Living In UAE

Six months outside the UAE - these are residence visas that remain valid

Do UAE expats studying abroad qualify for the exemption?

Published: July 27, 2022 19:00 Zainab Husain, Features Writer

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If you are a UAE resident studying abroad or planning to stay outside the UAE for an extended period, you may be wondering about the status of your UAE residence visa. — Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News archive

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If you hold a UAE residence visa and continuously stay outside the UAE for more than six months, the visa is normally automatically nullified. — Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/ Gulf News

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If your UAE residence visa has been cancelled for this reason, you will need to apply for a new entry permit to re-enter the UAE. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. — Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/ Gulf News

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On April 18, the UAE government announced major updates to its Golden Visa residency scheme. — Image Credit: Supplied

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According to the update, Golden Visa holders have no restriction on the maximum duration of stay outside the UAE in order to keep the Golden Residency valid. — Image Credit: Supplied

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Along with Golden Visa holders, there are some other categories of residence visa holders that are also exempted from this rule. — Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/ Gulf News

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These include: A foreigner wife of an Emirati citizen who is on the sponsorship of her husband. — Source: u.ae Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

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Domestic helpers accompanying Emiratis for studies or medical treatment. — Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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Domestic helpers accompanying members of diplomatic and consular missions representing the UAE abroad and employees of such missions holding residence visas in the UAE. — Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

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Expatriate residents working for the public sector sent by their employers to attend a training or a specialist course, or those working in their employers’ offices abroad and their families who are holders of valid residence visas. — Image Credit: Supplied

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Expatriate students that are studying in universities or institutes abroad. This is as per the Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). — Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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If your visa was issued from a different Emirate, you would need to check with the GDRFA to see if applies to your Emirate of residence. — Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

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