UAE offers amnesty for foreign workers

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has launched a three-month visa amnesty programme, hoping to resolve a Catch-22 for foreign workers fined daily for overstaying their permits but prevented from leaving until they pay the penalties.

The government hasn’t released specific numbers, but said it expects “thousands” of people, primarily labourers from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal and the Philippines, to take advantage of the amnesty up until the end of October.

“No one will stay at home while there’s a good chance to solve their problems,” predicted Major-General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, the director of Dubai’s office for residency and foreigner affairs.

Of the UAE’s estimated population of more than 9 million people, only about 12% are Emiratis.

As it stands, foreigners who overstay their visas are fined up to 100 dirhams (R356) a day, depending on the type of visa, and aren’t allowed to leave the country until the fines are paid.

As the fines mount over months and years, payment prospects become slimmer and slimmer, leaving them in limbo.

“Imagine if you’re paying 50 000 dirhams for the fine, that’s a lot of money,” said Nicholas Tolentino, who plans on returning to his native Philippines, as his paperwork was being processed.

He said before the amnesty, those stuck were often forced to take illegal jobs. “It’s a very risky move,” he said.

In Dubai, officials have said more than 25 000 people overstayed their residency visas in 2017 alone.

“These are not criminals,” Al Marri said. “We are here to support and help these people to start over again and start working.”

Centres were set up around the country to process applicants, with consular officials from many countries also on hand to help deal with passport and other issues. The Philippines was reimbursing its citizens for the nominal fees charged for exit visas and other services.

Hundreds showed up yesterday at two massive tents on the outskirts of Dubai for the first day of the programme. It’s the fifth general amnesty since 1996, and more than 60 000 people took advantage of the last one in 2013. Under the programme, all fines for overstaying visas will be forgiven. – AP