The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has announced that employment visas can now be issued for vital government and semi-government sectors, including entry permits for domestic workers, in the UAE.
The decision was made in coordination with the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) after taking into account the precautionary measures adopted by the travel industry to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Domestic workers, holding valid visas, will be allowed entry into the country, irrespective of their nationality. This also applies to workers with valid visas from the government and semi-government sectors, and from vital establishments.
Employers are required to receive the arrivals and ensure they are quarantined for 14 days in coordination with relevant authorities. Responsible parties will also need to submit an application on the authority’s website.
The authority also highlighted the importance of adhering to pre-entry examination measures in order to facilitate entry of workers to the UAE.
UAE had halted the issuance of new work permits since March following the outbreak of the coronavirus.