Jailed visa offenders can win reprieve as part of amnesty

People held in detention centres will be allowed an exit pass to close their case

Dr Ali Humaid bin Khatam, senior advocate general at Dubai Public Prosecution. Photo: Ali Al Shouk

People jailed or detained for visa offences can benefit from the UAE amnesty, a senior official has said, with a view to letting them leave the country.

Dr Ali Humaid bin Khatam, senior advocate general and head of naturalisation and residency prosecution for Dubai Public Prosecution, also said those who have arrest warrants issued against them are eligible.

“Detainees under investigation for absconding or overstaying can apply for amnesty,” Dr Khatam told The National.

“We have directions from Dubai’s Attorney General to help violators and help them with the process.

“The detainees will be allowed to go to amnesty centres to get an exit pass without paying overstaying fines or facing legal consequences.”

Once their paperwork is finalised, they must return to the detention centre where they were placed to allow prosecutors to close their case.

However, this will not apply to those caught by the authorities after September 1, when the two-month amnesty began. Even visa overstayers who have been issued arrest warrants will be allowed to benefit from the amnesty “without fear”, Dr Khatam said.

Detainees will be allowed to go to amnesty centres to get an exit pass without paying overstaying fines or facing legal consequences

Dr Ali Humaid bin Khatam,
Dubai Public Prosecution

He urged detainees to use the amnesty to return to their home countries. “It’s a unique opportunity for all nationalities. Don’t wait until the last day of the amnesty,” he said.

However, those who entered the country illegally or have deportation cases from GCC countries cannot apply for amnesty. Serious criminal offenders and those with unresolved legal disputes not covered under the amnesty are not eligible. It only applies to those who have overstayed their visa, or absconded from their sponsors. Children born without documentation are also eligible. However, those caught with similar breaches after September 1 cannot apply for amnesty.

Officials have confirmed that those leaving the country during the amnesty will not result in an entry ban and those who successfully obtain an amnesty can return to the UAE. The initiative will deliver a crucial lifeline to those who have amassed fines, totalling tens of thousands of dirhams in some instances.

According to UAE law, the penalty for overstaying a visa is calculated at Dh50 ($13.60) a day for tourists and residents. In Abu Dhabi, Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) centres in Al Dhafra, Sweihan, Al Maqam and Al Shahamah, as well as typing centres recognised by the authority will process documents.

In Dubai, people can approach 86 Amer service centres across the emirate or Al Awir Centre. People who arrived in the UAE on a visit visa have been asked to approach the ICP centres to collect fingerprint scans.

On the first day of the initiative, more than 1,000 people applied in Dubai to change their status or leave the country.

UAE visa amnesty – 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

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