Returning residents flying into Dubai still need to get approval from the General Directorate of Residential and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) to make their journey back.
Last week it was announced that the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) have approved that residents overseas can return to the UAE without the need to apply for an entry permit and wait for approval. Instead all residents are pre-approved, however have been advised to update their private data, including ID number, passport number and nationality online at the ICA website.
However according to information on Emirates website, if you have a Dubai residence visa and are flying back to Dubai, passengers must have approval from the GDRFA.
Passengers can apply for the permit online with Emirates or through the Emirates call centre when they book their flight, and would need to gve their Resident File Number which is on the visa next to 'File". Once the application is approved, an email will be sent with the GDRFA reference number.? .