The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made its amnesty program for visa violators easier by lowering the required passport validity period.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) announced a two-month grace period from September 1 to October 31, 2024. This program allows individuals who have violated entry and residency rules to correct their status without facing fines or other penalties. Details of this initiative were shared on ICP’s official website on Tuesday.
Purpose of the Initiative
The initiative reflects the UAE’s values of mercy and tolerance, aiming to help people stay in the country legally and secure their rights. The statement emphasizes the UAE’s commitment to offering violators a chance to fix their residency issues in a way that acknowledges their unique situations.
Eligible Groups for the Grace Period
The grace period applies to several groups:
- Residence violators: Those with expired or canceled residence permits.
- Visa violators: Individuals who overstayed their visas.
- Listed individuals: People reported for work interruptions.
- Newborns: Foreign-born children whose guardians didn’t secure residency within four months of birth.
Groups Not Covered by the Grace Period
Certain groups are not eligible for the grace period:
- Residence and visa violators who don’t fix their status by the deadline.
- Individuals listed for work interruption after September 1st.
- Deportees: Those deported from the UAE or Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
These groups are urged to address their status before the deadline.
Program Benefits
Eligible participants can avoid fines for overstaying, violations related to work contracts, and more. They will also be allowed to re-enter the UAE after resolving their status.
Application Process
Applications can be submitted online, through smart channels, or approved printing offices. Visits to service centers are only required for biometric fingerprinting. Online registration is available 24/7, and service centers operate until 8:00 PM.
Service centers are located across the UAE in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and other emirates. They are equipped with biometric systems to process applications.
Steps for Employers and Workers
Employers who wish to change a worker’s status can either cancel the work permit or report work abandonment via the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. If a worker wants to join a new employer, the new employer must apply for a work permit.
For workers wishing to leave the UAE, an exit permit can be obtained through the Authority’s systems. If a worker’s residency has expired but their work permit is valid, the employer can apply for a renewal without canceling any existing complaints.
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