The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICA) has issued a circular to the General Civil Aviation Authority stating that expatriates in the UAE will soon no longer require residency visas to be stamped on their passports, the residency will be clubbed with Emirates ID and so their Emirates ID will be used as a proof of valid UAE residency. The ID contains all relevant residency-related information.
This will be applicable for residency documents issued after April 11.
This will be circulated to airlines to enable them to verify residency through residents’ Emirates ID and passport numbers.
The move was confirmed by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security on Tuesday which said it was a UAE Cabinet decision that aims to upgrade the services offered to the people in the country.
A Residency visa is a sticker stamped on expatriates’ passports after they undergo a medical test. It’s issued for two-, three-, five, or 10-year periods, depending on the visa a resident has.
Source: Khaleej Times, Gulf News
