DH7 MILLION IMMIGRATION FINE ERASED
RAS AL KHAIMAH — An Arab family of seven has finally legalised its status after the immigration centre in Ras Al Khaimah waived off over Dh7 million in fines. The family has been staying in the country illegally since 1995. “I could not pay the hefty fines imposed on me and my family for overstaying. The amnesty is actually a precious chance to have some peace of mind and be legal residents,” the resident said.
RAS AL KHAIMAH — An Arab man, who has been overstaying with his family in the country since 1995, got over Dh7 million fines waived by the immigration centre in Ras Al Khaimah, thanks to the amnesty scheme.
The man, his wife, sister and his four children had been illegal residents in the UAE for 23 years. “I could not pay the hefty fines for overstaying,” he said.
“This (the amnesty) is actually a precious chance to have some peace of mind and be legal residents. This initiative reflects the UAE leadership’s passion to protect all residents here, particularly those hit by war back home.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by a Tajik woman who would be able to finally go back home without paying the huge fines. “I have long waited for this moment as I was supposed to pay fines up to Dh511,500, but this move has given me a new lease of life.”
Hundreds of applications were processed and more people are showing up to avail of the threemonth amnesty which kicked off on August 1 this year, said Brigadier Sultan Yusuf Al Nuaimi, executive director of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Ras Al Khaimah.
Records show that the immigration centre in Ras Al Khaimah has so far processed applications of over 500 illegal residents, who are mostly absconders.
“The fines quashed on Sunday (August 5) alone reached Dh13,828,710, and that shows the massive number of applications being processed,” he said. “We had to open new centres to quickly handle the growing numbers of applicants, some of who decided to amend their positions after being urged and advised by the imams of the mosques in Friday sermons.”
While most applicants had ‘absconding’ reports filed against them, such was not the case with 27-year-old Bilal Mohammed, an Arab national.
“I used to work with my Gulf employer who left the country in 2016 before starting procedures to get me a residency visa, and I could not fly back home since then.” Bilal’s boss had left the country without paying him his salary, he added. “I had to overstay my visit visa to pay my debts because I had borrowed money to travel to the UAE in 2016.”
Bilal, who used to take care of his employer’s falcons, got ‘outpass’ to leave the country as requested. “I want to go home now and join my family.”
Meanwhile, some illegal residents, who are from war-ravaged countries, said it was difficult for them to submit all the documents required by the GDRFA to get a one-year residency visa.
One of them, Abu Mohammed, said he was asked to get an attested tenancy contract, water and electricity bills, labour contract, marriage contract, birth certificate, salary certificate and passport copy.
“It is so difficult to get all these documents because of our situation, and mine is not an isolated case. This is the plight of many of our compatriots.”
Noura Saeed, another Arab illegal resident, said she was extremely excited about the amnesty. “Finally, I will be able to get married after a dragged out engagement.”
Noura could not start the due marriage procedures since she has overstayed her visit by five years. “It was so difficult for me to pay all these hefty fines, but I am no more worried now as I hope to get a residency visa.”