BREAKING// UAE allows return of vaccinated holders of valid residence visa, including those who stayed abroad for over six months

(FATF) in October 2021. During the meeting, the Executive Office of AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) gave a presentation on the advancements made within the country's assessment file with regards to the FATF; the latest developments in the implementation of the national action plan to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, and the most prominent achievements and challenges related to meeting various targets related to FATF recommendations and reflecting it in the UAE’s report as highlighting the efforts of all bodies and task forces in the country. The Committee was also briefed on national initiatives and projects recently adopted by the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), including studies related to the legislative framework of non-conviction-based confiscation mechanisms and the confiscation of foreign proceeds of original crime and the guidance for government agencies to implement targeted financial sanctions. The Committee also welcomed the decision to adopt the general framework for the regulation of virtual assets at the state level, which aims to provide a legislative and supervisory mechanism to reduce the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing associated with virtual assets in light of the increasing global recognition and investment in these assets. The meeting was attended by Obaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Sultan Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice, Hessa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, Khaled Balama Al Tamimi, Governor of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, Ali Saeed Matar Al Neyadi, Commissioner of Customs and Chairman of the Federal Customs Authority, Lieutenant-General Talal Al Falasi, Director-General of the State Security Department in Dubai, and

Lieutenant-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police. Also in the attendance were Ibrahim Mohammed Al Zaabi, Director General of the State Security Service, Rashid Al Ameri, Undersecretary for Government Coordination Sector at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, and Hamid Saif Al Zaabi, Director-General of the Executive Office to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, Nasser Ismail, Assistant Undersecretary of Social Welfare at the Ministry of Community Development, Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Director of the Economic Affairs Department The Supreme Council for National Security, and Amina Fikri, Director of the Economic and Trade Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

ABU DHABI, 10th September 2021 The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) have announced permitting return of fully vaccinated - with World Health Organisation-approved vaccines holders of valid UAE residence visa coming from the countries previously on the suspended list, starting from 12 September 2021. The decision covers passengers coming from

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Namibia, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa, Nigeria and Afghanistan, the two authorities said in a joint statement today. Arriving passengers must apply via the website of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), and complete the vaccination application in order to get the necessary approvals, in addition to presenting the approved vaccination certification upon departure for the UAE. A negative PCR test result, done within 48 hours before departure at an approved lab that has a QR code, must also be presented before departure. They must also undertake a Rapid PCR test before boarding and another PCR test on the fourth and eight day of arrival while complying with all precautionary measures in place, are also required. Children under 16 years old are exempt from these procedures. Those who are fully vaccinated with any WHO-approved vaccines and who have been staying in one of the countries in the suspended list for more than six months since suspension decision was issued for each country, can come to the country under a new entry permit, and rectify their status after entry. All other previously announced precautionary measures for unvaccinated people coming from those countries remain in place.