Overstayers in the UAE who wish to regularise their residency status and continue residing in the country must present a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, according to a senior official. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, director general of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, emphasized the significance of this document in the regularisation process during an interview with Khaleej Times. "Expats who have overstayed and want to continue residing in the UAE must submit a valid MoHRE work permit as part of their application to legalise their residency status. A company's offer letter is not considered an authentic document," Al Marri stated.
This requirement ensures that only those with legitimate employment are allowed to remain in the country, supporting the government's efforts. It is part of the ongoing amnesty program designed to help individuals correct their residency status without facing legal repercussions. Al Marri explained that the work permit demonstrates that the individual is employed at a company and contributes to the UAE's economy. "The work permit verifies that the applicant has a lawful job in the UAE, which is crucial for them to stay," he added. "Our aim is to make the process smooth and enable individuals to legally continue their lives in the UAE."
Expats seeking to benefit from the amnesty program are advised to gather all necessary documentation, including the work permit, before approaching the respective centres to regularise their status. "We encourage all eligible individuals to take advantage of this amnesty program. Our objective is to provide a legal pathway for people to stay in the UAE, and we are here to support them throughout this process," he concluded. The amnesty program, which aims to rectify illegal residents' status without imposing fines, bans, or legal actions, has already attracted thousands of applicants for regularisation. Officials have urged all overstaying expats to ensure they have the necessary documents before approaching GDRFA centres to avoid delays in their application process.
