U.S. Citizen Alert: U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi and U.S. Consulate General Dubai (July 13, 2020)
Alerts are released on Mondays. Any urgent updates may be released in addition to regularly scheduled Alerts.
UAE government announces changes to residency visa rules: The UAE cabinet announced the extension of validity for residency visas and entry permits through the end of this year will no longer be applicable as of July 11. The UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has provided the following guidance:
- UAE residents present in the country with a residency visa which expired after March 1 will have a three-month grace period to renew their visa from July 12. Fines will be levied if the residency visa is not renewed within the three-month grace period.
- UAE residents stuck outside the UAE for less than six months will have 1 month from the day they land in the UAE to renew their visas.
- For UAE residents stuck outside the country for longer than six months will be given a grace period effective from the date of the opening of airspace between the two countries as determined by ICA.
- For tourists stuck in the UAE whose visas expired after March 1st, they will have one month from July 12 to exit the country without paying fines.
For more information, please contact the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA). Dubai residents may contact the General Directorate of Residence and Foreigner Affairs.
The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and U.S. Consulate General in Dubai continue to operate at reduced capacity.
If you are an American citizen in need of an emergency service, please send an email to AbuDhabiACS@state.gov (Abu Dhabi and Al Ain) or DubaiACS@state.gov (for Dubai and other emirates).
Actions to Take:
-Enroll in STEP at step.state.gov to receive alerts and ensure you can be located in an emergency.
-Confirm the validity of your travel documents, including passports and visas.
-Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date COVID-19 information.
-For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
-Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
-Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in the UAE.
-Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
-Check with your airlines regarding information about your travel plans or restrictions.
Assistance: U.S. citizens in need of emergency assistance can email American Citizen Services at AbuDhabiACS@state.gov (for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain) or DubaiACS@state.gov (for Dubai and other emirates).
U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassies District, Plot 38, Sector W59-02, Street No. 4
+971 2 414 2200
U.S. Consulate General Dubai
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed and Al Seef Streets
+971 4 309 4000