The UAE government has announced a two-month visa amnesty programme beginning on September 1, offering those who are staying illegally in the country a chance to regularize their residency status or leave without incurring fines. However, according to a Khaleej Times report, this amnesty does not extend to individuals who entered the UAE illegally; they are not eligible to apply.
The amnesty programme is designed to provide relief to visa and residency violators by allowing them to correct their status or exit the country without penalties. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) stated that those who leave under the amnesty will not face overstay fines or exit fees, nor will they be banned from re-entering the UAE with the appropriate visa in the future.
The initiative covers a wide range of visa holders, including those with expired residency or tourist visas, individuals born in the UAE who were not registered within four months of birth, and those who absconded from their sponsors. Yet, individuals who entered the UAE without proper documentation or through illegal means are excluded from this opportunity. According to the ICP, UAE laws will be strictly enforced for these individuals, and they cannot benefit from the amnesty’s leniency.
Other restrictions apply to residency and visa violators who commit infractions after the start date of the amnesty on September 1, 2024. Those facing deportation cases in the UAE or any Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country, or who accumulate absconding cases after September 1, are also ineligible for the amnesty.
The amnesty is being implemented to promote respect for UAE laws and to foster social cohesion by providing a chance for individuals to rectify their legal status or depart without facing punitive measures. It also seeks to streamline processes for those eligible, waiving a variety of fines and administrative fees to encourage compliance.
For those eligible, the amnesty offers a streamlined process for departure or status modification. Applications can be made at designated service centers or online through ICP’s electronic platforms. Biometric fingerprinting may be required for some applicants, and there are specific centers across various emirates to facilitate this process.