Amnesty needed for 500 stAff of single compAny

dubai — A Dubai-based company sought amnesty on Sunday for 500 of its workers with overstaying violations that mounted up to over Dh500,000 in fines.

Visiting Al Aweer immigration centre to appeal for the fine removal, company representative Soufianne Nimr Mustafa said the management failed to renew the visa for their workers on time due to financial difficulties.

The company management is now seeking to send some employees back home and renew the visas of others.

But since the system only allows companies to cancel visas of up to 100 workers, Mustafa was told to visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai headquarters in Al Jafiliya to apply for the 500 workers.

“The amnesty came at the right time for bu sinesses and people stuck with financial difficulties, but want to seek a better life. We cannot thank the government enough,” said Mustafa.

Al Aweer amnesty centre in Dubai witnessed crowds of residents visiting on the fifth day of

the three-month period that the UAE government had earlier announced to allow people to go home without paying overstaying fines.

Residents are also given the chance to modify their status and apply for a six-month temporary visa to search for a new job.

With most applicants being domestic workers and labourers, some violators were merely visitors who overstayed their visit visa.

One such case was Rodrigo Bernabeu from El Salvador who came to visit his family earlier this year but overstayed for three months.

After officials waived off Dh3,000 worth of fines, he was given an outpass to be validated after he visits Ajman authorities where his passport was first held.

“I wanted to leave tonight, but I was told I cannot travel before 10 days,” said Bernabeu.

Other residents were still hesitant upon visiting the centre with fears of receiving a ban. Egyptian national Amira Hussain, who overstayed for eight months after her residency visa expired, said she thought a lot before visiting the centre.

“I was afraid they will ban me from coming back, but when I was informed that no ban will be issued, I decided to come forward and modify my status,” said Hussain. However, immigration officials referred those who want to modify their status to the Amer centres. Those coming from war-torn countries can also apply for a one-year residency through Amer centre.

Al Aweer centre is primarily for those who wish to waive off their fines and return home. Eight other centres are located throughout the other emirates to allow people with an expired visa to leave or remain and look for a job. The centres run from 8am to 8pm on weekdays.

I was afraid they will ban me from coming back, but when I was informed that no ban will be issued, I decided to modify my status.”

Amira Hussain, resident

The amnesty came at the right time for businesses and people stuck with financial difficulties, but want to seek a better life.”

Soufianne Nimr Mustafa, PRO