No more visa stickers in passports

Expats in the UAE will soon no longer need to have a residence visa affixed to their passports. According to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, Emirates ID cards issued to expats in the UAE will now be used as valid proof of residence in the United Arab Emirates. This measure will apply to all residence documents issued after April 11.

What does this mean?

This new law aims to accelerate the UAE's digital transition and transformation, particularly in Dubai, by regulating the provision of digital services in the public and private sectors. The ICA clearly stated that the decision to remove residence stickers affixed to residents' passports was made in accordance with the UAE leadership's directives to improve all services and satisfy UAE residents.

In practice

These new procedures will be circulated to airlines, allowing them to verify the validity of residence permits by checking passport numbers and Emirates IDs, which contain all the expatriate's identity and residence information, the circular states. As a reminder, the residence visa was previously a sticker affixed to each expat's passport after they had undergone a medical examination (blood test and chest X-ray). This residence visa is issued for periods of two, three, five, or ten years, depending on the visa held by the resident. Our firm specializes in company formation and residence visas in the UAE and can assist you with all administrative procedures from A to Z. Contact us by phone at +971 52 820 0964 or by email at support@merritt.group.