Stuck abroad for more than six months and can’t wait to get back to the UAE? Your UAE residence visa is no longer valid (unless you have a Golden Visa). But the good news is you can still enter the city – as long as you have a return permit to Dubai issued by General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFAD).
Who can get the return permit to Dubai?
Any resident with a valid visa who hasn’t been into the UAE for more than six months can apply for the return permit to Dubai. Accepted reasons for the delay in visitation are:
- Study
- Work
- Medical treatment
- Crisis
What are the documents I need to get the return permit to Dubai?
- Emirates ID copy
- Passport copy
- Proof of reason for staying out of the country for more than six months
How can I get the return permit to Dubai? First, keep your UAE pass handy. Don’t have one? Click here to learn how to get one quickly. Next, go to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai website, gdrfad.gov.ae. UAE passport To log in with your UAE Pass, first click the login tab on the very right of the page. Then, on the pop up, choose the ‘Individuals’ tab and click on ‘log in with UAE pass’. You can also use your Emirates ID to log in at this stage. Either way, once you are logged in, you will find yourself on a personal dashboard. Here, click on ‘Create New Application’. Next, select the ‘Return Permit for Resident outside UAE More than 6 months’ service. Fill in the form (most of it will be automatically filled if you used the UAE Pass). Information required at this step includes sponsor details, passport details, current nationality and mother’s name in both English and Arabic. You’ll also be asked the reason you were out of the country, and you’ll be asked for your emirate of arrival. Next you’ll be asked for your contact details in the city. Then, you’ll need to upload the required documents, so make sure you have your ID ready. Finally, you will be asked to pay the application fee and submit. That’s it. You’ll soon receive a conformation email and a transaction number.
How long will I have to wait to see if my application was accepted?
Typically, the process takes about two working days.
Does the return permit to Dubai expire?
Yes, you have one month from the approval date to re-enter the country as long as your residence visa is still valid for this period.
What will the return permit cost me?
The permit costs Dhs220 (re-entry fees). If you’ve been out of the country for more than 180 days, for each month you spend abroad you’ll need to pay an extra Dhs100.
What if I’m a resident of a different emirate? Can I still get a return permit?
If you are someone who has had to stay out of UAE for more than six months and have a residence visa from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah, apply for a re-entry permit through the ICP smart services portal, smartservices.icp.gov.ae.
