MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE's amnesty period has provided a lifeline for overstayers in the UAE, offering them a chance to regularise their status, while relieving them of hefty fines.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) had extended its amnesty period for visa and residency violators by two months, providing a final opportunity for individuals to regularise their status before the new deadline of December 31, 2024.
Initially set to end on October 30, 2024, the grace period was extended in response to the high demand.
Speaking with Aletihad on Monday, Devdas, the manager of an ICP-accredited typing centre in Abu Dhabi, reported a drop in the number of violators seeking assistance in recent weeks.
During the early months of the amnesty, the centre saw between 25 and 50 people daily. However, as the deadline approaches, this number has dwindled to fewer than 10 visitors per day.
"Now with less than 10 days until the amnesty ends, we are receiving only about five people a day," said Devdas.
He added that individuals seeking to regularise their status should act quickly to avoid potential delays in processing their claims before the deadline.
Among those coming to the centre are domestic workers from countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, Ethiopia and Bangladesh, Devdas noted.
Zahara, an Ethiopian housemaid, spoke to Aletihad about her situation.
Zahara arrived in the UAE on a visitor's visa three years ago. She is one of many overstayers seeking exit permits to return to their home countries.
On her modest monthly salary of Dh1,500, Zahara was unable to afford the hefty fines incurred by her illegal status.The standard fine for overstaying a visa is Dh50 a day. This applies to visitors, tourists and residents who stay in the UAE beyond the validity period of their visa.
"I felt trapped," she said. The 28-year-old was saved by the amnesty period extension, unaware of the gravity of her situation until recently.
"This period is a god-sent gift; I can finally return home and be with my family," she added, expressing hope to return to work in the UAE legally, should the opportunity arise.
The amnesty initiative benefits four groups of violators, including those with expired visas, residency violations, individuals listed in administrative reports, those who have abandoned their jobs, and foreign-born children whose guardians have not regularised their residency.
During the amnesty period, violators are granted incentives to encourage them to regularise their legal status.
These include exemption from administrative fines related to residency and visas, establishment card fines, ID card fines, and penalties imposed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Additionally, violators are relieved of fees associated with residency and visa cancellation, withdrawal of reports of work abandonment, departure permits and other associated fees.
They are also allowed to leave the country after regularising their status without facing a re-entry ban.
The ICP has stressed that the extension of the amnesty period is the final chance for violators to rectify their status.
Once the grace period ends on December 31, 2024, fines will be reimposed on those who remain in violation of residency and visa laws.
The ICP will ramp up inspection campaigns in collaboration with other government entities and take legal action against individuals found in breach of the law after the deadline.