>> Sponsor helps maid rectify status
Many workers are scared to approach their employers, so the sponsors must come forward to hand over the passports.” Brig Ahmed Ali Al Sagiri, acting executive director, GDRFA-Fujairah
Services have been completely digitalised and all updates are now transferred to the systems immediately.” Col Ali Amin Mohammed, director of amnesty centres and establishments, GDRFA-Sharjah
fujairah — The Emirati sponsor of the Ethiopian maid who absconded six years ago Ahmed Ali Rashid Al Zayoudi, was honoured by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs — Fujairah (GDRFA) for handing over her passport and helping to rectify her situation.
“This proves that citizens are interacting with the amnesty initiative and extending their hand to support the authorities in achieving its goals,” said Brig Ahmed Ali Al Sagiri, acting executive director of the GDRFA-Fujairah.
While there is a heavy turnout of amnesty-seekers at Fujairah, majority of them had come to inquire about their passports as they have fled from their sponsors, he noted.
“Cooperation from the Emirati sponsors is vital to makeing the amnesty initiative a success. It will require them to hand over documents of absconding workers under their sponsorship. Many workers are scared to approach their employers, so the sponsors must come forward to present the passports,” said Brig Al Sagiri.
In a unique case, a team from the GDRFA-Fujairah completed the formalities of an 80-year-old Asian woman by a hospital bedside in the emirate. She had been violating the residency laws since 2005. The authorities were contacted by her relatives back home.
“The GDRFA-Fujairah is ready to provide the amnesty-seekers the best of services and reach out to them if their circumstances do not allow them to come to us. Humanitarian circumstances will be given priority,” said Brig Al Sagiri.
No 10-day wait in two emirates
Amnesty seekers in Sharjah and Fujairah will be able to leave the country on the same day, clarified the authorities from both emirates. Brig Al Sagiri explained that previously the seeker had to wait for 10 days to exit the country as there were paperwork to be completed from the Ministry of Interior (MoI).
“Services have been completely digitalised and all updates are now transferred to the systems immediately,” Col Ali Amin Mohammed, director of amnesty centres and establishments department at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) Sharjah, told Khaleej Times.
“Earlier, the amnesty-seekers had to wait for 10 days for the activation of their permits as it was done manually.”
However, the amnesty-seekers have a period of 21 days to depart from the country, he added. If an emergency occurs and they exceed that period, they may come to us with the necessary documents to deal with the situation.”
According to the immigration officials in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah, a 10-day wait is necessary before travel, adding that “even regular or normal visa applications take time”.
They added that the waiting time may vary depending on the case. “Some people can have everything done before the time frame, while others may need more time,” said Col Khalid Yousef bin Hudibah, executive director of GDRFAUmm Al Quwain.
In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, officials had stipulated on Thursday that a 10-day wait before travel is necessary.