UAE Eases Amnesty Program for Visa Violators with New Grace Period

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made its amnesty program for visa violators easier by lowering the required passport validity period.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship and Customs and Ports Security (ICP) announced a two-month grace period from September 1 to October 31, 2024.

During this time, people who have violated entry or residency rules can fix their status without paying fines or facing penalties.

According to the ICP’s announcement, this program reflects the UAE’s values of kindness and tolerance, aiming to help people who want to stay in the country legally.

“This initiative supports the UAE’s approach of mercy and tolerance, giving violators a chance to correct their status in a simple and fair way,” the statement said.

The goal is to give people the opportunity to fix their residency issues while considering their circumstances.

Who Can Use the Grace Period?

The grace period is available to several groups:

1. Residence Violators: People with expired or canceled residence permits.
2. Visa Violators: Those who have overstayed their visas.
3. Listed Individuals: Workers recorded for work interruptions.
4. Foreign-Born Children: Kids whose guardians didn’t establish their residency within four months of birth.

Who is Not Included?

Some groups will not benefit from the amnesty:

1. Unresolved Residence and Visa Violators: People who don’t correct their status by the end of the grace period.
2. Work Interruption Cases: Individuals recorded for work abandonment need to fix their status before September 1.
3. Deportation Cases: People who have been deported from the UAE or other Gulf countries.

Benefits of the Program

People who fix their status during the grace period won’t have to pay fines for overstaying or work-related issues.

They also won’t be banned from returning to the UAE, allowing them to correct their situation smoothly.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted online through smart channels or at approved offices. You don’t need to visit service centers unless you need biometric fingerprinting.

E-channels are open 24/7, and service centers will be open until 8:00 PM. There are centers available in major cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and others to help with applications.

Steps for Employers and Workers

Employers can cancel a work permit or report work abandonment if they want to change a worker’s status.

If a worker wants to join a new employer, the new employer must apply for a work permit. If a worker wants to leave the UAE, they must apply for an exit permit.

The UAE’s new amnesty program aims to make it easier for people to correct their residency status and continue living in the country legally, offering a more compassionate solution for visa violators.