Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, director general of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, on Wednesday said that individuals who have stayed in the UAE beyond their permit validity must obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation to legalise their residency status and stay in the country.
While underlining the importance of this document in the regularisation process in an interview, he said that expats who overstayed their visas and want to remain in the UAE must have a valid MoHRE work permit as part of their application for the legalisation of their residency status, adding, “A company’s offer letter is not a real paper.
The director general GDRFA stated that this requirement helps to support our efforts by allowing only those with valid employment to stay in the country, adding that this condition is included in the amnesty program, which helps people fix their residency status without any legal repercussions.
As per Al Marri, the employment permit indicates that the individual is working for a company and playing a role in the economy of the UAE.
He further reiterated that the work permit acts as proof of the applicant’s legal employment in the UAE, enabling them to remain in the country. “Our objective is to guarantee a seamless process so that individuals can lawfully carry on with their lives in the UAE,” he added.
“Expat residents who have stayed longer than permitted should ensure they have all the required paperwork, such as their work permit, before visiting the designated centers to benefit from the amnesty program. This will reduce the risk of disruptions in the process.”
