Three-month amnesty begins today
THOUSANDS EXPECTED TO TAKE OPPORTUNITY TO BENEFIT FROM UNPRECEDENTED AND ATTRACTIVE OPTIONS
Thousands of foreign workers living illegally in the UAE are expected to regularise their residency status during the country’s fifth general amnesty that offers unprecedented and attractive options beginning today.
Officials reviewed preparations countrywide yesterday for the three-month initiative that aims to make ‘Emirates free from violators’. Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashedi, Director of Residency Affairs at the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, said: “This is a great opportunity for illegal residents to rectify their status legally or leave the country without paying fines.”
In Dubai yesterday, officials of 43 Amer and Tahseel centres gathered in General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs headquarters to review the preparations.
These centres will receive applicants who want to regularise their residency status to remain in the country.
During this amnesty, the government is offering several unprecedented options which were not available during the previous amnesty periods.
The country had announced general amnesty on four occasions — 1993, 2003, 2007 and 2012 — and the amnesty starting today under the theme ‘Protect yourself by rectifying your status’ will end on October 31.
On earlier occasions, overstayers who found a new job were allowed to regularise their status, but absconders had to leave the country with an entry ban. This time, however, absconders also can get their case removed from the system and move to a new visa, provided they have a new job offer. This major relief is also extended to former residents who left the country with a ban. No other amnesty in the past offered any benefit to former residents. In another major initiative, the government has announced a liberal policy for jobseekers who violated the residency laws.
The government will give them a six-month temporary visa to hunt for a job.