UAE Declares Visa Amnesty, Waiving Overstayers’ Fines and Fees

Beginning on September 1, 2024, the UAE is granting a two-month grace period to individuals who have overstayed their visas. Fine waivers, fee reductions, and no further travel bans are all part of this program. Its goal is to assist locals and guests in changing their status without incurring financial or legal repercussions.

For those living in the UAE, good news! Starting on September 1, 2024, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) will offer a two-month visa amnesty program. With the help of this program, citizens and guests can change their immigration status without incurring fines.

Overview: Visa Amnesty

A UAE government program known as “visa amnesty” enables people who have overstayed their visas to change their status without incurring penalties or being deported. Fee exemptions and chances to become a permanent resident or to leave the country are frequently included.

Crucial Information about the UAE Visa Amnesty

Both UAE citizens and visitors would be able to change their visa status during the amnesty without paying penalties or risking deportation. Some of the program’s highlights are:

• Overstayed Residents: You can renew your status under the amnesty without paying any fees or dealing with any legal repercussions if your UAE resident visa has expired or been revoked.
• Visa Overstayers: During the amnesty, travelers who overstay their visa’s validity can change their status and avoid being deported and paying fines.
• Absconded Workers: Under this amnesty, former employees who quit their sponsor without formally canceling their visa can correct their status and escape penalties.
• Foreign nationals who were born in the United Arab Emirates but did not register their residency within the allotted four months are now able to do so without incurring penalties.

Who Stands to Gain?

The UAE visa amnesty enables overstaying residents, visitors whose visas have expired, workers who have vanished, and unregistered babies to change their status without facing consequences or deportation.

• Overstayed Residents: During the amnesty, you can change your status if your UAE residence visa has expired or been revoked.
• Visitors who have overstayed their visa validity in the United Arab Emirates may be eligible for benefits.
• Absconded Workers: Former workers might make amends if they quit their sponsors without properly canceling their visas.
• Unregistered Foreigners: Born in the United Arab Emirates citizens who haven’t updated their residency status within four months of birth are now able to do so.

Waiver of Fines and Fees

Several fines are waived as part of the amnesty, including those related to identity cards, establishment cards, unlawful residency, and MOHRE employment contracts. It also waives departure permit and visa cancelation expenses. The following penalties are waived by the amnesty:

• Administrative penalties for unauthorized residence
• Fines associated with establishment cards
• Penalties for identity cards
• Fines for employment contracts issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE)
• MOHRE penalty for renewing employment contracts
• Among the fees that are excused during the amnesty are:
• Fee for residence and cancellation of visa
• Fee for reporting work interruptions
• Cost of departure
• Fees for residence and a visa
• Fees for departure permits

How to Apply for a Visa Amnesty

• To take advantage of the visa amnesty, update your biometric data at authorized typing and fingerprinting locations and apply online via the ICP website.
• Fill out the application on the ICP website.
• Update your biometric data at certain locations for fingerprinting and typing.

Prior Amnesty Achievements

105,000 people benefited from the program during the most recent widespread visa amnesty in the UAE in 2018, which allowed them to normalize their residency and tourist status.

For Further Details, Contact

Reach ICP by phone at 600 522 222, visit their website at www.icp.gov.ae, or contact MOHRE at 600 590 000 for more information.

Final Thoughts

With the UAE’s visa amnesty program, individuals who have overstayed their visas have a great chance to change their status without incurring fines. The project highlights the United Arab Emirates’s dedication to humane immigration management by eliminating fines and fees and offering a transparent application procedure.

Use this opportunity, if you are impacted, to change your status or make the required corrections before the amnesty expires.