The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has announced a reduction in the passport validity required to avail of the UAE visa amnesty programme from six months to one month.
Maj-Gen Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, ICP director-general, explained that this amendment will allow violators to amend their status without needing to renew their passports if their validity period is less than six months, as was previously required. This change is intended to help violators overcome the difficulties associated with the lengthy process of renewing passports through embassies in the country.
Al Khaili further emphasized that this decision is expected to encourage visa violators to take advantage of the two-month amnesty programme, which is set to run until October 31. The amnesty, launched on September 1, aims to provide violators with the opportunity to either leave the country without an entry ban stamp or secure a job and remain in the country with the appropriate visa.
Al Khaili urged violators to contact the ICP call centre to raise any questions or concerns they may have, allowing the authority’s team to address and resolve their challenges.
