At the Al Aweer amnesty center in Dubai. GDRFA

The required passport validity to qualify for the UAE visa amnesty program has been reduced from six months to just one month, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) announced on Tuesday (September 24). Maj-Gen Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, ICP director-general, said that this change “will enable violators to amend their status without the need to renew their passports if their validity period is less than six months as was the case before the issuance of the new decision. This will allow violators to overcome the challenge related to the long period of time required to renew passports through the embassies present in the country." Al Khaili mentioned that the decision aims to motivate visa violators to regularise their status and benefit from the two-month amnesty program, which is available until October 31. Al Khaili urged violators to contact the ICP call center to ask questions and share any issues they face, so the team can review their issues and provide solutions. During this period, the ICP will waive fines and other penalties, allowing violators to regularise their residency status or leave the country with ease. For overstayers who wish to regularise their status and apply for amnesty, here's a full guide: FLE/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page