What is amnesty?
Visa amnesty is a program that allows ex-pats to correct their visa status without facing penalties or fines. The UAE government has launched this initiative to help people with visa violations and overstay issues. The aim of the program is to encourage people to come forward and regularize their status in the country (usually every 5 years).
Who is eligible for Amnesty?
The visa amnesty program is open to all expats living in the UAE with visa-related issues, including overstaying their visa, having an expired visa, or violating any other visa-related laws.
The program is applicable to all types of visas, including visit visas, employment visas, and residency visas. News from General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs:
Where I can apply for amnesty?
Will be automatically changed in GDRFA and ICP System.
Date and time?
2 Months grace period starting from 1st September 2024.
Options after my fines waved?
Renew your visa | Renew the same visit visa which you have used to enter the UAE. |
6 months job seeker visa | Stay in country legally with a valid 6 months job seeker transferable visa at any time into work or tourist visa. |
Exit the country | Remove all fines and absconding cases and exit the country with a 1-way ticket to your home country. |
Apply for a new visa | Get a new 1 or 2 months visit visa if you had a previous residency cancelation and you didn’t change your status. |
Note: All visa types are accepted in this amnesty; regardless of which emirates has been issued.
Those who can apply for the amnesty include residents who stay illegally in the country after the expiry of their residency visa, visitors to the UAE who stayed in the country after their visit visa had ran out and children who were born in the UAE but whose parents did not apply for residency for them.
The amnesty will also be applicable to those who fled from their sponsors. Anyone who has entered the country illegally is not eligible to apply for amnesty.
The two-month grace period, which comes into effect from September 1, is being overseen by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), who announced details of the scheme at a press conference on Wednesday morning.
Where to apply for the amnesty
There are locations throughout the emirates where an application for amnesty can be processed.
In Abu Dhabi, people can apply at ICP centers in Al Dhafra, Suwaihan, Al Maqa and Al Shahama.
In Dubai, amnesty services will be provided at its Amer Service Centers, and the centre for immigration violators in Al Awir.
Amnesty applications can be made at ICP centers throughout the rest of the emirates.
The service centers will be operational throughout the amnesty from 8am until 8pm daily.
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