kaabi pointed out.
“Expats with expired visas shall be able to return and benefit from the grace period without being subject to any administrative action if they meet the criteria.
“Applying to avail of the exemption within the grace period will spare the violators of being subject to the terms of the UAE Foreigners’ and Entry Law or of being denied entry in the future.”
He added over 1.5 million transactions have been processed on the FAIC portal till Wednesday.
Dr Amna Al Dahhak Al Shamsi, official spokesperson of the UAE Government, said that from next week, free Covid-19 tests will be made available to Emiratis.
Upon instructions from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, selected categories of expats will also benefit from the free tests. This include domestic workers of Emiratis (housemaids, drivers etc.), in addition to people of determination, pregnant women and people who are above 50 years of age.
She announced that 34,869 fresh tests have detected 725 new Covid-19 cases in the country. The total tests conducted so far are more than 1.5 million and registered cases constitutes 1.3 per cent of the overall tests.
The total number of Covid-19 infected people stands now at 20,386. As many as 511 new recoveries have been registered, taking the total number of recoveries to 6,523. With three new death cases, the death toll is now 206, she said, adding that a total of 13,657 people are currently receiving treatment.
Dr Al Shamsi attributed the new cases to intensive tests and to the disregard by some community members to follow the safety measures announced by the government.
She stressed on the need to stick to the social distancing rule, avoiding gatherings and wearing a face mask.
Expats with expired visas shall be able to return and benefit from the grace period without being subject to any administrative action if they meet the criteria.” Brigadier Khamis Al Kaabi, official spokesperson of the FAIC