CHANGE STATUS NOW TO AVOID PAYING HEFTY FINES LATER
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai on Wednesday urged visa violators to modify their status within the three-month amnesty period, to avoid paying fines for overstaying.
If applicants fail to completely legalise their stay in the country by October 31, they will not be considered amnesty-seekers anymore, and will have to pay their full overstaying fines.
“Violations apply starting from the visa cancellation date. So if someone cancels their visa and fails to modify status, they will be subject to a Dh25 fine a day for residency violations and Dh100 for entry permits violation,” said Brigadier-General Khalaf Ahmed Al Ghaith, assistant director-general of follow-up sector of violators and foreigners at the GDRFA.
“Please make sure you finish your application to avoid paying fines. Take the opportunity of having an amnesty to issue a legal residency in the country,” he added.
Also on Wednesday, the GDRFA officials in Dubai said that over the first week of the ‘Protect Yourself By Modifying Yourself’ amnesty programme that started on August 1, they have received 10,797 applications and tens of millions worth of visa-related fines have been waived off so far.
Over the first week of the initiative, Amer centres processed 5,500 transactions, among which 3,422 visas were renewed and 2,107 new sponsored visas were issued. However, 2,809 people cancelled their visas without going forward with their applications.
Al Ghaith said: “We get a lot of cases where people cancel their residency without requesting for an outpass to return home or modifying their status in the country. After the cancellation, amnesty-seekers must make a new application either for an outpass or visa renewal.”
He reminded that outpasses issued as part of the amnesty programme are valid for 21 days.
Al Ghaith also urged amnesty-seekers to make proper use of the initiative and submit right application as some people visit immigration centres to request for an outpass, and then come back requesting for a status modification.
“Every case is treated upon request. Amnesty-seekers should determine the goal they want from the amnesty centre — whether it’s visa cancellation or modifying status — before applying,” said Al Ghaith.
He emphasised that officials will offer support to whoever approach the residency department to legalise their status in the country.
Officials reported that 2,459 people visited Al Aweer immigration centre to legalise their status without having to pay overstaying fines.
First departure on August 11
Brig-Gen Al Ghaith told Khaleej
that the first departure under an outpass issued during the amnesty will be on August 11. “If an outpass was issued on August 1, it will take 10 days to activate. Therefore, the first departure will be on August 11.”
Al Ghaith added that majority of applications received were of people who sought to modify their status and have another opportunity to gain a better job.
General reasons behind overstaying violations included financial difficulties, failure to complete certain applications or global circumstances that occurred back home and impacted their stay in the UAE.
“Sometimes it was just neglect from people who didn’t finish their papers on time,” said Al Ghaith.
“Our doors are open to everyone who needs help overcoming a certain crisis. We encourage people to visit the centre here to modify status, while receiving our full support to finish their application,” he said.
Al Ghaith urged applicants to avoid bringing children under 18 to immigration centres in attempts to maintain their well-being. “We want to keep them away from this atmosphere, but they’re most welcomed if they choose to visit,” said Al Ghaith.
Facilities for applicants
The Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) has deployed one ambulance at Al Aweer immigration centre and a clinic with two paramedics to look after fatigue cases.
“So far, we treated eight cases of fatigue, sun stroke and breathing problems,” said Mishal Abdulkarim Julfar from the DCAS. “We also cover emergencies at Amer centres and offer on-spot aid.”
The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has designated a bus line to transport commuters to and from Al Aweer immigration centre. Five buses, with one bus each hour, operate to pick up commuters from populated areas including the Dubai Gold Souq, Dubai Airport terminal 1, Dnata building, Mushrif Park, Al Khawaneej health centre and Al Rashidiya metro station.
Buses has so far helped 1,000 commuters, with a cost of Dh7.5 a ride. Taxis are also provided through requests with the Dubai Taxi Corporation.
Meanwhile, the Dubai Civil Defence also ensured extinguishers are available on site, with firefighters on standby in cases of emergencies.