UAE Visa Amnesty Kicks Off, Thousands Seek to Legalize Their Stay

In this bid, the UAE government has launched a two months amnesty for those holding expired residencies and visit visas with a view of legalizing them free of charge with the usual fines attached. The amnesty program was started from September 1, 2024, for those who have violated the legal term of their stay in the country on visas and provides them the opportunity to legalise their stay in the country or to leave the territory of the Russian Federation without any fines.

This has already received a good reception, thousands have started lining up at the various centres in the emirates. It also means that families who have not been able to get visas for children born in the UAE are now allowed to do so, and apply for the papers during this amnesty.

Christopher Kyeyunemr, a 29-year-old Ugandan, who has been living in Dubai illegally for the last two years received the advantage of the program first. He could not renew working permit and hence seeking for a visa was challenging until he got amnesty that enabled him to get an exit pass and book a flight back home. “I have just received my exit pass and I am heading to Dubai Airport in order to catch my flight to 10:30am,” he said.

In Dubai, to migrate the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has opened centres in Al Awir and it can handle the immigration of over 2000 people at one time. In the first half an hour of the amnesty, 100 people was released from fines. Failure to leave the country before the expiry of the visa incurs a penalty of Dh50 ($13. 6) for every day spent in the UAE, which has discouraged many from standing a chance to sort the expired ones.

The intensity of people visiting the embassies has increased especially in the issuance of passports and other travel documents; thus many embassies such as the Pakistan and Indian embassies have been forced to extend their operational time. The amnesty has been set till October 21, 2024, and is the only chance that can help people solve their problems related to their residency, with the option of prolongation, if necessary.