The UAE government announced a two-month UAE visa amnesty 2024 set to begin in September, targeting residents whose documents have expired. For the first time, the campaign will incorporate artificial intelligence to ensure that rules are clearly communicated and that procedures are easy to follow — giving overstayers a structured path to either regularise their status or leave the country without fines.
ICP to Lead AI-Powered Amnesty Campaign
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) is responsible for overseeing the initiative. Ahead of the launch, the ICP convened an extraordinary preparatory meeting to finalise the operational policies of the amnesty campaign.
The meeting was chaired by Maj Gen Suhail Juma Al Khaili, acting director and head of the ICP. He reaffirmed the plan to maximise the use of electronic services and AI tools in running the programme, in line with the government's broader drive to reduce bureaucracy and modernise public services.
UAE's History of Visa Amnesty Programmes
The UAE has run similar amnesty campaigns before. Major programmes were held in 2007, 2013, and 2018, each drawing thousands of individuals to immigration offices to resolve their status. A further amnesty was conducted in 2020 specifically to assist those who had been displaced or stranded due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Maj Gen Al Khaili noted that full details of the 2024 amnesty will be released closer to the launch date, and expressed confidence that the programme will deliver positive outcomes. He stated that the initiative reflects the UAE's culture of tolerance and its commitment to giving violators an opportunity to normalise their situation under the law.
Overstay Fines and Grace Periods
Overstay fines in the UAE are set at AED 50 (approximately USD 13.60) per day, applicable to both tourists and residents. Foreigners on a residency visa whose permit has lapsed or been cancelled due to job loss are typically granted a six-month grace period to either depart or secure an alternative visa category.
The visa amnesty 2024 extends a lifeline to those who have remained beyond this six-month grace window, offering them a way to regularise their unlawful status without the added burden of accumulated fines.
AI as a Cornerstone of the Process
Integrating AI into the amnesty framework is a deliberate move to improve efficiency and the overall experience for all parties involved. It represents the UAE's continued investment in smart government systems — upgrading administrative data management and digital services in a way that benefits all residents, regardless of their visa status.
The combination of AI-assisted processing and streamlined electronic services is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and procedural confusion compared with earlier amnesty campaigns.
