Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai has announced confirmed centres where visa overstayers can submit their applications for the amnesty. The GDRFA confirmed on Thursday that applicants can visit any of the 86 Amer centres across Dubai, as well as the designated GDRFA center in Al Awir. The Amer centres will manage the 'change status' and other services for those who wish to stay in the country. They will also issue departure permits for those applicants with biometric fingerprints (those who have Emirati ID). Meanwhile, GDRFA’s centre in Al Awir will be the fingerprinting facility and will also issue departure permits for those who wish to leave the country. GDRFA authorities advised amnesty applicants “to obtain information only from official sources and verify information through the GDRFA call centre at 8005111, which operates 24/7". The Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) confirmed earlier that there would be no overstay fines, exit fee, and other administrative fines to be collected. The authority also confirmed that those who chose to leave the country after changing their residency status will not get an entry ban and can return to UAE with a valid visa. The amnesty programme, which will run from September 1 until October 31, will cover all types of visas, including tourist and other expired visas. Those who absconded from their sponsors and foreigners born in the UAE whose parents have not registered his or her residency within four months from the date of birth can also apply. However, those who enter the country illegally cannot apply for the amnesty. Those who overstay their residency visas after September 1 are also not eligible to apply. FLE/Expat Media
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