UAE provides update on visa amnesty initiative

The UAE has provided an update on its upcoming visa amnesty initiative set to take place from 1 September to 30 October 2024.

Last month, authorities announced that the country will undertake a new visa amnesty programme, following its last one which happened in 2018.

The initiative aims to help residents and visitors stabilise their visa status or leave the country without penalties.

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) has announced that the amnesty covers various visa categories, including expired residencies and tourist visas, as well as undocumented individuals.

However, the ICP has stressed that those who entered the UAE illegally are not eligible. For those who comply, key benefits include the waiving of fines and fees, with an option to leave without a travel ban. Those choosing to leave will receive a 14-day departure permit. Failure to exit the country within this period will result in the reinstatement of fines and restrictions.

Family members of individuals with expired residencies can also adjust their status without facing financial or legal penalties.

To accommodate the expected demand, fingerprint centres will extend their hours until 10 pm. In a post on social network X on Wednesday, the ICP summarised how the initiative will work:

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs ,and Port Security has announced a two-month grace period starting September 1, 2024, for violators to regularize their status pic.twitter.com/OQzBvQZZfO

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) August 28, 2024

The amnesty initiative will come as a welcome reprieve for many who fallen foul of the regulations as the financial penalty for tourists or residents who overstay their visas has been standardised at Dh50 per day.