Now, they can live without the fear of getting caught

I never had peace of mind and was hiding all the time from public places and departments for fear that I might be detained by authorities at any time.”

Ibrahim Ismael, Egyptian

I have a bachelor degree in law, but I had to work as a security man at a salary of Dh800. I could not even transfer any money to my family.”

Akram Mohammed, Syrian

Failing to get treatment at good hospitals or medical centres was one of the main disadvantages we have been through that bad time.”

Mohammed Sulaiman, Pakistani

ajman/ umm al quwain/ ras al khaimah — The ongoing amnesty does not only mean a new chapter in the life and career of illegal residents, but more importantly the end of five major concerns.

The biggest concern they can overcome is the unending fear of being held, deported and banned from entering the country again, according to 33-year-old Egyptian expatriate Ibrahim Ismael.

“I know how it feels to be an illegal resident as I overstayed my visit visa in Ajman by three years.”

It means an unstable life, he added. “I never had peace of mind and was hiding all the time from public places and departments for fear that I might be held at any time.”

Urging all illegal residents to avail of this amnesty, 30-year-old Akram Mohammed, Syrian, said he could not have a proper work during his two-year overstay in Umm Al Quwain. “I have a bachelor degree in law, but I had to work as a security man at a salary of Dh800 only per month. I could not even transfer any money to my family back home.

“I had nothing to do with this kind of job, but had no other option to survive,” he pointed out.

Mohammed Sulaiman, 55-yearold Pakistani foreman, said he was a legal resident for three years since he arrived in the country in 2010. “I could not pay the fees for issuing residence visas for my wife, two daughters and two sons in Ras Al Khaimah.”

During his five-year overstay, Sulaiman could not seek a suitable treatment for him or his family members. “Failing to get treatment at good hospitals or medical centres was one of the main disadvantages we have been through that bad time.”

Indian national Amir Reza came to the country three years ago on a visit visa after getting a fake job offer. However, he decided to stay back in the country as he could not return home empty-handed.