The two-month UAE visa amnesty that is set to begin on Sunday September 1st is an opportunity for individuals who are in the UAE illegally to either legalise their status or leave without being drastic fines.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) stated on Wednesday that there would be no overstay fine or exit fee to be paid out. Those who would prefer to travel elsewhere will never be barred from entering the country and they can always come back to the UAE with the right visa.
This amnesty program is general and cuts across all types of visas, be it the tourist visa or the expiring residency visa. The amnesty also applies to those who never had identification documents at birth, and they can also correct their status.
Any person who fails to report to his or her sponsor or employer as expected can also apply. However, the illegal aliens who have entered the country are not entitled to use the amnesty.
The UAE maintained that the amnesty program would help enhance ‘compliance with the law, religious and cultural diversity, empathy and social integration’.
It offers visa and residency violators a chance to right their wrongs using allowing and achievable processes. It also helps them to get their rights and exit safely or to live and work in the country in compliance with the law.
Here are more specifics and all you need to know about the UAE visa amnesty program:
How long is the amnesty program?
The amnesty program will run for two months, from September 1 until October 30, 2024.
Who can apply for amnesty?
- Any visa (including tourist and visit) or residency violators
- Those with expired UAE residency visa
- Family members of the sponsor with an expired visa
- Those who ran away or fled from their sponsors
- Any foreigner born in the UAE whose guardian or parent has not registered his/ her residency in four months from the date of birth
Will those who entered the UAE illegally be given amnesty?
No. The ICP said the pertinent UAE laws will be applied to them.
Who else can not apply for amnesty?
Residency and visa perpetrators after September 1, 2024, are not permitted to apply for amnesty. Those with deportation cases in the UAE or any GCC country cannot apply for amnesty, as will those who will get an absconding case after September 1.
Will there be an entry ban for those who avail themselves of amnesty?
None. Any violator is permitted to leave the UAE after settling their status without any administrative limitations inhibiting their return to the country, meaning there will be no ban stamp on the passport. They can re-enter the UAE on valid visas.
Will the applicant have to pay overstaying fines before leaving the country or modifying their illegal status?
No. There will be no penalty for canceling residency and tourist visas. There will also be no exit pass or departure fees for those who want to depart the UAE legally. There is also no fine for those who want to alter their residency status. In total, 5 fees and fines will be relinquished.
What are the other fine exemptions?
There is no administrative fine ensuing from staying in the country illegally. There are also no fines associated with expired UAE national ID or fines related to not giving a work contract or renewing of work contract.
Where to apply for the amnesty?
Each emirate has different centers.
In Dubai, all Amer centers will provide amnesty services, as well as General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai center in Al Awir.
In Abu Dhabi, ICP centers are positioned in Al Dhafra, Suwaihan, Al Maqa and Al Shahama.
Service centers will have extended hours from 7am to 10pm, where biometric fingerprinting will be recorded. Amnesty applications can also be made at ICP centers throughout the rest of the UAE.
Service applications are also available online 24/7. Applicants can submit through ICP electronic and smart channels and authorized typing centers without the need to visit service centers, except when asked to appear for biometric fingerprinting.
How is fingerprinting done?
If applicants wish to depart the UAE and biometric fingerprinting is already on record, they can submit a departure permit application, and the exit permit will be supplied immediately.
If there is no biometric fingerprinting on record, they will be directed to visit selected fingerprinting centers (only for those aged 15 and above), and an exit permit will be issued after completing fingerprinting procedures.
ICP centers for biometric fingerprinting in Abu Dhabi are located in Al Dhafra, Suwaihan, Al Mqam, and Al Shahama) In Dubai, this can be done at the GDRFA center in Al Awir; while those with visas issued in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah must come to their respective service centers.
How long is the validity of the exit permit? Can it be extended?
An exit pass or permit is valid only for 14 days after release. All previous fines and restrictions will be re-imposed automatically if departure is not done within the 14-day grace period.
The visa trespasser will be granted the chance to leave the country after settling their status without any administrative restrictions preventing their return, meaning there will be no ban stamp on their passport and they can re-enter the UAE on valid visas.
What if you lost your passport; how can you apply for amnesty?
In Abu Dhabi, apply the ICP smart system to obtain a travel document. Other emirates may entail submission of an affidavit of loss to the general police command of the subsequent emirate before a travel document is issued. The travel document issued by embassies and consulates can also be used by those who want to leave the country, provided all information matches the data in visa details.
How can overstaying violators with traffic violations and expired vehicles avail themselves of the visa amnesty and leave the country?
They must first pay their fines for traffic violations and surrender/clear their vehicles for fines before leaving the country.
What will happen if the head of the family has an expired visa?
Family members are permitted to leave the country or adjust their status. If the head of the family (father) wishes to leave with his family, the visa of other family members under him will be canceled and they will be allowed to leave.
However, if the children wish to modify their status, they will be allowed to amend their status with the mother if she is working or corresponding to the conditions of the work visa.
If the head of the family amends his visa, the residency of other family members will also be amended.
What services will be provided by ICP during the amnesty program?
The ICP will be in charge of:
- Issuing departure permits
- Renewing residence visa
- Issuing residence visa for a newly born foreigner in the country
- Issuing new visa (for work or residence)
- Adjusting status on a valid visa
- Issuing residence permits for work and residence visa violators
What are the services of the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratization (MoHRE)?
- Issuing work permits
- Renewing work permits
- Cancelling work permits
- Registering work stoppage complaints
Note that in the event there are limitations on a certain company, the ICP will proceed with amending the status of those who overstayed. In the event residency violators have disputes in amending their status with their employers, MoHRE will align to facilitate the amendment of their status.