UAE Extends Visa Amnesty Period Until Year-End

The UAE Government for a third time has postponed the visa amnesty to December 31, 2024 and granted people who are under visa legalisation violations more time to legalise their stay in the country. Initially, the prevention measure was scheduled to end on October 31, but due to the weakness and people’s desire, it is extended to match the UAE’s 53rd National Day. This extra time should give violators an opportunity to leave the country, obtain a job or sort out their legal status of residency according to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security ICP.

According to Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili the Director General of the ICP, this extension would be final and urged the violators to sort out their status. Since the beginning of amnesty on 01 September, there have been fairly heavy inflow of people to service centers in UAE mainly because of the looming deadline of the amnesty.

The amnesty enables people who have violated their visa legal stay in the UAE without painful fines and penalties and to legalise their visa status without payment. Usually, getting overstayed in the UAE allows you to face a fine of AED 50 per day, earlier it was AED 100 per day. The application documents can be submitted through ICP’s smart channels during the amnesty while biometric updates may require one to visit immigration centers.

Starting from January 1 st, penalties and sanctions will be applied, and the companies that failed to adhere to the established rules and regulation may be subjected to more frequent checks, and possible legal proceedings. For those who want to exit the country, a 14 days amnesty of violation permit can be allowed, while those with expired permits and violated post December 31 shall be charged a fine.

• Medical fitness certificate (for those over 18)
• Recent color photo with a white background
• Valid passport copy
• Sponsor’s passport with residence permit
• Attested birth certificate (for children)
• Entry permit
• Emirates ID application receipt
• Proof of residence (lease or ownership)
• Medical insurance or health card
• Mother’s residence photo (for newborns)

The amnesty extension is a significant opportunity for visa violators to address their status in alignment with UAE regulations before facing fines in the new year.