Many people have been left stranded in foreign countries due to the travel restrictions imposed in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The same goes for many UAE residents as entry to the country was suspended on March 19.
Per What’s On, all UAE residents who are stuck abroad have been instructed to fill out an updated Twajudi form, according to reported guidance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
According to the publication, it seems the change has been reported by residents outside of the UAE via Facebook. In order to complete an updated form residents need to provide their Emirates ID numbers, residency numbers and a copy of their residency visa.
For those who have already filled out a Twajudi form, it’s been claimed a new one must be filled out. In the updated version of the form, residents are required to enter desired flight details in order to travel back to the country.
UAE resident Hannah O’Reilly was recently in a similar position to many other expats stranded abroad. The pregnant American woman feared she would have to give brith on her parents’ couch in New York after flights back to the UAE were cancelled. Luckily her plight was heard by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and she was repatriated back to the UAE on an embassy plane also bringing back Emirati citizens.
Since then she has set up an Instagram to share her experiences, and on Monday, April 13 she updated her account with a text message received from the Ministry.
“To ensure your safe return home, we have enhanced our service in cooperation with the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship,” it read. “We kindly request updating your details using the following link.”
This hints at what is set to happen for the many residents stranded abroad.
In order to contact the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) phone them on +971 (050) 106 6099, or contact them via email, operation@ica.gov.ae. There is also two hotlines that have been set up to assist those stranded abroad: +971 (02) 496 5228 and +971 (09) 208 3344.
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Images: Instagram
