The UAE has lowered the required passport validity for those seeking to benefit from the ongoing visa amnesty program. The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) announced on Tuesday that passport validity has been reduced from six months to one month.
Maj-Gen Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, director-general of the ICP, explained in a Khaleej Times report that the change allows violators to amend their residency status without needing to renew their passports if they have less than six months’ validity. This adjustment is expected to ease challenges faced by violators, particularly in renewing passports through embassies.
The two-month visa amnesty, which started on September 1 and runs until October 31, gives violators the opportunity to either leave the country without an entry ban or secure a job and obtain the necessary visa to stay.
Al Khaili encouraged violators to reach out to the ICP call center with any inquiries or challenges, assuring that the team will address and resolve their concerns.