A GDRFA official assists expatriates at the Al Awir Centre in Dubai during the UAE Visa Amnesty Programme. — Photo by Muhammad Sajjad
The UAE introduced one of its most lenient amnesty schemes earlier this year. Beginning September 1, visa violators were permitted to regularize their status or depart the country without facing any penalties. In previous amnesties, those who opted to leave would face a ban, preventing their return. The scheme, offering a lifeline to many overstayers, was initially set for two months and was later extended to the end of the year on October 31. One individual who benefited from the extension was Filipina expat Jen. After being defrauded of her money, the amnesty presented a golden opportunity for her.
“However, finding a job was challenging,” she stated. “I explored various avenues but nothing materialized. Realizing my desperation, my children offered to halt their studies so I could return to the Philippines peacefully. Yet, I was resolute in staying to support my family.” Although Jen eventually secured employment, the documentation process took longer than anticipated, particularly due to the last-minute rush in October as the amnesty neared its original end date. “On October 31, I was still awaiting my visa approval,” she recounted. “It kept getting delayed. I spent the entire day by my phone. The company suggested the worst-case scenario was that I could fly back home and return once the visa was processed. However, that was easier said than done. For Filipinos, there are numerous procedures and documents required to obtain a new UAE visa.” Fearing the worst, she inquired about ticket prices from a travel agent and requested a reservation for the night of October 31.
“When I received the call that the amnesty was extended, I fell to my knees and prayed,” she recalled. “It was the best action the government could have taken for people like me.” When announcing the extension, Maj-Gen Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, director-general of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP), stated: “The decision to extend the amnesty deadline coincides with the UAE's celebration of the 53rd Union Day and reflects the country's humanitarian and civilized values. It also responds to the appeals, desires, and aspirations of violators who wish to settle their status by either leaving the country or obtaining an employment contract and modifying their residency to remain in the country.”
Maj-Gen Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, director-general of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP), emphasized that the decision to extend the amnesty deadline aligns with the UAE's celebration of the 53rd Union Day and embodies the country's humanitarian and civilized values.
Extremely Beneficial According to Zubair Sidheeq from Al Hasel Business Services, the extension of the amnesty was extremely beneficial to many. “I had numerous clients in a state of desperation because their passports had expired and they needed them renewed to avail the amnesty,” he said. “I had an Afghan family with fines amounting to Dh50,000. Their passport had expired. Prior to the amnesty, if both your visa and passport were expired and you renewed your passport, immigration would show you as out of the country. However, during the amnesty, the government made adjustments to automatically update this in the system. The UAE government has made it as straightforward as possible for people to regularize their status during this amnesty.” He noted that on October 31, his center experienced an immense rush. “It was almost like a sea of people,” he described. “When the news of the extension came, we genuinely breathed a sigh of relief. It helped so many who would have otherwise been stranded.” He advised other overstayers not to be complacent. “Passport renewals take time to process and update in the system,” he cautioned. “So, those wishing to avail the amnesty but have expired documents should start planning now and not leave it until the last moment. There is less than a month remaining for the amnesty.”
An officer taking biometrics of an amnesty seeker at Al Aweer Immigration Centre in Dubai. — Photo by Neeraj Murali
‘Hard to Witness’ Several government agencies, social groups, and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure overstayers received the assistance they needed. In Al Awir, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) set up a tent dedicated to amnesty seekers, where thousands sought help. Dubai resident S.K., who volunteered at the tent, witnessed many heart-wrenching scenes. “In the final week of October, a woman arrived and broke down in tears because she had a bank case against her that would not be concluded before October 31,” he recounted. “She was terrified that all the fines would be reinstated and she would not be able to return home. It was a great humanitarian gesture by the UAE government to extend the amnesty,” he said. He noted it was a great relief to see the same woman the following week with a smile on her face. “The case had been settled, and she had the opportunity to regularize her status,” he said. — nasreen@khaleejtimes.com
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