As from today, the UAE has implemented a two months visa amnesty for violators where people can rectify their status without facing the consequences.
A grace period up to October 31, 2024, for people on residence or visits visas and expired offers individuals a chance to sort things out without being subjected to fines, administrative charges, or banning.
The announcement was made on August 28 during a press conference in Abu Dhabi by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security ICP.
Maj Gen Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, the Acting Director General of ICP, reiterated the purpose of the initiative, which is to provide a second opportunity to those who violated the visa conditions and give them an opportunity to legalize their presence through a liberal legal framework.
“The move to bring back violators from the status of illegality serves the extenuation of the values of tolerance, compassion, and social integration.
The captured support is beyond measure as it dismisses them from incurring any financial burden through visas, residency, identity cards and establishment cards,” Major General Al Khaili added.
Who Can Benefit from the Amnesty?
This amnesty is for different types of visa violators, which include:
Residency violators: Those who hold a residence permit but have overstayed beyond the allowed period.
Visa violators: Individuals who have overstayed their visit visa.
Absconding cases: Those listed under the ‘Report of interruption of work.’
Foreigners born in the UAE: People whose parents didn’t verify their address within 4 months of their birth.
However, the amnesty does not extend to those who violate visa rules after September 1, 2024, or individuals on deportation lists.
Benefits of the Grace Period
The amnesty offers significant relief, including: The amnesty offers significant relief, including:
Exemption from five types of fines: Which includes admin fines for overstay, establishment card fines, id card fines and fines concerning the mohre (ministry of human resources and emiratisation) for violations of the work contract.
Fee Waivers: That along with the cost of cancelling the residency and visa, work cancellation reports, and exit permits.
No Ban on Re-entry: Those who violate can still exit the country without a ban stamp and can eventually come back to the UAE.
How to Apply for the Amnesty
This amnesty is available for those who can apply through the ICP website (icp. If it has not been done before the applicant may have to go to a service center to get registered for biometric data. All of the exit visas that are issued under this amnesty will be good for 14 days and the person has to leave the country or else the fines and restrictions will be reinstated.
Special Considerations
Lost Passports: Even those violators who have lost their passports can take advantage of the amnesty by having a travel document issued through their embassy or consulate, with the facilitation of ICP.
Family Cases: Also, families that have overstayed visas can get their status legitimized during this time, and yes, this includes children who would have to transfer sponsorship to a parent who is working.
Additionally, the ICP is also there to help with any further questions and they have a call center number, a live chat, and even contacts on facebook and twitter. People should really use this amnesty time to get their visas straightened out so they won’t have to worry about any future legal problems.
