The UAE has quick systems in place for residents who have lost their passport in the Emirates. All they have to do is apply for a new passport via their country’s embassy in the UAE and have their residence visa on a new passport.
However, before applying for a new passport, UAE residents must first report the loss or theft of the passport to the nearest police station, according to the official UAE government website.
If a person has lost their passport whilst on an employer’s sponsorship, the passport holder must first submit a letter in Arabic about the lost passport. The requirements of the letter in such a scenario are as follows, according to the government website:
- The letter should be on the sponsoring employer’s letterhead.
- The letter must be submitted to the police department of the emirate where the residence visa was first issued.
- The sponsor must also provide a photocopy of its licence and establishment card.
In case a passport – with a residence visa issued under family sponsorship – has been lost, the passport holder must submit a signed letter from the sponsor along with the sponsor’s passport copy.
In case it is a minor who has lost his or her passport, the sponsoring parent or guardian must be present to endorse the police report.
Procedure for lost passport in Dubai
The process for lost passports in Dubai is linked with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and Dubai Courts.
On receiving the police report of the lost passport, the holder must then “get it stamped by the relevant UAE court, Public Prosecution and GDRFA in the emirate where the visa was issued,” the website reads.
On completion of these endorsements, the holder must then return the police report from the issuing police station, after which the holder will receive a formal ‘lost passport certificate’ in Arabic.
As per this certificate, an individual can only apply for a new passport via the person’s national embassy or consulate in the UAE. The embassy will have their own set of requirements.
Once the individual meets these requirements, a new passport will be issued.
Once the passport has been issued, the individual will then have to go back to GDRFA to stamp their residence visa. “Check with the relevant GDRFA about application and fees,” the website reads, adding that GDRFA will issue a residence visa with the same validity period as of the old visa if still valid, or it will issue a new one if the visa expired while you were inside the Emirates.
Procedure for lost passport out of UAE
If someone has lost their passport with a valid UAE residence visa, and are outside the UAE or your home country, the will have to check the requirements of your country’s embassy or consulate in the visiting country.
According to the information listed on the website of the UAE’s Embassy in London, those who hold a UAE residence visa and face the issue of lost/stolen passports, are required to apply for a new entry permit to be able to re-enter the Emirates, the UAE website reads.
“The requests for entry permits are received and processed by the consular section of the UAE embassy in the country where the passport is lost,” the website added.
These are the documents required for the re-issue of a UAE residence visa.
- A completed and signed application form
- A copy of the old passport
- A copy of the new passport
- A copy of the UAE resident visa
- A copy of the emirates id card
- 1 passport-sized photo
- A letter from the sponsor confirming your position and place of work
- Lost/stolen report.
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