UAE launches 2 month visa amnesty program for illegal residents
The United Arab Emirates has inaugurated an expansive two-month visa amnesty program, starting today and running until October 30, 2024, to address the status of individuals residing illegally in the country. Announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), the initiative offers a pivotal chance for those with expired visas to either regularize their status or depart without incurring penalties.
The program covers all types of expired visas, including tourist and residency visas. Under this scheme, individuals can adjust their status to continue living and working legally in the UAE or choose to leave the country without facing fines or entry bans. This amnesty extends to those born in the UAE without official documentation and individuals who have absconded from their sponsors. However, it does not apply to those who entered the UAE illegally.
The UAE government aims to use this initiative to foster legal compliance, tolerance, and social cohesion. To ease the process, service centers across the country have extended their operational hours to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and online applications are accessible 24/7.
The amnesty program is of particular significance to the Indian expatriate community, which constitutes about 30 percent of the UAE’s population, with approximately 3.5 million Indian residents. The majority reside in the six Northern Emirates, including Dubai. In light of this, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai have announced support measures. These include issuing Emergency Certificates for those wishing to return to India and short-validity passports for those seeking to regularize their residency. BLS Centers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the Northern Emirates have also extended their hours, including on Sundays, to facilitate the processing of applications.
This amnesty program is expected to significantly impact the expatriate community, providing an opportunity to rectify their legal status and highlighting the UAE’s balanced approach to immigration challenges.
