The UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) has announced a two-month visa amnesty program offering discounted flight tickets to illegal residents wishing to leave the country.
The initiative, in collaboration with major airlines including Emirates, Etihad, and Air Arabia, aims to ease the financial burden on those who have overstayed their visas or violated immigration regulations.
Maj-Gen Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, deputy director-general of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, confirmed that the program will run from September 1 to October 30, 2024. He emphasized that the discounted airfare is available to residents facing financial constraints who wish to depart the UAE under the amnesty.
The amnesty covers a broad range of visa violations, including expired tourist and residency visas. It also extends to individuals born without documentation and those who have absconded from their sponsors. However, individuals who entered the country illegally are not eligible for the program.
Residents opting for the amnesty will not face overstay fines, exit fees, or entry bans, allowing them to return to the UAE in the future with the appropriate visa. The ICP has coordinated with airlines to offer reduced ticket prices, which have been positively received by the airlines involved.
To obtain an exit permit, individuals with biometric records can apply online, while those without must visit designated centers for fingerprinting. ICP centers across the UAE, including in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and other emirates, are prepared to facilitate the process.
The exit pass issued under this program is valid for 14 days. Residents must leave the country within this grace period to avoid the reimposition of previous fines and restrictions. The ICP encourages all eligible residents to take advantage of the amnesty to regularize their status and exit the UAE without facing long-term penalties.
News Source: Khaleej Times
