UAE visa amnesty programme begins - in pictures

  • Faral Ally Hamis, from Tanzania, during the second day of visa amnesty at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai in Al Awir area. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Faral Ally Hamis, from Tanzania, during the second day of visa amnesty at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai in Al Awir area. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • People wait to be seen at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai.
    People wait to be seen at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai.
  • Officials help direct those waiting during the second day of visa amnesty in Dubai.
    Officials help direct those waiting during the second day of visa amnesty in Dubai.
  • Visitors were given free coconut water at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai.
    Visitors were given free coconut water at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai.
  • Kashem Samir Hossain, from Bangladesh, during the second day of visa amnesty at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
    Kashem Samir Hossain, from Bangladesh, during the second day of visa amnesty at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
  • Officials help during the second day of visa amnesty at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai.
    Officials help during the second day of visa amnesty at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai.
  • Officials deal with the queues at the visa amnesty at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Al Awir, Dubai.
    Officials deal with the queues at the visa amnesty at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Al Awir, Dubai.
  • Maj Gen Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director General of GDRFA, centre, talking to visitors
    Maj Gen Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director General of GDRFA, centre, talking to visitors
  • Officials in the women's section during the visa amnesty
    Officials in the women's section during the visa amnesty
  • People who have overstayed their residence or visit visas will not be fined
    People who have overstayed their residence or visit visas will not be fined
  • Venus Devera from the Philippines with her 15-month-old daughter Alvia Faith at the General Directorate in Dubai
    Venus Devera from the Philippines with her 15-month-old daughter Alvia Faith at the General Directorate in Dubai
  • The two-month initiative is open for people with expired residency and visit visas
    The two-month initiative is open for people with expired residency and visit visas
  • Christopher Kyeyunemr, 29, from Uganda, was one of the first people to obtain the exit pass after living illegally for two years
    Christopher Kyeyunemr, 29, from Uganda, was one of the first people to obtain the exit pass after living illegally for two years
  • Companies set up their stands to recruit candidates during the visa amnesty
    Companies set up their stands to recruit candidates during the visa amnesty
  • Bachaire Polindao from the Philippines with her 10-month-old daughter Amal Mohamed Mustafa at the amnesty in Dubai
    Bachaire Polindao from the Philippines with her 10-month-old daughter Amal Mohamed Mustafa at the amnesty in Dubai
  • People wait to have their stay in the UAE legalised
    People wait to have their stay in the UAE legalised