In a move designed to give long-term UAE residents extra peace of mind when travelling, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that Golden-Visa holders who lose or damage their passports overseas can now obtain a digital Return Document in as little as half an hour. The announcement, issued on Sunday as part of MoFA’s wider winter-travel advisory, underscores the government’s pledge to provide ‘white-glove’ support to the 160,000 professionals, investors and specialised talent who hold the coveted 10-year residency permit.
Under the new protocol, a Golden-Visa holder who misplaces a passport can log into MoFA’s smart-services portal, upload a police report (or a self-declaration if local authorities do not provide one) and complete biometric verification through the UAE Pass app. Once approved—officials say median processing time is 27 minutes—the traveller receives a QR-coded Return Document recognised by UAE airlines, immigration counters and local police. Physical pickup at the nearest UAE mission remains available but is no longer required in most cases.
![Golden-Visa holders abroad can secure a replacement passport in 30 minutes, MoFA says]()
The rapid-issue service is paired with round-the-clock consular assistance. A dedicated hotline (+971 2 493 1133) staffed by multilingual officers can liaise with foreign airport authorities, help re-route tickets and arrange emergency cash transfers through MOFA’s partnership with two global remittance networks. According to senior diplomat Reem Al-Falistaki, the ministry handled 312 lost-passport incidents involving Golden-Visa holders last winter; 78 per cent were resolved within one hour.
Mobility practitioners welcome the change. “Senior executives on assignment worry about document loss more than flight delays,” says Umar Khan, regional head of global mobility at a Fortune 500 energy firm. “A guaranteed 30-minute turnaround removes a major stressor and avoids extended project downtime.” Insurers also expect claims volumes to drop, potentially shaving premiums for companies that send staff abroad frequently.
The update cements the Golden Visa’s status as one of the world’s most privilege-rich residency programmes, on par with Singapore’s and surpassing Canada’s in post-issuance consular perks. Analysts predict the enhancement will appeal to tech founders and high-net-worth entrepreneurs who value seamless international mobility as much as tax planning.
Under the new protocol, a Golden-Visa holder who misplaces a passport can log into MoFA’s smart-services portal, upload a police report (or a self-declaration if local authorities do not provide one) and complete biometric verification through the UAE Pass app. Once approved—officials say median processing time is 27 minutes—the traveller receives a QR-coded Return Document recognised by UAE airlines, immigration counters and local police. Physical pickup at the nearest UAE mission remains available but is no longer required in most cases.
The rapid-issue service is paired with round-the-clock consular assistance. A dedicated hotline (+971 2 493 1133) staffed by multilingual officers can liaise with foreign airport authorities, help re-route tickets and arrange emergency cash transfers through MOFA’s partnership with two global remittance networks. According to senior diplomat Reem Al-Falistaki, the ministry handled 312 lost-passport incidents involving Golden-Visa holders last winter; 78 per cent were resolved within one hour.
Mobility practitioners welcome the change. “Senior executives on assignment worry about document loss more than flight delays,” says Umar Khan, regional head of global mobility at a Fortune 500 energy firm. “A guaranteed 30-minute turnaround removes a major stressor and avoids extended project downtime.” Insurers also expect claims volumes to drop, potentially shaving premiums for companies that send staff abroad frequently.
The update cements the Golden Visa’s status as one of the world’s most privilege-rich residency programmes, on par with Singapore’s and surpassing Canada’s in post-issuance consular perks. Analysts predict the enhancement will appeal to tech founders and high-net-worth entrepreneurs who value seamless international mobility as much as tax planning.
