Explainer: UAE amnesty begins, how to apply, who qualifies
UAE offers two-month grace period to rectify visa status without fine and ban from September 1
Abu Dhabi: Thousands of illegal expats are expected to benefit from the two-month amnesty programme launched by the UAE government on September 1. The amnesty allows illegal residents to regularise their visa status without facing any overstay fines, administrative fees or a ban.
People on all types of visa - residence or visit visa - who have overstayed their visa can avail of this amnesty, which will end on October 31.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and Director General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai have explained all you need to know about the amnesty, how to apply, who can apply and who is not allowed to apply.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security announces a waiver of financial penalties for violators of the Foreign Entry and Residence Law, providing them a grace period to regularize their status.
— Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security UAE (@UAEICP) September 1, 2024
__#identitycitizenshipcustomsandportsecurity pic.twitter.com/Zyry5Y2TYQ
Here is the full guide
Who can benefit from the amnesty?
- 1. Residency violators
- Those who have expired their residence permit or cancelled their residence permit but are still staying the UAE as illegal residence.
- 2. Visa violator
- Those who came to the UAE on visit/tourist visas but did not leave and have expired their visa.
- 3. Absconding cases
- Those who absconded from their companies or employees and are living illegally in the UAE.
- 4. Expat newborn
- Infants whose guardian has not confirmed their residence within four months from the date of birth.
Categories that do not benefit from the grace period:
- 1. Residence and visa violators after September 1, 2024.
- 2. Those on the list of work interruption report (absconding) after September 1, 2024.
- 3. Deportation cases – individuals deported from the country or the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
- 4-The amnesty does not include infiltrators who enter the UAE illegally. They must review their case with Department of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
Where to apply in Dubai
There are three ways through which people can apply for visa amnesty in Dubai this time,
GDRFA Awir Tent
The amnesty tent in Al Aweer will be open from 8am to 8pm, he said. It will mainly be the facility to capture the biometrics of those who are required to do it.
That means not all applicants need to visit the Al Aweer tent. It is a must to visit there only if the applicants are required to submit their biometrics or are referred to visit Al Aweer after submitting the applications in the Amer centres.
86 Amer centres in Dubai
Bin Suroor said other applicants can visit any of the Amer centres to submit the applications. There are 86 Amer centres across Dubai that are ready to receive applicants.
Use GDRFA app
However, people can submit their applications 24x7 through GDRFA’s website or app as well, the official highlighted. “Our services through our online channels are available 24x7.”
Grace period benefits
1. Exemptions from five types of fines.
Administrative fines resulting from staying in the country illegally.
Establishment card fines.
Identity card fines.
Violation of not providing the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) with an employment contract.
Violation of not providing MOHRE with an employment contract renewal.
2. Exemption from fees
Residence and visa cancellation fee.
Work interruption report filing fee.
Departure fees.
Residence and visa details fees.
Departure permit fees.
Not being banned from entering the country
The violator is allowed to leave the country after settling his or her status without including any administrative restrictions that prevent his or her return to the country, without a ban stamp.
How you can apply online
You will be able to apply for the amnesty through the website of the ICP – icp.gov.ae – and only need to visit a service centre once you receive a message for registering your biometric data.
When do I need to get fingerprinting/biometric done?
If you want to leave the country, there are two possible scenarios:
1. In case you have completed the biometric previously, a request for an exit permit is submitted, and then the permit is issued directly.
2. In case you have not gotten a biometric fingerprinting done previously, you will be directed to visit the specified fingerprinting centre (for those aged 15 years and above). The fingerprinting procedures will be completed and the exit permit will be issued.
Approved biometric/fingerprinting centres
• For visas issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Abu Dhabi: All service centres that have biometric fingerprint capture devices in Al Dhafra, Sweihan, Al Maqam and Al Shahama.
• For visas issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai: Al Aweer Service centre
• For visas issued by the General Directorates of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in the rest of the emirates: All service centres that have biometric fingerprint capture devices.
Duration of the exit permit
It is important to note that the exit permit is valid for 14 days, within which you are required to exit the country.
Fines exemption
All previous fines and restrictions will be automatically reinstated if departure is not possible within the deadline or after the permits expire outside the specified exemption period.
Where can I go to raise inquiries?
If you need assistance with your visa status, you can reach out to the ICP through the following channels:
• ICP call centre – 600 522222
• Live chat – icp.gov.ae
• Amer call centre (for Dubai) – 800 5111
• MOHRE call centre – 600590000
• Any of the social media channels of the ICP or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFAD).
Range of amnesty services
During the amnesty grace period, the following services will be provided:
• Issuing an exit permit.
• Renewing a residence permit.
• Issuing a residence permit for newborns (born in the country).
• Issuing a new visa (work or residence).
• Adjusting the status of a valid visa.
• Issuing a residence permit for visa violators (work or residence).
Lost passports
Violators who have lost their passports must follow the process:
With regard to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) - Abu Dhabi, a request is submitted through the smart system, and the violator is given a copy of residency details and a certificate stating that the passport is lost to obtain a travel document.
The travel document issued by embassies and consulates is also relied upon for violators wishing to leave the country, provided that the data matches the data of the copy of residency details.
What if one of a company partner is violator?
A violating partner or investor must complete procedures related to cancelling the establishment in accordance with the ICP's regulations before submitting a request to leave the country.
How can the status of a family be adjusted if the head of the family is a wanted person or a violator?
• Family members are allowed to either leave the country or adjust their status, depending on the situation.
• If the head of the family chooses to leave the country with the family, the residencies of the family members will be canceled, and they will be permitted to leave.
If the family members, such as children, want to adjust their status, they can do so by transferring their sponsorship to the mother, provided she is employed, or by meeting the conditions for a work visa according to the procedures outlined in the relevant guide.
If the head of the family benefits from the visa issuance service, the residencies of the family members sponsored by him will not be canceled.