Many stranded residents are struggling to enter UAE as flights are suspended since April 2021, but yesterday UAE announced entry rules for 6 six countries, so will GDRFA approval help stranded people enter UAE even their visas are expired?

The question is still not yet answered by officials. But it is true that GDRFA Return Permit service is started gain. we guided stranded residents with procedure on how to get approval.

GDRFA Return Permit Service:

Yes you heard it right; a previous approval system started to facilitate the return of Dubai Residents stranded abroad.

Let’s learn how to apply for Entry Permit and get easy approval through General Directorate of Residency and Foreign affairs Dubai in 5 easy steps.

Step 1: Click Return Permit Link:

First step is to visit the official website of Amer GDRFA through below link.

Click Here

we suggest everyone to use desktop/PC to fill the form as currently to mobile version is not working properly. If you don't have PC/Desktop/Laptop, you can change mobile chrome settings to desktop version.

Step 2: Search Your Profile:

After clicking above link, you will be redirected to a page where resident need to search his/her profile in immigration system, you need to write:

· Residence Number (File Num) from your Visa Page pasted on Passport

· Nationality

· Year of Birth

· Clear the Captcha code and click search

Once clicked search button, you will be able to see your English/Arabic name with nationality and visa expiry date, if the applicant details are correct click on continue button to begin form filling.

GDRFA entry permit for stranded resident outside UAE

Step 3: Travel Information:

Choose the country you are stranded in and select DXB (Dubai International Airport) as a arrival airport. Write your email address on which you will receive entry permit approval mail, pass captcha and continue button.

Step 4: Upload Documents:

This is the most important point, to avoid any delay in application processing; the uploaded documents should be valid and clear. The attachment should be clear and legible before posting. Please note that GDRFA staff to approve or reject your application by checking your uploaded copies.

We request you to upload clear face and text (High Quality JPEG) documents otherwise your application will be rejected.

Require documents are:

· Valid Passport Copy

· Residence Visa Copy

· Emirates ID Copy (both sides)

· Covid-19 Vaccine Certificate

To get GDRFA instant approval, we recommend everyone to upload your covid-19 vaccine certificate either taken inside UAE or outside UAE, better to upload AL HOSN app status showing that you are vaccinated.

Note: If your request is rejected, you can submit a new application only after 5 days from rejection date. also if you have already received the approval of gdrfa return permit but cannot travel due to any issue, you can reapply for new permit in the last 7 days before the expiry of first approved permit.

If you are facing rejection, try to upload company letter (NOC) along with above documents, if you have any other document such labour card, passport size photo, air ticket etc you can upload it but the important one are Passport, Visa and ID. You can upload up to 10 documents. Once uploaded, click on continue.

Step 5: Fees and Payment:

Last step is to submit the application; the service is free of charge. Click post button to send your return permit application.

Once you clicked post button, you will be redirected to a confirmation page with details of your application name, number and the uploaded documents.

You will also receive an immediate mail from GDRFA Smart channel with your filled details.

Additional Documents Required:

If your uploaded documents are not enough for the approval, you will get email reply from GDRFA that upload additional documents, the question is what document you need to upload again? to do this, you first need to check which document you uploaded earlier, if it is passport, visa and emirates ID, now try to upload vaccine certificate, company letter, profile photo or labour card.

Again, we will recommend to upload HD Scanned documents.

Approval of Entry Permit:

Mostly it take one or two days to approve the request (sometime minutes) but as the service is reaching more and more people the system is taking more time to approve the requests, but don’t worry it will not take more than 1 week to approve your request.

Entry permit approval for UAE Stranded resident

Once approved, you will be notified through mail with above attached approval sample. You can than book ticket to travel Dubai but only if flights operation resumed and you have covid-19 vaccine certificate.

What to do in-case of continues rejection?
In-case your application is getting rejected by authorities, it means you have stayed for more than 6 months outside UAE, or your visa category is 3 or 4, this the main reason of rejection.

But don't worry, you still have opportunity to get GDRFA approval, and it can be through your sponsor (company). your company (sponsor) need to apply for your Return permit in Dubai, This is confirmed from Emirates Airline and GDRFA Director General Major Mohammed Al Marri. if your company cannot apply online, the company PRO must visit AMER center with your passport, visa and ID copy to get approval.

Q: Is there any criteria for approving a return permit for Dubai residents?
A: All residents in the UAE can return to the country. However, there are some companies that must apply for the return permit on behalf of their sponsored employees. we have approved some such requests already. This is important because the residents return with guaranteed employment.

This question is also answered by Emirates Airline, check below email reply.

Important Points:

· Only Dubai residence visa holders can apply for this service.

· Dubai residents who applied for ICA Approval can apply through GDRFA Return permit service, no need to wait for ICA approval, residents of other emirates need to wait for the ICA approval.

· To get your application approve, only upload clear documents.

· Only book your ticket if flights are started.

· Returning residents can fly on any of the airlines that have approved flights to Dubai airports.

· All arriving passengers must get covid19 vaccine certificate in home country.

· Arriving residents must complete Health Declaration form.

· Residents to bear the cost of COVID19 tests (if required) in UAE.

· GDRFA organizes the arrival of residents.

Disclaimer:

The below categories are exempted from vaccination certificate:

· Medical personnel working in the country including doctors, nurses, technicians (vaccinated and non-vaccinated).

· Those working in the educational sector who teach in universities, colleges, schools and institute (vaccinated and non-vaccinated).

· Students studying in the country (vaccinated and non-vaccinated).

· People who deserve humanitarian consideration with valid residency visa (vaccinated and non-vaccinated).

· Workers in federal and local government authorities (vaccinated and non-vaccinated).

· Cases of those completing treatment in the country (vaccinated and non-vaccinated).

If the above url is not working, you can use below link:

https://smart.gdrfad.gov.ae/Smart_OTCServicesPortal/ReturnPermitServiceForm.aspx

Track Your GDRFA Application:
To check GDRFA status online, click below link and choose special request option, we recommend you to use desktop/PC/Laptop to check your GDRFA approval status.
https://smart.gdrfad.gov.ae/Public_Th/StatusInquiry_New.aspx

The guide about GDRFA return permit for resident outside UAE is end here, if you are facing issue while submitting your application, leave comments to get instant answer or join our group for your GDRFA approval queries.