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IMPACT – HIGH
Etihad Airways recently announced that it is providing special flights to help people stranded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Points:
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.
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.
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.
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. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
The United Arab Emirates recently announced the reopening of some government service centers.
Key points:
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.
Effective March 26, all Dubai government departments are closed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Additional information: The other Emirates are implementing similar measures. The Dubai government stated that it expects all government departments to have a remote work program in place by March 29 and visa processing clarification will follow. Urgent visa stamping for approved residence permits is available at the immigration department of the Dubai International Airport. The government may implement a series of temporary measures, including approving visas in-principle, with medical exams, biometrics and visa stamping to follow at a later date.
Analysis & Comments: Employers should anticipate that closures and processing suspension will significantly disrupt business activity and employee mobility. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
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 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.
Dubai immigration authorities have temporarily suspended endorsement of UAE residence visas on passports for in-country visa applications. Applications for in-country visa procedures will continue to be accepted and processed until the visa approval stage. These arrangements will apply until further notice.
Visas/permits/applications affected:
Background: To curb the proliferation of COVID-19, the UAE has put into place a series of restrictive measures, including suspending the issuance of work permits, tourist visas and visas on arrival are suspended until further notice.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs – Dubai has announced that in-country visa applications will continue to be processed; however, once the visa is approved, it will not be stamped in the passport until further notice.
Authorities have further announced that if the employee intends to leave the UAE or a physical visa is urgently needed for other purposes, an exception can be made by approaching immigration at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Analysis & Comments: Companies should expect delays with the employees’ visa endorsements after the suspension is lifted. As yet, there is no announcement by the authorities as to whether new Emirates IDs will also no longer be issued. Deloitte are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you updated on any changes.
The government has implemented further travel restrictions and other measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Additional information: Although the entry ban is initially in force for two weeks, employers and foreign national employees should anticipate that it may be extended. Those affected by the entry ban should contact their employer in the UAE, as well as the relevant UAE diplomatic mission. Families of those affected by the entry ban are urged to contact the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship Operation@ica.gov.ae.
Analysis & Comments: Employers should anticipate that the entry ban and suspension of visa/permit issuance will significantly disrupt business activity and employee mobility. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
The United Arab Emirates has suspended entry to UAE visa holders who are not in the country in effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The restriction include those with valid UAE work/residence visas. The change is effective from today and the decision is renewable every two weeks.
Additional information: The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has urged family of people affected by the entry suspension to contact the ICA by phone or email at Operation@ica.gov.ae in order to help their family member return to the UAE.
Analysis & Comments: The new visa restriction could impact a large number of UAE visa holders not currently in the country. These individuals are encouraged to follow the steps above and to contact Deloitte to facilitate their return to the UAE when possible.
IMPACT – MEDIUM What is the change? The United Arab Emirates banned travel to Iran and Thailand for UAE nationals in an effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
What does the change mean? UAE nationals cannot travel from the UAE to Iran or Thailand at this time. The UAE government has asked UAE nationals in Iran or Thailand to contact UAE embassies in those countries or register for the UAE government’s ‘Tawajudi’ service. This service is operated by the UAE for crisis and emergency communications with UAE nationals.
Background: According to the World Health Organization, Iran has the largest number of COVID-19 cases among Middle Eastern countries, and Thailand has the largest number of cases in Southeast Asia. Analysis & Comments: Direct flights from the UAE to Iran have been suspended. And while flights from UAE to Thailand continue, those planning travel from the UAE to Iran or Thailand may want to reconsider their plans at this point. The response to the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, and Deloitte will provide updates as information becomes available.
IMPACT – LOW
What is the change? The UAE has approved a new five-year multiple-entry tourist visa.
What does the change mean? All visitors to the UAE can now obtain a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa.
Background: The government introduced the visa with the aim of promoting the UAE as an important global tourism destination.
Analysis & Comments: The government has stated that the requirements for obtaining tourist visas will remain the same. Travelers are reminded that neither business nor work activities are permitted on the new visas.