- Is Creative Zone open?
Yes, the team is fully operational, furthermore our offices both on the 19th floor (Suite 1901) and Creative Zone Business Hub on the 17th floor (Suite 1702) continue to undergo regular professional sanitation and our staff are observing all best practices of physical distancing and use of face masks.
We currently have a reduced team in place at our offices with the rest working from home following the directives issued by Dubai DED, all of whom are available over the phone, email, and video conference.
Our operating hours will be from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday and from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturdays.
All meetings and collection and drop off of documents will take place from Creative Zone Business Hub 17th Floor Reception (Suite 1702) with our 19th Floor Reception (Suite 1901) remaining closed.
Furthermore if you are planning to visit our offices you will be required to observe the government policies of physical distancing and use of face masks.
As on May 27, 2020 | 11:30 AM
- Given the current situation, I would prefer to stay at home. What are my available options to discuss any matter, make a payment or collect or drop off documents and applications?
We fully understand that with the current situation, you would rather stay home and connect with us remotely and we are actively discouraging clients from visiting us in person.
In this regard:
- All discussions and queries can be addressed over the phone, email or video conference
- All documents and applications can be submitted by email or where applicable collected from and delivered to your home in Dubai by one of our drivers. (Please contact your account manager from our client relations team to schedule the same)
- All payments can be submitted either via bank transfer or via a credit card online payment link. In the event you are looking to pay by cash, cheque or via your credit card Easy Payment Plan (EPP), we will send a driver to your house to collect the cash, cheques and bring our credit card machine. (Please contact your account manager from our client relations team to schedule the same)
As on May 14, 2020 | 11:30 AM
- Am I still able to submit applications related to visas and trade licenses?
Yes you can, all Government Departments throughout the UAE have reopened.
As on June 17, 2020 | 11:30 AM
- Given the current economic environment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, I would like some of my employees to take their annual leave, am I allowed to ask them to do that? Am I also allowed to furlough an employee and request them to take unpaid leave?
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) recently passed a resolution in response to private sector businesses affected by COVID-19. The resolution which came into effect on March 26th 2020, addresses the options available to restructure and regulate the relationship between private sector employers and employees, and outlines the guidance and process to implement the following:
- Granting employees paid leave
- Temporarily reducing salaries
- Permanently reducing salaries
- Making an employee redundant
Please see below links which elaborate further on the above
Luke Tapp has given many talks and workshops over the years to Creative Zone clients, and recently participated in a Webinar with our CEO, Lorenzo Jooris, discussing the aforementioned MOHRE resolution – see below link
If any of our clients would like an introduction to Luke Tapp to discuss the resolution and seek his advice on the measures you would like to implement for your business, please contact your account manager from our client relations team to arrange the same.
As on May 14, 2020 | 11:30 AM
- With the current travel restrictions, what should I do if I were due to travel to the UAE:
- to maintain my residency visa, and have now missed the 180 days timeline
- to renew my residency visa which is now expired
- am a UAE resident with a valid residency visa but failed to return to the UAE before the 19th March 2020 deadline
Fortunately your residency visa will remain valid, and you now have till December 31st 2020 to return to the UAE
OR
If your residency visa was due to expire anytime after March 1st 2020, it is now automatically renewed till December 31st 2020. However, should you be traveling abroad prior to December 31st 2020, you are advised to renew your visa beforehand as you may not be allowed to board your return flight due to the residency visa showing an expired date.
OR
Inbound flights to the UAE have now resumed, however only from certain cities and with a limited schedule – see below links for further details:
Emirates Airlines: https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/help/travel-updates/#3524
Etihad Airways: https://www.etihad.com/en-ae/travel-updates/covid-19
Flydubai: https://www.flydubai.com/en/contact/operational-updates/repatriation-flights
Air Arabia: https://www.airarabia.com/en/travel-updates#6334
Prior to making your flight reservation, you will need to register your details on the below UAE Government website, after which you will be emailed a reference number that will be required to secure your reservation
Furthermore on your return to the UAE, you will be subject to 14 days of mandatory quarantine – see below link for further details.
Please contact your account manager from our client relations department if you are having any issues registering your details.
As on June 17, 2020 | 11:30 AM
- If I’m currently in the UAE either on a tourist visa or a residency visa am I able to return to my home country?
Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Flydubai and Air Arabia have now resumed operations for repatriation flights to many cities.
See below links for requirements and further details:
Emirates Airlines: https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/help/travel-updates/#3524
Etihad Airways: https://www.etihad.com/en-ae/travel-updates/covid-19
Flydubai: https://www.flydubai.com/en/contact/operational-updates/repatriation-flights
Air Arabia: https://www.airarabia.com/en/travel-updates#6334
As on May 14, 2020 | 11:30 AM
- What should I do if I am currently in the UAE:
- on a tourist visa that is due to expire and cannot be extended any further and cannot exit the UAE and/or enter my home country due to travel restrictions OR
- on a canceled residency visa with the standard 30 day grace period due to expire and cannot exit the UAE and/or enter my home country due to travel restrictions OR
- on an expired residency visa with the standard 30 day grace period due to expire and cannot renew the same due to limited functions at government departments OR
- my Emirates ID card has expired
Currently if you fall into any of the above categories all visas, grace periods and expiry dates have been extended till December 31st 2020, and all fines have been waived. However if any of the above expired before March 1st 2020, then the waiver of fines and grace period will only be extended until August 18th 2020.
However, please note if you are on a canceled residency visa and are looking to apply for a new in country entry/employment visa, the grace period and waiver of fines doesn’t currently extend till December 31st 2020, it will depend on your profession and ability to get rehired in this climate, as well as the availability of travel to your home country. Please contact your account manager from our client relations department for more details on the same.
As on May 14, 2020 | 11:30 AM
