Since the UAE visa amnesty commenced on September 1, numerous overstayers have been granted relief, ending years of anxiety while residing illegally in the UAE. Fines accumulated over time were waived, and penalties were cleared, offering visa violators an opportunity to begin afresh either in the Emirates or return to their home countries. The terms and conditions were explicitly outlined, specifying who is eligible and ineligible to apply for the amnesty, as well as the necessary requirements to qualify. The amnesty program is set to conclude at the end of October. Over the past several weeks, as numerous applications have been processed, UAE authorities have implemented measures to streamline the process and provide additional flexibility to those seeking amnesty. Here are three recent changes introduced to the ongoing visa amnesty program:
1. Extension of 14-day exit pass validity: In addition to having their fines cleared, amnesty recipients are issued an exit pass, allowing them to leave the country without incurring penalties. Initially, they were granted a 14-day grace period to depart the UAE. This period has now been extended until the end of the amnesty program, enabling those with an exit pass to arrange their flights and leave by October 31.
2. Amendment to passport validity period: Typically, a passport is deemed valid if it expires at least six months from the current date. However, in an advisory issued on September 24, UAE authorities reduced the required six-month passport validity period to one month. Visa violators can now apply for amnesty and rectify their residency status without needing to renew their passports if they have at least one month of validity remaining. "This adjustment will help violators address the issue of the lengthy period required to renew passports through the embassies in the country," stated a senior official from the ICP.
3. Waiver of Abu Dhabi health insurance fines: Health insurance fines in Abu Dhabi will be waived for visa violators granted amnesty who wish to remain in the emirate. To benefit from this waiver, amnesty recipients must promptly initiate the process to obtain health insurance documentation. "We urge individuals to take advantage of this initiative and complete the health insurance enrollment procedures within the specified timeframe," emphasized Bina Al Awani, Executive Director of the Health Care Financing Providers Sector at the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi.
