UAE residents must normally return within six months to keep their residence visa valid. Staying longer can cancel your residency.
However, the UAE allows certain residents to apply for an entry permit to return after six months abroad. This ensures you can reactivate your residency if your extended absence was for valid reasons.
Who Needs an Entry Permit?
Residents with valid residence visas who stayed outside the UAE for study, work, or medical treatment beyond 180 days can apply.
Legally, exceeding six months cancels your residency. The entry permit gives a legal way to return, subject to approval by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP).
Requirements to Apply
- Submit the application from outside the UAE.
- Your residence visa must have at least 30 days’ validity left.
- Apply only after staying abroad for 180 days or more.
- If sponsored by a company, the application can be submitted by the employer or resident.
- Provide a justification for staying abroad.
- Pay a fine of Dh100 for every 30 days or less spent outside the UAE.
- Once approved, re-enter the UAE within 30 days, including the approval date.
Exempted Categories
Certain residents can remain outside the UAE for more than six months without needing an entry permit:
- Holders of gold, blue, and green residency permits, as long as their visas are valid.
- Foreign wives of Emirati citizens.
- Domestic helpers accompanying Emiratis for study or medical treatment abroad.
- Expatriates and their families sent abroad for treatment with a UAE-approved medical report.
- Domestic helpers working with UAE diplomatic and consular missions abroad.
- Expatriates in the public sector sent overseas for work, training, or specialist courses, along with families.
- Students studying abroad with valid UAE residence visas.
- Investors holding valid residence visas.
- Residents sponsored by UAE diplomatic representatives, along with dependents.
- Any other resident exempted by an ICP decision, provided they have a valid visa and pay the fees.
How to Apply for an Entry Permit
Residents whose visas expired due to staying abroad beyond six months can apply through the ICP Smart Services platform (smartservices.icp.gov.ae) or via registered typing centres and ICP Customer Happiness Centres.
Steps to apply:
- Visit the ICP Smart Services portal.
- Select ‘Public Services’ → ‘Residents Outside the UAE’ → ‘Start Service’.
- Enter applicant details: full name (English & Arabic), mobile number, and email.
- Provide Emirates ID number, full name, gender, date of birth, and nationality.
- Explain your reason for staying abroad beyond six months.
- Enter passport details: type, number, issue, and expiry date.
- Indicate if you belong to an exempted category and upload supporting documents.
- Review your application and pay fees.
Fees
- E-service fees: Dh28
- ICP fees: Dh22
- Smart service fee: Dh100
Conclusion
Staying abroad for more than six months doesn’t have to cancel your UAE residency. Eligible residents can apply for an entry permit to return legally.
Need help with your entry permit? AR Associates can guide you through the ICP application process. Contact AR Associates to ensure a smooth return to the UAE.
