In A Closer Look, The National provides an in-depth take on one of the main stories of the week
A major humanitarian initiative has begun in the UAE, where thousands of people with visa-related fines are set to be given a clean slate to either resume work or leave the country.
The two-month overstay visa amnesty began on Sunday and will run until the end of October.
Here, host Sarah Forster speaks to The National's Ali Al Shouk to find out who is eligible for the amnesty and where they can apply, as well as hear the stories of those who found themselves in desperate need of the initiative.
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UAE visa amnesty: in pictures
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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. -
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. -
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 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 -
Officials in the women's section during the visa amnesty -
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 -
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 -
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 -
People wait to have their stay in the UAE legalised
