Workers want to cash in for last two months before amnesty ends

Consulates across the UAE are expecting a surge in visa amnesty applications when the deadline for the reprieve draws closer.

Diplomatic staff said many of those working in the country without valid visas were anxious to earn as much as possible before going home, so they were leaving it until the last minute.

But on Thursday, officials warned people not to miss out on the scheme.

“The feedback that I keep getting from community members is that there are more people who have yet to come in,” said Vipul, the Indian consul general in Dubai.

“We’re expecting a surge of people in October because most workers don’t want to lose out on the dirhams they can earn in two months.”

The UAE’s amnesty offers anyone who has overstayed their work or residency visa the chance to legalise their status or go home without fines.

Since the start of the threemonth programme in August, thousands have applied.

“I want to be legal, I want to work hard,” said Swaminath, 38, an Indian building worker who has not been home to see his family for two years.

Swaminath said he sent between Dh500 and Dh600 back to his family each month to help pay for his three children’s school fees in Uttar Pradesh.

He said his employer had not renewed his work visa last year and he had since been working part-time to keep earning.

Swaminath said he knew of many men who were in a similar position.

“I will try to get a good employer to hire me and work hard for another year before I go home,” he said. “I’ve a lot of responsibilities, so I need to work for my family.”

Last week, consulate officials warned applicants to reapply for a valid visa by mid-September. Those who need replacements for lost passports also need to act fast because issuing documents took time.

Official figures show 950 Indians, 400 Filipinos and 314 Sri Lankans were given exit visas during the first month of the amnesty. Thousands are expected to take advantage of the scheme before it ends on October 31.

About 150 Indians approach their consulate in Dubai each day to ask about the programme. More than 30,000 amnesty applications have been submitted in Dubai since August.

Chathura Weerasekera, a spokesman for the Sri Lankan consulate, said people wanting to apply for new visas had to do so by September 15 if they wanted to stay in the country.

“We expect the numbers of people coming in will go up next month before the deadline ends. Some people will wait until the very end. It’s because they want to keep earning before they go,” he said.

Those wanting to go home do not require a passport if it has been lost. They are given an exit permit that must be used within 10 days of issue, for Dh220.

Dhara Murali said he lived in the UAE for three years, one of them without a valid visa. The building worker said he left his first job as the wages were too low, but that he had since been able to send Dh800 a month home so his sons could continue their university studies.

“But I know some good people who will employ me now so I’m hoping my luck will change,” Mr Murali said.