No Visa Stamping on passports :
The UAE no longer requires visa stamps on passports for residents, therefore expats going home are encouraged to bring their new Emirates IDs to prevent delays at airports.
The newest form of the card covers all the relevant details that are to be printed on the visa stamp, and immigration counters at various airports will be able to read the data on the ID.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) stated that residents of the UAE can now submit a single unified application to get their residency visa and Emirates ID to ease the application process.
According to the latest update, Emirates ID would take the role of the visa stamp on residents’ passports, another important amendment to the visa system of UAE.
UAE New VISA Rules 2022
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has reported that citizens of the UAE can now submit a single unified application to obtain both their Emirates ID and residency visa to ease the application process and to shorten the application time. ICP stated that the move would reduce efforts and time to get residency documents by “30 to 40 per cent”.
A circular issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security in April made modifications and made new UAE rules which detailed that Emirates IDs now serve as proof of residency. The country has instead started issuing Emirates ID cards to residents settled in the UAE.
However, based on the experience of some expats who recently travelled, failure to bring the actual Emirates ID could result in issues at airports.