The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has announced a 30-minute Return Document service for those who lose, damage, or have an expired passport while abroad. Notably, you can complete the process in just three steps. In addition, the document will be issued via email in only 30 minutes.
According to the MoFA, the service is 24/7 available through their official website or the UAE MoFA smart app on Android and iOS platforms. However, the ministry has advised travellers to keep copies of their identification documents to ensure a smooth process in case of emergencies.
How to Apply for the Return Document Service
You can use the service in case of four emergencies. We have listed those cases below:
- Loss of a regular passport
- Expiration of a regular passport
- Damage to a regular passport
- Issuance for newborns
There are a few documents that you need for this service. So, we have listed those documents below:
- Lost passport: Copy of the passport, police report, and a personal photo with a white background.
- Damaged passport: Written statement explaining the damage with a photo.
- Newborns: Birth certificate and marriage certificate (attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country of residence and the UAE mission abroad) with copies of both parents’ passports.
Essential Travel Guidelines for UAE Citizens
The ministry also recommended following its travel safety recommendations before going abroad. The following is the list of those suggestions:
- You should register yourself in the ‘Twajudi’ service to allow the MoFA and UAE missions to contact you during emergencies.
- It would be best to review the latest security updates for your destination.
- You have to carry your original and copies of your passport, Emirates ID, visas, and health insurance.
- It would be best to verify visa validity to avoid legal issues.
- You should have valid health insurance that covers international emergencies.
- You should avoid conflict zones or unstable regions.
- Beware of fraud and scams by verifying identities.
- Save emergency contacts for the UAE embassies and the MoFA’s hotline.
Emergency Support & Contact Details
You can report any emergency via the dedicated hotline of the MoFA: 0097180024. Moreover, this service operates around the clock. In addition, a specialized team from the Citizens Affairs Department, in coordination with UAE embassies and consulates, handles each case.
We recommend that you visit www.mofa.gov.ae or download the UAE MoFA app for more information related to the return document service.
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