Purdey

Hi,

I have a Residence Visa issued by JAFZA and expiring late January 2018.
For various reasons, I have been out of the country since Nov 20 last year. The Visa states 'Residence Permit becomes invalid if bearer resides out of the UAE for more than 6 months'. Anyone know whether this means 6 calendar months ie I am OK to return before May 20?
I am coming back, I just want to know when I need to arrive latest to keep my visa in good order.
Tried calling UAE Embassy in UK and relevant department in Dubai but no response!

Appreciate your advice.

Brains1983

I'd work with 6 calendar months or 180 days, whichever is the shortest. I can't be arsed working out which is shorter, I would assume the 180 days. I would also suggest that you come in slightly before this to be sure!

IKnowNothing

Could be 6 islamic months, then it's 168 days.

Irishbeekeeper

Nope
180 days of the solar year

Meow

Strictly speaking it is 180 days. Note the visa become invalid but is not cancelled and if you come back any later you will get pulled on arrival.

Purdey

Many thanks for the responses.
So, I'm working on 180 days - right? Got to say that would have been my last option after 6 calendar months and 24x7 days but...
Just out of interest, Meow, what does 'pulled on arrival' actually mean not that I'm intending to find out!

carcajou

Other posters are correct, it does become invalid, and it is solar months.

It's a big issue for Arab expatriates, as there are families who have worked in the UAE for 20, 25 years, and then little Ahmed grows up and goes off to Cairo or Amman (or, increasingly, leaves the ME for Kuala Lumpur) for university, but needs to be flown back to the UAE every 6 months to keep the visa. They usually don't make Westerner salaries so it takes a big bite out of the family budget.

Meow

The immigration chaps will take you to one side for a chat whilst they decide that to do. Visas don't actually expire but need to be cancelled officially so they'd want to get that done before letting you in. Not a major issue really but it does freak out a few people.

Purdey

Thanks, Meow.

carcajou

If OP is on a British passport, yes.

Purdey

Yes, UK passport

Meow

It's 180 days. Nothing to do with 'solar months'.

Millhouse

Solar or Luna days?

carcajou

The response was in reply to whether it was Islamic years or solar years, see earlier posts. 180 days/6 months, whatever, while I defer to Meow OP should come back to the UAE well before that deadline to give himself/herself cushion in case of flight delays etc and not count on splitting hairs between the stamp saying "months" and the actual rule being 180 days.

Meow

For some every day is a loony day...