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IMPACT – MEDIUM
The Emirati government has lifted its travel ban on 12 countries in southern Africa.
Key Points:
BAL Analysis: Travel restrictions and health requirements may change with little or no notice. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Emirati government now requires an appointment for those needing to submit biometrics for the issuance of the Emirates Identity Card.
Additional Information: If individuals are unable to attend their appointment, they must provide evidence and a reason for not attending and will be scheduled for the following day.
BAL Analysis: The new biometric appointment system may increase the time required to complete the residency visa process. BAL will continue to monitor changes in requirements and will provide more information as it becomes available.
The Emirati government has announced it will implement a shorter national working week in 2022.
Additional Information: The Emirati government said it changed the national working hours with intentions to promote a healthy work-life balance and improve social well-being while advancing the country’s economic competitiveness.
BAL Analysis: The new working week intends to align the UAE’s financial and public sectors with the global market.
Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Emirati government has suspended the entry of travelers from South Africa and six other countries.
Additional Information: Official delegations are required to quarantine at the airport until the test result is received for them to continue their mission in UAE without the 10-day quarantine. Individuals coming from a third country who have been in one of the aforementioned countries in the 14 days before arrival must stay in that third country for at least 14 days before continuing to the UAE. The UAE is one of several countries to add entry restrictions in response to the emergence of the new virus variant.
BAL Analysis: The Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus will make travel to the UAE from Southern Africa more difficult in the days and weeks ahead. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Emirati government has launched a five-year multiple entry visa for international businesses with offices registered in Dubai.
Additional Information: In October, the Emirati government announced a similar five-year tourist visa available in other emirates apart from Dubai. The new five-year multiple entry visa creates a path for travelers to stay and carry out unpaid business activities in Dubai.
BAL Analysis: The new visa is intended to simplify visa application procedures and provide more paths for foreign nationals needing to enter Dubai. BAL will continue to monitor visa-related developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.
The Emirati government has created a new residence visa for foreign nationals wanting to retire in the United Arab Emirates.
BAL Analysis: The retiree visa scheme will allow qualifying foreign nationals who have worked in the UAE to stay in the country after retirement. Authorities hope the new program will boost foreign investment in the country. BAL will continue to monitor retirement visa developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.
The U.S. will soon lift entry restrictions for fully vaccinated nonimmigrant foreign nationals traveling from Europe and other areas that have been subject to “physical presence” entry bans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some European countries continue to enforce entry restrictions on travelers from the U.S., especially for travelers who are not fully vaccinated.
Entry requirements are as follows:
Additional Information: Many European countries lifted bans on travel from the U.S. in June only to re-impose some restrictions in August and September after the European Union removed the U.S. from its “green list” of safe countries. Entry requirements and health protocols may change with little notice and travelers should be sure to check their destination country’s requirements before travel. Employers and employees should continue to consult their BAL professional before planning any international travel.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global practice. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
The Emirati government has published application requirements for five-year tourist visas in Abu Dhabi and other emirates apart from Dubai.
Additional Information: The five-year tourist visa is available to all nationalities and is designed to be nonexclusive.
BAL Analysis: Paid work activities are not allowed on the five-year tourist visa. BAL will continue to monitor tourist visa developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.
The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has removed the COVID-19 testing requirement to enter the Abu Dhabi.
Additional Information: Some nationalities are now allowed to return without a General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) approval. The notification will be flagged when the employee enters their file number on the GDRFA website. The decision to reduce testing requirements follows the committee’s announcement that that COVID-19 infection rate is at 0.2 percent of total tests taken. Recently, officials reduced travel restrictions and quarantine requirements for individuals arriving from many countries.
BAL Analysis: Inbound travelers now face fewer restrictions and requirements when entering Abu Dhabi. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
The Emirati government recently lifted its travel ban for qualifying foreign nationals from 15 countries.
Additional Information: Children under the age of 16 are exempt from the eligibility requirements. All previously announced heath measures remain in place for unvaccinated individuals from the aforementioned countries.
BAL Analysis: Individuals from the countries above will be able to enter the UAE if they have valid residence visas. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.