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IMPACT – HIGH
The government of Dubai has launched a Virtual Working Program enabling eligible foreign professionals and business owners to work remotely from Dubai for up to one year. Applicants will be able to bring their family members and access all services in Dubai, including schooling.
Key Points:
Analysis & Comments: The Dubai Virtual Working Program presents a unique opportunity for employers who are navigating unprecedented challenges to mobility of talent due to COVID-19 as well as a growth in the non-traditional workforce. However, the program also introduces a number of compliance risks, among them are that Virtual Working Program status holders will not be permitted to work for a local company. Employers should consult with their immigration provider and relevant experts to strategize and assess potential risks.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
The United Arab Emirates extended the amnesty period for residents with visas that expired before March 1.
Additional information: The UAE also made it possible last month for foreign residents in the country with expired visas to renew them until Oct. 10. A toll-free number has been established to answer amnesty-related questions: 800 453.
Analysis & Comments: Allowing residents with visas that expired before March 1 to leave the country without paying fines and without being banned from future re-entry is intended to provide relief to them during the COVID-19 pandemic conditions. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
The United Arab Emirates recently made it possible for inbound air travelers to obtain pre-flight COVID-19 PCR tests outside the UAE.
Additional information: Previously, the number of labs air travelers could use for obtaining their COVID-19 tests was limited. The UAE expanded the number of labs to make the testing process more convenient, but also expanded the list of countries where tests must be taken at one of the identified clinics.
Analysis & Comments: Expanding the number of labs inbound travelers can use to obtain their pre-flight COVID-19 tests should make their testing processes more convenient. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
The United Arab Emirates recently updated its COVID-19 entry testing and visa renewal policies.
The following policies took effect Aug. 1:
Additional Information: The UAE has also modified its COVID-19 visa policies. Under policies that took effect Aug. 1, foreign residents currently in the country now have until Oct. 10 to renew expired visas. Visitors who are currently in the UAE with expired visas have until Aug. 10 to leave or update their status. Residents outside the UAE should return as soon as they are able to do so.
Analysis & Comments: Employers should take note of the new testing requirements and make employee travel arrangements accordingly. The visa renewal policies will provide some relief to individuals whose visas have expired or will expire soon. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management has implemented a procedure for residents wishing to return that differs from the UAE’s federal policy.
Additional information: The federal government has announced that it will begin allowing tourist travel to the UAE effective July 7.
Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.
The United Arab Emirates has moved to reopen government and business operations, but some restrictions on movement remain in place.
Background: Abu Dhabi initially imposed the movement ban in order to carry out extensive COVID-19 testing. Previously, the UAE had increased the government workforce to 30% capacity after having resumed limited services earlier in May.
Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
Etihad Airways recently announced that it is providing special flights to help people stranded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional information: The special flights in May will help people stranded by various national COVID-19 travel restrictions. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
As of June 1, foreign national residents that are stranded outside of the UAE will be permitted to return provided they meet certain conditions.
Additional information: Foreign national residents who were overseas when the country’s borders closed March 19 were instructed to apply for permission to return via the Twajudi assistance portal, a system previously restricted to UAE citizens only. This was subsequently replaced by a dedicated portal for foreign national residents of the UAE, which remains active and can be found here.
Authorities have advised that people who had applications rejected should reapply for permission to return to the UAE after June 1.
The United Arab Emirates recently announced the reopening of some government service centers.
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Additional information: Though government offices are reopening to a limited extent, inbound flights to the UAE remain suspended with the exception of a number of special flights provided by Etihad Airways until May 31. Departures are also restricted and only available for limited outbound repatriation flights.
All visas, entry permits and Emirates IDs that expired on or after March 1 will retain their validity until January 2021. The same is true for expatriate residency visas, whether or not the expatriates are in the country. Visitors who have remained in the UAE and whose visas expired after March 1 will have them extended until January 2021.
Analysis & Comments: The reopening of service centers will make some additional immigration services available, though services will be limited by shortened hours and reduced staffing. Delays should be expected. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
The United Arab Emirates has extended the validity of all visas, entry permits and Emirates ID cards in an effort to ease compliance with immigration requirements in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Analysis & Comments: The visa validity extension is good news for employers, as it will ease compliance with immigration requirements for affected foreign national employees. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.