UAE Visa Amnesty Begins Thousands Expected to Legalize Their Stay

Starting this Sunday, a two-month visa amnesty initiative has been launched in the UAE, offering a lifeline to individuals with expired residency and visit visas. The program, which will run until October, aims to help people legalize their stay or exit the country without facing fines.

On the first day of the amnesty, a significant number of people began queuing at various centers nationwide. The amnesty has generated considerable interest as it waives penalties for those who have overstayed their visas. Additionally, families who have not secured visas for children born in the UAE are also eligible for this amnesty, allowing them to apply for the necessary legal documentation.

Among the first beneficiaries was Christopher Kyeyunemr, a 29-year-old from Uganda. Kyeyunemr, who had been living illegally in Dubai for the past two years, was eager to make use of the amnesty. Arriving in Dubai in November 2020, he initially worked as a cleaner and later as a security guard. His work permit was canceled by his previous employer, and despite his efforts to secure a new visa, he was unsuccessful. Upon learning about the amnesty, Kyeyunemr promptly booked a flight home and was first in line at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) center in Al Awir. For residents whose fingerprints are already in the system, obtaining an exit pass is a quick process. Kyeyunemr secured his exit pass and proceeded to Dubai Airport for his 10:30 a.m. flight.

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The GDRFA center in Al Awir, equipped with two tents for separating men and women, is capable of accommodating over 2,000 people. It has 26 counters designated for fingerprinting. An official at the center reported that within the first 30 minutes of the amnesty, they had already waived fines for 100 individuals. Typically, the penalty for overstaying a visa is Dh50 ($13.6) per day, which can accumulate to substantial amounts.

Throughout the Emirates, specified government offices opened their doors on Sunday to assist individuals with changing their visa status or processing exit permits. The amnesty also extends to those who have absconded from their sponsors but does not cover individuals who entered the country illegally.

In Abu Dhabi, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) centers in Al Dhafra, Sweihan, Al Maqam, and Al Shahamah, as well as authorized typing centers, are handling document processing. In Dubai, 86 Amer service centers across the emirate are available for assistance. Visitors who arrived on visit visas are advised to approach ICP centers in Abu Dhabi or the Al Awir center in Dubai for fingerprinting and processing.

Maj Gen Suhail Al Khaili, chief of the ICP, emphasized that this amnesty provides a valuable opportunity for visa violators to rectify their status in the country.

To manage the anticipated increase in demand, several embassies have announced extended hours on weekends during the amnesty period to assist with passport renewals. The Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi and its consulate in Dubai will remain open every Saturday. The Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi has advised applicants to visit BLS centers in Al Reem, Mussaffah, and Al Ain for travel document applications. An emergency certificate service is available at the Indian consular office in Abu Dhabi from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays, while passport services are offered at BLS centers during the same time frame.

The amnesty, which ends on October 21, may see an extension similar to the 2018 initiative, which was extended due to high demand and benefitted over 105,000 people

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