Amid crisis, Dubai keeps borders running smoothly with minimal travel disruptions.
Dubai: Residents stranded abroad were permitted to return to the UAE even if their residency permits had expired, as authorities quickly eased procedures during the crisis, a top official confirmed.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai, stated that operations at all entry points continued at the highest level, with no major travel disruptions reported.
Speaking to CNBC Arabia, Lieutenant General Al Marri said staff remained on duty throughout the period, whether at service centres or at air, land, and sea ports.
“There is no doubt we are going through a crisis, but employees were at their posts, ensuring services continued smoothly,” he added.
While passenger numbers were lower than usual, Lieutenant General Al Marri emphasized that travel procedures were handled efficiently and without obstacles.
Calm and Cooperation
He also highlighted the calm and cooperative behaviour of travellers as one of the most notable aspects of the period.
“The level of reassurance and discipline shown by passengers, whether arriving or departing, was truly heartening and played a major role in facilitating procedures,” he said.
Authorities allowed some residents to re-enter the country despite expired visas, demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to treating residents with the same care and attention as citizens.
At the same time, individuals in violation of residency laws were granted leniency, allowing them to leave the country without complications.
Flexible Solutions
Lieutenant General Al Marri explained that flexible arrangements were introduced for specific cases, including facilitating urgent departures via land. Some passengers were transported through land borders to the Al Wajajah crossing in Oman to ease their onward travel under the circumstances.
Seamless Coordination
He also praised the strong coordination between various entities—including Dubai Police, Civil Aviation, Dubai Airports, and airlines—describing it as a model of teamwork during crises.
Dubai airports, he added, maintained high operational efficiency despite the challenges.
“We did not face any significant issues in handling travellers. On the contrary, there was a high level of understanding, with many passengers showing flexibility even when flight schedules changed,” Lieutenant General Al Marri said.
People-First Approach
He emphasised that clear directives were issued to prioritise people above all else—whether citizens, residents, or visitors—both inside and outside the UAE.
He also commended the efforts of all teams working within the airport system, noting that messages of appreciation from travellers reflected the exceptional level of service delivered during the period.
