For numerous expatriates who have overstayed in the UAE, the announcement of the country's forthcoming amnesty initiative, scheduled to commence on Sunday, September 1, has provided a long-awaited sense of relief.
“It was my aspiration to work in the UAE. Upon my arrival, I was filled with joy. However, this happiness was short-lived,” recounted Kamil, a 32-year-old Bangladeshi laborer living in Jebel Ali. Kamil entered the UAE on a visit visa in December 2019 with the intention of finding plastering work. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic thwarted his plans. “I managed to work on a visit visa for three months, but due to the pandemic, my employer was unable to process my residency visa. In February 2022, I approached him once more, but he informed me that I needed to settle all my fines first, which was financially out of reach for me,” Kamil explained. The amnesty has offered him a fresh opportunity. “At last, I will be able to work in the UAE without disturbance once I secure employment. This government initiative will enable me to fulfill my dreams of working in the UAE,” he expressed.
The Emirates' impending amnesty program has been embraced by numerous undocumented residents and those who have exceeded their visit visa duration as a chance to correct their legal status or return to their home countries without repercussions. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) has declared that no fines or charges will be levied during the two-month amnesty window.
Mohammed Saqlain, a 35-year-old Pakistani citizen, shared his tale of struggle after arriving in the UAE on a visit visa the previous year. “My employer assured me of employment and the issuance of my residency visa. Nevertheless, after overstaying for a month, I was informed that my visa would not be granted. I found myself in a predicament, unable to depart the country or secure a visa due to my status,” Saqlain detailed. Confronted with an uncertain fate, Saqlain was compelled to accept miscellaneous jobs to sustain himself. “I had to take on odd jobs to support my family and my living expenses in Dubai. On average, I earned approximately Dh40 per day,” he stated. The amnesty program has instilled him with renewed optimism. “Now, with this amnesty, I will be free and can visit my family back home. Upon my return to the UAE, I will ensure that I adhere to all laws,” Saqlain added.
This amnesty represents the fourth such initiative by the UAE government since 2007, offering an opportunity for overstaying residents to embark on a new life, free from the burden of overstaying fines.
