Legal residents can take advantage of the UAE visa amnesty program

On Sunday, the amnesty program kicked off in all immigration centers across the country and became locales, promising hundreds of illegal residents and tourists a chance to start anew. Under the two-month plan, expatriate professionals were offered jobs on one day, tens of thousands in fines were waived, and households were visited here.

Otherwise, living for years without papers, they got their IDs. Expats who had overstayed their residency or visit cards found the clock reset on September 1, 2024-visit here.

For the next two months, until October 30, those who have broken the law can either regularize their status or leave without facing bans, fines, or exit fees. Khaleej Times reporters went around the UAE to report what happened on Day 1 of the amnesty program.

Busy Sunday in a long time:

With Day 1 of the visa amnesty program moving forward, more people flocked to the center at Dubai Airport. This is the busiest Sunday we’ve seen in a while.

A center representative told Khaleej Times, “Many people refrain from coming to the area because they feel you need a pass. However, this is not true.”

He also added: Another immigration official visited us to tackle issues. From tomorrow, everything will be bananas. I may have employees from other centers coming here to help with the volume.

Do You Want to Remain and Work?

The administration concedes that some overstays are not intentional. Cabinet Resolution No. 33 of 2024, which says the change is to “welcome and motivate poor employees,” supports this view by allowing those in genuine need to get assistance while providing legal cover.

For an amnesty on Grace’s declaration that it might be illegal under the current laws when asked if he would ban companies from forcing their Western staff into penury.

Cropped image of stressed man and woman using a laptop, counting money at the table — concept issues with cash or visa.

A last chance for illegal residents:

If you want to make things right, whether your aim is simply regularization or to pay off debts — it all happens in this amnesty program.

Illegally in the Country?

If you’re an overstayed (illegal) resident of the UAE with an expired visa, applying for the amnesty program is straightforward.

Visit an amnesty program center, arrange a travel ticket to your home country, and obtain an exit permit. You must also present an Emergency Certificate (EC) or your original passport.

You have ten days from the date the exit permit was issued to leave UAE. The good news? Your passport won’t have “NO ENTRY” inked, so you can return whenever!

YOU INFRINGED EMIRATES? This is your exit strategy:

Anyone in the country without valid papers can turn themselves in to authorities at any point and hand over a return ticket.

However, your passport will be stamped with a “NO ENTRY,” and you will not be allowed to return to the UAE within two years. You can then request to return if you fulfill all legal conditions.

Hope for Ugandan ex-pats:

Repatriates Victoria, who is from Uganda, want to participate in the ongoing amnesty program. Both have overstayed their visas, and an absconding notice has been issued against them.

“Then I ran into health problems and lost my job; that is why I am wanted. I was overstaying for more than a year. So, this amnesty program is excellent luck. It will help me return home and be united with my family.

Hiring amnesty program seeking skilled laborers:

Contracting owners Sabu Edward, Albin Alfred, and Augustine Michael have volunteered to employ experienced workers who are AMNESTEES. They were seen at the center of Dubai Airport Authority.

“We have been in touch with several CSC centers to recruit skilled laborers,” Sabu told Khaleej Times. Many of them accept CVs from such workers upon our request.” This amnesty period will allow people wishing to stay in the country with an official offer letter to do so.

PROs helping those who arrived say:

United PRO association members and public relations officers were present at the center at the Airport to help people arriving verify the amnesty program.

“For many people, it is tense to come here and undergo the procedure. “Things have been prolonged because it is the first day, but it is expected to become even busier tomorrow.”

The Consulate General of India is giving Indians residing in Dubai and the Northern Emirates eased access to the program with the following moves:

• Applicants wishing to return to India can apply for an Emergency Certificate, and those willing to renew their residency status may apply for a short-validity passport.
• Eligible applicants may request an EC at the consulate as a walk-in at no expense. Facilitation desks will be operational at the Consulate General of India and Immigration Centre in Dubai.
• To serve the public from September 2, 2018, from 08:00 to 18:00 hrs. Applicants can collect the ECs from the Consulate General of India on the following day after 14:00 hrs of applying for the same. Applicants may enter any BLS centers across Dubai and Northern Emirates to apply for short-validity passports.
• A line of people wanting to take advantage of the amnesty program has been queuing outside Dubai Airport Centre. At UAE Exchange, Filipino expat Jen surfaced from Ajman in a taxi to get her status sorted out.

Phoebe, an Australian native with no background in primary education, said, “I am hoping to change my status so that I can work here.”

Have you lost your passport?

Other country officials assist with stranded ex-pats who need an to leave the UAE. Unlawful residents without passports “must gather all their paperwork and go to the consulate to get an.

Returning home soon:

Filipina domestic helper Joy bolted her employer in July, claiming she was constantly sexually assaulted. The 41-year-old added that she took some essentials during her escape but forgot to take them along with her passport.

Her employer had filed an absconding case against her, and she was taking shelter at a friend’s house in Abu Dhabi. Upon hearing news of the UAE’s visa amnesty, she immediately applied to return home to the Philippines.

No fines for violators:

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security said it would not impose fines on visa violators during this grace period.

The amnesty program extends to all categories, from people with expired residence permits and visas to infants not registered for hometown IDs within four months of birth whose guardians did not hold valid residency.

It also includes workers identified in Manpower reports as having stopped work after the deadline they are allowed before being reported or those flagged as absent again if already reported on those grounds earlier this year.

So, my baby will finally have a name:

Thanks to the UAE’s amnesty initiative, the baby of Filipina expat Ruth, 46, will finally get his identity. Then, in July 2023, she will have a home birth. She was also afraid to apply for her baby’s birth certificate and passport since she has been here illegally.

Ruth, on the other hand, has a legitimate passport. As of the COVID-19 peak, her visa was terminated four years ago when she was employed as a cleaner. However, she was subsequently hired by a new company.

She said, “Because of the UAE amnesty program, my baby and I can now regularize our stay here. Philippine Embassy officials in Abu Dhabi helped her on Sunday and provided information on the following actions.

She must first display the birth to the Abu Dhabi Government Department of Health and apply for late registration to the birth certificate, which will be certified by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Because there are a considerable number of acceptable health care insurance waivers, according to the Federal Authority’s September 1 two-month extension for violators of entry and residence regulations, the Abu Dhabi Government Health Department has waived health insurance fines.

Dubai: The General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai Paper practically processed the papers of a little more than 100 or so of those living illegally in just half an hour after the visa amnesty kicked off. More than 2,000 people are estimated to use the amnesty daily at its eight six sites in Dubai.

A steady stream of ex-pats:

The amnesty scheme, which runs until October 30, August, led to a “steady stream of long-time expat residents across the Emirates” on Sunday applying.

The General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs said it would allow foreigners who violated the country’s residence system to submit their applications through The Federal Authority for Identity, Nationality, Customs and Port Security.

The UAE is committed to respecting the rule of law in a manner that honors its values ​​of tolerance and mercy within society.

Verifying papers:

Officials are going through the papers during the second round of the process. Once their documents are further processed and if they qualify, unanswered overstayers will receive any center in Dubai.

Amnesty eligibility:

The plan includes all tourist and expired residency visas. Even those born without documents may be able to fix their status.

You can even add those who ran away from their supporters. However, illegal entrants in the country cannot claim amnesty.

Conclusion:

UAE visa amnesty program — A Chance for residents to correct their Visa status without penalties or legal action from Authorities. These services are helpful in the following cases — for dealing with overstay-related issues, renewing visas, etc., or changing visa type if you have Bali 60-day tourist (Visa B211 A), which only legal residents can use these programs.

It is intended to help people who find it hard to preserve their legitimate residency, thus allowing them to live and work in the UAE without problems. This measure helps with processing residency issues and is also very obedient to immigration laws.