TLDR:
UAE extends visa amnesty
Two-month extension, waives overstay fines
Strict measures return after new deadline
ABU DHABI (The Thursday Times) — The UAE government has announced an extension of the visa amnesty programme for two more months, now running until the end of December. Thousands of overstayers have benefited from waived fines since the scheme’s inception on September 1. The announcement marks a continuation of the country’s humanitarian values as part of Union Day celebrations.
This extension offers a final opportunity for residents who have overstayed their visas to rectify their status or face fines and potential bans. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) highlighted the significant surge in applicants leading up to the original deadline of October 31. ICP Director General Maj-Gen Suhail Saeed Al Khaili commented on the increased turnout and the lenient measures’ intent to ensure that violators can settle their status without a re-entry ban.
Al Khaili linked the decision to extend with the UAE’s commitment to humanitarian principles, stressing that it also responds to appeals from those seeking to regularise their stay. Authorities emphasised the importance of utilising the final amnesty period, noting that violators risk reinstated fines and intensified inspections afterward.
The current initiative is the fourth of its kind since 2007, with previous programmes seeing similar extensions to accommodate more applicants. The 2018 amnesty, for instance, also offered a two-month extension, underlining the UAE’s approach to assist overstayers with either exiting the country or amending their residency.
The ICP reiterated the availability of multiple application channels, including ICP centres, approved typing centres, and online platforms. Overstayers are encouraged to act promptly as authorities prepare to enforce stricter measures, such as deportations and the inclusion of violators on the no-entry list. The announcement reinforces the UAE’s commitment to balancing strict immigration laws with compassionate practices, providing residents every opportunity to comply with regulations.
