Immigrants who violate their residence visa in the country will be barred when the amnesty scheme is to begin on September 1. They will be able to legalize their status and fly home without paying their fines – but will on-board restraints await them? Are they going to be allowed back to the UAE?
In the next few weeks, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) is expected to elaborate the procedures and processes together with the prerequisites permissible for the two-month grace period for overstayers.
Illegal arrivals have been advised by immigration advisors and social workers to seize the amnesty —conveying that once again they will not be banned.
“One will not face a ban and can come back to the UAE whenever they want as long as they have legalized their visa,” immigration advisor Ali Saeed Al Kaabi said to media.
“The program launched by the UAE authorities will enable violators to pay for the violation instead of the fine and guarantee that they will again be given a chance to enter the country.” ”
Simplifying return procedures
He said that any amnesty-seeker who wants to come back to the country should ensure they have a residency visa or an offer letter from a firm based in UAE when they travel.
“When an overstayer is able to sort out his/her visa status, it is wise to get the residency permit before leaving the country… this will ease his/her returns,” he said.
The president of the Indian Association Sharjah Nissar Thalangara received more details of the amnesty scheme after the meeting with Dr Omar al Owais and Maj-Gen Azeem Suwiedi of ICP.
Thalangara insisted that the officials had told him that none of the violators of the residence visa would be banned and could visit the UAE at any time. He said overstayers were barred for a certain period during the last amnesty by the UAE Government.
No tents
The social worker also emphasized that this time there will be no specific tents or events at offices of migration.
“All concerns will be dealt with at certified typing centers across the UAE thus making the process simpler and more convenient than the previous amnesty,” said Thalangara.
He said overstayers can go to approved typing centers from September 1 to pick up and submit their applications.
Awareness campaigns
To avoid this, the Indian Association of Sharjah is conducting awareness creation on the amnesty in the community.
“In the last amnesty, many of the overstayers did not know of the exercise and found themselves stranded in the country for years, thus sensitization will go a long way in ensuring that the affected persons make the best out of this campaign, ” remarked Thalangara.
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The association will also have a counter at their office where people can be advised how they can clear their illegitimate stay status. For this amnesty, the help desk will be operating from 9 am to 6 pm, and for any other period that may be deemed necessary.