Aug292024
Visavisa-amnesty-rizmona

United Arab Emirates Visa Amnesty 2024

For many expatriates in the UAE, overstaying a visa has turned life into a daily struggle. These individuals, often ordinary workers caught in difficult circumstances like job loss or legal disputes, face overwhelming fines and the constant threat of deportation. However, the latest news of amnesty 2024 is going to be an answer to the prayers of illegal residents, offering a lifeline to regularize their status or exit the country without incurring fines and penalties.

What Does the 2024 UAE Visa Amnesty Program Offer?

Starting September 1, 2024, the latest visa amnesty by the UAE government will be an opportunity for many expats who have overstayed their visas in Dubai. In this amnesty scheme, the UAE government offers a window of two months for illegal residents to legalize their status or leave the UAE without incurring fines. Before diving into the details of the amnesty scheme’s offerings, let’s first understand the eligibility criteria.

Who is Eligible for the Visa Amnesty Scheme 2024?

The Visa Amnesty Scheme 2024 offers an opportunity for individuals who have overstayed their visas or have discrepancies in their visa documentation. Let’s explore the eligibility criteria for the scheme and find out who can benefit from this governmental pardon and how to take the necessary steps toward regularizing their status.

Victims of Abuse or Fraud

Workers who have been abused or exploited by their employers and have overstayed their visas, as a result, can finally regularize their stay or leave the UAE with dignity.

Absconding Cases

Workers who have left their employers without canceling their visas can rectify their status. This includes those who have been listed in the administrative records for absconding.

Children Born Without Documentation

Children or individuals born in the UAE whose guardians did not register their residency within the required timeframe can now legalize their status.

Individuals with Financial Constraints

People who owe substantial amounts due to accumulated fines can have these fines waived, giving them a chance to either regularize their residency or return home without financial burdens.

People in Legal Disputes

Individuals involved in legal disputes, such as salary conflicts that have led to a travel ban or visa overstay, can use the amnesty to clear their names and resolve their status.

Those Unable to Leave the Country

Individuals who have been unable to leave the UAE due to financial or legal constraints now have a chance to leave the country without paying exit fees or facing bans.

Visa Violators

Individuals who have overstayed their residency visas beyond the grace period and are now facing heavy penalties. These residents can use the amnesty to regularize their status without paying these penalties.

Those who entered the UAE on a tourist visa and overstayed beyond the allowed period can also regularize their status with this scheme.

Who Are Excluded From this Visa Amnesty Scheme?

While offering significant relief to many, there are specific groups that cannot benefit from this scheme. Here’s who is excluded from the 2024 amnesty:

Individuals Who Entered the Country Illegally

Those who entered the UAE without proper documentation or visas are not eligible for the amnesty. These individuals, often referred to as “infiltrators,” are excluded from the program and must deal with their cases separately through the appropriate legal channels.

Recent Visa Violators

Individuals who have violated their visa terms after the amnesty period begins on September 1, 2024, are not eligible for this program. The amnesty is specifically designed for those who overstayed or violated their visa conditions before this date.

Deportation Cases

Individuals who have been previously deported from the UAE or any of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are not eligible for the amnesty. These cases typically involve serious legal violations, and the ban on re-entry remains in place.

Serious Criminal Offenders

People who have committed serious crimes or are facing criminal charges are generally not eligible for the amnesty. The program is designed to address immigration violations, not criminal offenses. Such individuals would need to address their legal issues through the UAE’s legal system.

Those With Unresolved Legal Disputes Not Covered by the Amnesty

While the amnesty covers visa violations, it does not necessarily resolve all types of legal disputes, such as those involving civil or criminal cases not related to visa status. Individuals in these situations might still face legal consequences outside the scope of the amnesty program.

Absconders Reported After September 1st, 2024

Employees who are reported as absconders (leaving their employer without proper notice) after the start of the amnesty period will not benefit from the program. The amnesty only covers absconding cases reported before September 1st, 2024.

Services Offered During the Two-Month Grace Period

During this grace period, the following services by Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) will be offered to eligible individuals:

Exemption from Fines:

Amnesty participants will be exempt from paying several types of fines, including:

    • Administrative fines for staying in the country illegally.
    • Fines related to expired establishment cards.
    • Identity card fines.
    • Fines for not providing the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) with an employment contract or renewal.

Exemption from Fees:

Participants will not be required to pay fees associated with:

    • Residence and visa cancellations.
    • Work interruption report filings.
    • Departure fees.
    • Residence and visa details updates.
    • Departure permit fees.

Regularization of Status:

  • Individuals can apply to regularize their stay by obtaining a new residency visa or renewing their expired visas without penalties.

Issuance of Exit Permits:

  • For those choosing to leave the country, an exit permit valid for 14 days will be issued, allowing them to depart without penalties or bans. It is crucial to use this permit within the allotted time to avoid reinstating penalties or restrictions.

Biometric Registration:

  • If not previously completed, biometric registration is required for those who need an exit permit or are regularizing their status. This can be done at designated service centers in various emirates, including Dubai’s Al Aweer Service Center and others across Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Support for Specific Cases:

Special provisions are made for individuals facing additional complications, such as:

    • Those who have lost their passports.
    • Families with a head of the family who is in violation of visa regulations.
    • Individuals involved in absconding cases.

Status Adjustment for Specific Categories:

  • The amnesty allows for the adjustment of the status of individuals born in the UAE without proper documentation, as well as those sponsored by troubled companies.

How to Avail 2024 Visa Amnesty?

If you meet the eligibility criteria and are not excluded, here’s how you can avail yourself of the 2024 Visa Amnesty:

  • Prepare Required Documents:

    • Passport: Ensure your passport is valid.
    • Visa Documents: Bring any previous visa documents, if available.
    • Identification: Carry any other identification documents, such as an Emirates ID, if you have them.

  • Application Submission:

    • Submit your application through the ICP website. If you are unsure how to proceed online, assistance is available at designated typing centers.

  • Biometric Registration:

    • Depending on whether you have previously registered your biometric data, you may need to visit a service center to complete biometric registration. If your biometric data is already on file, you may skip this step.

  • Visit Approved Centers:

    • If you haven’t completed biometric fingerprinting before, you’ll need to visit a designated center to complete this process. Approved centers include the Al Aweer Service Center in Dubai, as well as specified centers in Abu Dhabi that include Al Dhafra, Sweihan, Al Maqam and Al Shahamah and private typing centers that are recognised by the ICP.

  • Submit Your Application at Amnesty Centers:

    • After preparing your documents, submit your application along with the required documents. The officials at the center will guide you through the process.

  • Choose Your Option:

    • Leave the Country Without Penalty: You can choose to exit the UAE without paying fines or facing penalties.
    • Regularize Your Status: Alternatively, if you wish to stay in the UAE, you may need to find a new employer or sponsor. The ICP will guide you through transferring your visa to a new sponsor.

  • Fingerprinting and Exit Permit (If Opting to Leave):

    • If you choose to leave the UAE, an exit permit valid for 14 days will be issued after completing the fingerprinting process. Make sure to exit the country within this 14-day period to avoid fines and restrictions being reinstated.

  • Seek Assistance from Legal Advisors (If Needed):

    • If your case is complex, you may want to seek advice from a legal expert or immigration consultant to ensure a smooth process.

FAQS

What are the working hours of the amnesty service centers?

Service centers will be operational daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM throughout the amnesty period.

What happens if I am unable to settle my status within the specified amnesty period?

If you do not settle your status within the amnesty period, the law will be enforced, and fines and fees will be imposed as applicable. It is crucial to act within the two-month grace period to avoid these penalties.

What should I do if I have lost my passport and want to apply for the amnesty?

  • In Abu Dhabi, violators should submit a request through the smart system to obtain a copy of residency details and a certificate stating that the passport is lost. This certificate can be used to obtain a travel document from the relevant embassy or consulate.
  • In other emirates, violators must report the loss through the General Command of the Police, after which a travel document will be issued.

How should a violator with traffic violations and vehicle licensing issues proceed if they want to leave the country?

The violator must relinquish the vehicle before departure. This ensures that all legal and financial obligations related to the vehicle are resolved before leaving.

How can the status of a family be adjusted if the head of the family is a wanted person or a visa violator?

Departure: Family members may choose to leave the country with the head of the family, in which case their residencies will be canceled.

  • Status Adjustment: If family members wish to stay, they can transfer sponsorship to the mother (if employed) or adjust their status according to work visa conditions. If the head of the family benefits from the visa issuance service, the residencies of the family members under his sponsorship will not be canceled.

Where can I complete biometric fingerprinting for the UAE visa amnesty in Abu Dhabi and other emirates?

During the UAE visa amnesty, biometric fingerprinting can be completed at specific ICP centers depending on where your visa was issued:

    • Abu Dhabi: You can visit ICP centers located in Al Dhafra, Suwaihan, Al Maqam, and Al Shahama for biometric fingerprinting.
    • Dubai: The biometric fingerprinting can be done at the GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) center in Al Awir.
    • Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah: Individuals with visas issued in these emirates must go to their respective service centers to complete the biometric fingerprinting process.

How can the status of violators sponsored by troubled companies be adjusted?

  • For Companies Without Restrictions: The status of violators sponsored by companies without restrictions can be adjusted according to the standard procedures.
  • For Troubled Companies: If the violators are sponsored by troubled companies with restrictions, their status can be adjusted by the ICP in coordination with the executive departments to facilitate the process.
Category: Visa