Banks also told to consider entry permits issued to foreigners.

All the visas, Emirates IDs and entry permits of the UAE residents expired after March 1, 2020 are valid for bank transactions.

The UAE Central Bank has instructed all the banks in the country to consider expats' visas and Emirates ID expired between March 1 and December 31, 2020 valid for bank transactions in line with the Cabinet Decision announced earlier this month.

According to a notification issued by the regulator to all banks and financial institutions, this decision will cover all residents who are either inside or outside the country.

In addition, it instructed that the banks should consider entry permits or permits issued to expatriates in the UAE from March 1 till December 31, 2020 also valid.

This decision has been taken provide relief to the expats in the wake of outbreak of coronavirus in the country, resulting in lockdown and restriction on the movement of people in order to contain the virus

On April 14, Brigadier Khamis Al Kaabi, spokesperson of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, said all visas and entry permits expired after March 1 shall remain valid until the end of December, 2020. This includes residents who are either inside or outside the country.

While the entry permits that are valid include tourism, visit, transit and work visas.

waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com