DUBAI – An amnesty for foreign violators including Pakistanis of the UAEresidency laws will shortly be announced by the Federal Authority forIdentity and Citizenship (FAIC) will shortly launch, a senior official saidon Monday.
Ali Mohammad Bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Chairman of FAIC, said violators willhave the option to either rectify their legal status through paying nominalfees, or leave the UAE voluntarily without having to suffer any legalconsequences, along with waiving any fines that they may have due to theirillegal stay.
Al Shamsi said the amnesty dubbed “Protect Yourself via Rectifying YourStatus” will be launched within the next few weeks.
In 2013, almost 62,000 illegal residents took advantage of the last visaamnesty, which ran for two months.
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The move comes against the backdrop of a Cabinet decision on visafacilitations for visitors, residents, families and people overstayingtheir visa to cater for a wider segment of the society.
The Cabinet has approved a new legislative package, including a review ofthe current residency system to allow a two-year extension of the residencyperiod for the dependents of their parents after finishing their universitystudies.
A new decision has also been approved to exempt transit passengers from allentry fees for the first 48 hours. Transit visa can be extended for up to96 hours for a fee of only Dh50. Obtaining transit visa will be facilitatedby a number of express counter at the passport-control hall across UAEairports.
The Cabinet also granted people overstaying their visa a chance to leavethe country voluntarily without a “no entry” passport stamp. A new 6-monthvisa will be introduced for job seekers who overstayed their visa but wishto work in the country.
As for Individuals who entered the UAE illegally, they will have the chanceto leave voluntarily with a “no entry” stamp for two years given that theyprovide a valid return ticket.
Equally, in a step aimed at simplifying the process and easing thefinancial burden on individuals wishing to adjust or renew their visa, theycan now do so for a fee without having to leave and re-enter the country.
The chairman of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship saidthat the Cabinet’s amnesty supports the UAE’s economic competitiveness andbolsters its position as one of the best countries in the world thatprovides a dignified life for those looking for social and economicstability, and one of the countries that attracts the most investments andgreat minds.
In January, Kuwait’s announced a general amnesty that is expected tobenefit nearly 130,000 illegal residents, according to its ministry ofinterior.
Al Shamsi added that the UAE’s policy and wise leadership have nothesitated since the inception of this young country to take into accountthe humanitarian aspects and noble values, so as to ensure respect forhuman dignity and to provide an opportunity for all those who aspire tolive on this good land
Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al-Rashdi, Acting Director General of ForeignersAffairs and Ports Department, said, “We are ready to implement thedecisions of the Council of Ministers and will work diligently and roundthe clock to accomplish all the legal and administrative proceduresrequired by the implementation process
Al-Rashidi urged all violators, sponsors and members of the public to takeadvantage of the amnesty and the facilities provided by the governmentthrough this initiative—a far better than previous ones as it offers anopportunity for the offender to get a job and without having to leave thecountry.
He warned that missing this opportunity will expose any violation of thelaws of residency in the country to legal consequences includingprosecution and fines.
Al Rashidi said a toll free telephone number will be set up later to answerinquiries from members of the public about the amnesty and how to benefitfrom its provisions and the time granted to the violators.