Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

As September fast approaches, typing centres are bombarded with calls and enquiries from overstaying visa violators who wish to change their residency status. Earlier this month, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) announced a two-month amnesty scheme for residency visa violators in UAE which will begin on September 1 and run until October 31. During this period, the ICP will waive fines and other penalties, allowing violators to change their residency status or leave the country with ease. Though they have an idea of how the process will go, service centres could not say much about the procedures as they are yet to receive official instructions from the authorities. While waiting for these instructions, immigration advisors and social workers have used the time to raise awareness and encourage visa violators to take advantage of the amnesty. They emphasised that officials have confirmed that visa violators will not face any ban once their status is changed and can freely return to UAE at any time. However, they have to secure a residency visa or an offer letter from a UAE company before leaving the country. Those who wish to regularise their residency status can approach typing centres starting September 1 to submit their applications. FLE/Expat Media
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