UAE Central Bank caps mortgages at 50% of property value for expatsand 70% for Emiratis

In a move apparently aimed at eliminating speculators from the real estate market, the UAE’s Central Bank has decided to direct banks in the country to cap mortgage lending for expatriates at 50 per cent of the property’s value.
According to banking and real estate sources, mortgages for expatriates are being limited to 50 per cent of the property’s value for their first property, and 40 per cent for the second unit.
For UAE nationals, the rate will be slashed to 70 per cent for the first property and 60 per cent for the second unit.
A number of banks that  they were yet to analyse the circular from the UAE Central Bank and were therefore not in a position to comment on the move.
It said the new rules would be enforced at the start of 2013, adding that the Central Bank gave no reason for the decision.
Nevertheless, the Central Bank has been locked in a drive to bolster the country’s financial sector following the 2008 global fiscal distress and regional debt default crises that jolted many local banks.
In May 2011, the Central Bank enforced new rules on retail lending, capping personal loans at 20 times a borrower’s monthly salary and stipulating that the loan must be repaid within 48 months.
Those regulations covered all retail loans including personal, auto, housing loans and credit credits, and were aimed at controlling lending activity and excessive charges by banks following public complaints about a surge in bank fees.
According to Central Bank statistics, however, mortgage lending has not seen a major spike in recent months. The latest available data for August 2012 shows that real estate loans issued by UAE banks stood at Dh162.6 billion, marginally lower than the Dh163.2 billion registered at the end of 2010.
This means that, in effect, mortgages have stagnated at this level for 18 months. The Central Bank’s move, in such a scenario, is being looked at as a proactive one rather than a reactive one, aimed at ensuring that the country’s banks’ non-performing loans do not see a repeat of the spike that they saw after the 2008/09 global economic slowdown.
Banks in the country have seen specific provisions for NPLs surge by over 47 per cent since the end of 2010 – from Dh44.3bn at the end of December 2010 to Dh65.3 in October 2012.
Before this directive was issued, there was no official cap on the percentage of mortgage lending and each bank was free to decide the loan-to-value ratio that they offered.
Under the new guidelines, however, UAE nationals seeking mortgages must pay 30 per cent of the property value as a first instalment for the first unit and 40 per cent for the other units, ‘Emarat Al Youm’ daily said, citing the Central Bank circular to banks.
The new rules are expected to directly impact speculators, who might be targeting a resurgent property market in the UAE in general and Dubai in particular.
These new rules will make ‘flipping’ of properties much more difficult and ensure that a property bubble is not created.
The report said the new rules stipulated that banks would pay a maximum 70 per cent for the first property and 60 per cent for the remaining units for each Emirati customer.
“This means that banks must pay a maximum 60 per cent of the property value for expatriates receiving a mortgage loan,” the report said.
The new rules come amidst a steady recovery in the real estate sector in the second largest Arab economy, with the shares of most property firms rising in 2012.
The UAE has said it is considering joining Saudi Arabia, the largest Arab economy, in enacting a mortgage law to regulate the real estate sector, which was severely jolted in the wake of the 2008 global fiscal distress.

No criminal case for bounced security cheques in UAE courts -Ruling covers expats and Emiratis

UAE courts have stopped accepting cheques submitted by banks as a criminal tool against debt defaulters in line with new instructions by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the semi-official daily Alittihad reported on Monday.

The instructions had first benefited Emirati defaulters before courts were told last month to apply the same rule on expatriate debtors, the paper said.

Quoting Jassim Bu Aseeba, Director of the Judicial Inspection Division at the Ministry of Justice, the Arabic language paper said banks have been told that federal courts would no longer accept cheques presented to them by expatriates against a loan.

“All federal courts in the UAE have started to enforce the presidential instructions to stop accepting cheques presented by banks as criminal tools against expatriates as is the case with Emirati defaulters,” Bu Aseeba said.

“For this reason, the public prosecutor has released all those jailed because of those cheques. Many Emiratis were already released in October.”

The paper quoted another official as saying federal courts have stopped accepting all cheques presented to them by banks and all other financial firms.

“These cheques are no longer sufficient to put a defaulter in prison. They are not a criminal tool any more,” said Ali Khalfan Al Dahiri, director of the legal affairs department at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

“The decision is in line with the President’s directives to achieve justice for all residents including Emiratis and expatriates. The decision was enforced last month and all federal courts now enforce the same rule on both Emiratis and expatriates. There is no discrimination in the enforcement of these rules,” he added.

The paper also quoted banking officials as confirming cheques are no longer considered as a criminal tool but that they can be used by banks to prove they are owed money by debtors.

“Banks are still presenting cheques given to them by debtors only as documents proving their rights, including the loan and interest,” one source said. “But these cheques are no longer enough to arrest defaulters and convict them.”

Legal adviser Dr Mustafa El-Sherbini said that this does not mean the rights of the creditor are compromised, but it entitles the creditor to go to the civil court to claim dues.

Banking sources told the paper that banks have also stopped using security cheques as a criminal tool, but continued to request they be submitted as part of documentation for loans.

The report quoted sources as saying that this ruling only covers security cheques and that cheques submitted towards monthly, quarterly and other fixed-term payments can be used to file a criminal case if they are not honoured.

No further grace periods for Residency visa violators in UAE - prosecuted from February 4

 Abu Dhabi: People with expired residency visas will be fined and prosecuted from February 4, a statement by the Ministry of Interior said, adding that no further grace periods or exceptions will be made.

Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, Acting Director General of Naturalisation, Residency and Ports Affairs, said that the ministry is currently dealing with residency violators to ease procedures for their voluntary departure from the country during the amnesty.

Al Rashidi ensured that services are available to allow violators to benefit from the grace period by visiting residency departments across the UAE to obtain outpasses and leave the country without penalties.

The official also urged violators not to wait until amnesty’s final day to submit their papers.In a previous statement, Major General Nasser Awadi Al Menhali, Assistant Undersecretary for Naturalisation, Residency and Ports Affairs, said that amnesty, approved by the Cabinet in April, covers only those who overstayed their visit or resident visas, but not infiltrators, who he said will be treated like criminals.

Earlier, Al Menhali added that residents who overstayed their visas can come forward with their passports and air tickets to obtain an outpass, get their fines waived, and leave the country.Passports withheld by residency department in absconding cases will also be handed over to their holders, he said.

Best Rent options for moving out from sharing accommodation in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman

Now the confusion on whether to provide tenancy contracts and utility bills across the UAE to get the residence visa renewed is over, families living in shared accommodation will have to look out to rent an apartment.
 International City or Dubai Academic City, where rents for a studio apartment range between Dh17,500 and Dh19,000, it may still exceed the budget of those earning a minimum Dh4,000 per month salary, the only alternative is to move to the Northern Emirates. Moreover, if the family has one earning member (his spouse isn’t working), then those earning the minimum salary of Dh4,000 pm can find the best alternatives in Sharjah or Ajman, where a studio apartment is available for less than Dh850 a month (read: only rent). The apartment size could vary between 350 and 400 square feet.

Sharjah, however, allows three people to share a studio apartment, but there is no such limit yet applicable in Ajman.

A salaried individual in the UAE can sponsor his family provided he earns a minimum salary of Dh4,000 per month (pm) and has his own accommodation, or earns Dh3,000 pm with company accommodation.

KK Ashraf and his family share a three bedroom apartment in Karama, Dubai, with two other family. He says he currently is paying Dh1,700 per month in rent.

“We have been sharing the apartment with my friend’s family for the past three years. Previously, we were sharing a villa in Al Rashidiya. We were never asked for a rent contract. I am a bit confused about whether to move to Sharjah and save on rent, or pay more than 35 per cent of my salary for housing in Dubai.”

Usman Ali, who shares an apartment in Bur Dubai, says he moved to Dubai to avoid the peak hour traffic of Sharjah. He pays Dh2,000 per month for the shared accommodation.

“I know I can get a one-bed apartment in Sharjah. I moved here as I work close by. Our only hope to stay in Bur Dubai totally depends on the authorities as you don’t know they might reconsider their decision again,” he mentions.

On Tuesday, Major General Nassir Al Minhali, the Ministry’s assistant undersecretary for naturalization and residence, confirmed that expatriate applicants must produce a tenancy contract for the renewal of their visas

The new rule is intended to allow authorities to locate their residence as “addresses given in previous applications are not clear or accurate.”

He said those sharing accommodation must also present proof of their residence by submitting a tenancy contract or utility bill in their names.
“The decision is not targeting any party or property group but it will serve those departments seeking accurate data about foreigners’ residences…this measure is not exclusive for the UAE as it is enforced in all advanced countries.”
So if you are looking for a house, here are the best (cheapest) alternatives for families:

Sharjah

• -Studio and one bed apartment in Rolla : Dh10,000 to Dh14,000 pa
• -Studio apartment in Al Qulaya: Dh15,000 pa
• -Studio apartment in Al Taawun area: Dh19,000 pa
• -One bed unit in Al Mina Road: Dh17,000 pa
• -Studio apartment on Al Wahda Road: Dh13,000 pa
• -Studio, one bed units in Al Buteena: Dh13,000 to Dh17,000 pa

Ajman

• -Studio, one bed units in Falcon Tower: Dh13,000 to Dh16,000 pa
• -Studio apartments in Al Naemiyah: Dh10,000 pa
• -Studio, one bed units in Horizon Tower: Dh12,000 to Dh15,000 pa

Dubai

• -Studio apartments in Skycourts: Dh18000-22,000 pa
• -Studio apartments in Deira: Dh20,000 pa
• -Studio apartments in International City: Dh17,500 to Dh19,000 pa
• -Studio apartments in Dubai Academic City: Dh18,000 pa
• -Studio apartments in IMPZ: Dh17,000 pa

New Year's Day paid UAE holiday for pvt, govt sectors

Humaid Al Qatami, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources today issued a circular stating that January 1, 2013 - New Year's Day -  will be a holiday in the UAE.

Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Labour, has also issued a decision that designates Tuesday, January 1 2013 as a paid holiday for the private sector in the UAE. Work will resume on Wednesday, January 2.

All ministries and departments of the Federal State government will remain closed on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 and resume work the next day, Wednesday, January 2, 2013.

On this occasion Al Qatami offered his deepest congratulations and blessings to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and to their brethren, members of the Supreme Council of Rulers, asking God Almighty to grant them good health and wellness.

Al Qatami also congratulated citizens and residents of the United Arab Emirates on this happy occasion.

Schedule of fees payable applications for passport and travel documents of Indians

Sl. No.	Particulars of application	Scale of fees
		Normal Fee			Tatkaal fee (inclusive of normal fee)
				AED			AED
1	2			3			4
I.  PASSPORT--
1.	For issue of ordinary fresh passport or reissue of Passport  containing 36 pages having validity of ten years (also applicable to minors in the age group of fifteen to eighteen years)			285			855
2.	For issue of ordinary fresh passport or reissue of passport  containing 60 pages having validity of ten years (also applicable to minors in the age group of fifteen to eighteen years)			380			950
3.	For issue of ordinary fresh passport or reissue of passport of 36 pages for minors below eighteen years of age with validity of five years or till the minor attains the age of eighteen years, whichever is earlier			190			760
4.	For issue of fresh or reissue of India-Bangladesh Passport or Passport for any other named foreign country with a maximum validity of ten years			190			NA
5.	Replacement of passport of 36 pages having validity of ten years for changes in personal particulars			285			855
6.	Replacement of passport of 60 pages having validity of ten years for changes in personal particulars			380			950
7.	Replacement of passport of 36 pages for changes in personal particulars for minors below the age of eighteen years with validity of five years or till the minor attains the age of eighteen years, whichever is earlier			190			760
8.	Replacement of passport of 36 pages having validity of ten years for deletion of Emigration Check Required stamp			285			NA
9.	Replacement of passport of 60 pages having validity of ten years for deletion of Emigration Check Required stamp			380			NA
II.  SPECIAL TRAVEL DOCUMENT--
10.	Emergency Certificate			60			NA
11.	Certificate of Identity			190			NA
12.	Additional ordinary passport containing 36 pages for any country with initial validity up to one year			285			NA
III.  MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES--
13.	Issue of Police Clearance Certificate or Surrender Certificate or any other miscellaneous certificates based on the Passport			95			NA
IV.  PASSPORTS IN LIEU OF LOST, DAMAGED OR STOLEN--
14.	For replacement of ordinary passport of 36 pages in lieu of lost, damaged or stolen passport			570			1140
15.	For replacement of ordinary passport of 60 pages in lieu of lost, damaged or stolen passport			665			1235

How an individual can be deported while facing travel ban

Judge Ahmed Ibrahim Saif from Dubai Court

Judge Ahmed Ibrahim Saif said an individual is deported when the court issues an order of deportation against him and this rule becomes final and enforceable.

He added that if the accused has exhausted all appeals, as happens mostly in drug and sexual assault-related cases, it leads to deportation.

He pointed out that individuals are banned from travelling when any party fails to honour their commitment. For example, fails to pay debt to individual or bank.

In cases where the creditor opens a lawsuit against the debtor before the court, in such a case the creditor is entitled to request the judge to prevent the debtor from traveling.

He added that in case all the travel ban conditions were met (such as the fear of the debtor fleeing from the country), the judge may issue a ban to stop the debtor from traveling.

In such a scenario, the debtor’s passport is taken away and the name of the debtor is included on the travel ban list.

Special committee set up for such cases:

Judge Ahmed Ibrahim Saif disclosed that the Federal Committee and the local committee have faced such dilemma where the clauses of the Federal Procedures Act stressed on the establishment of a panel to adjudicate the problem.

Due to the presence of local courts in Dubai, in 2007 a new committee known as the Committee of Deportation and Travel Bans was established to deal with such cases.

He added that the committee consists of the chairman, two senior police officers and two judges.

He pointed out that the committee holds two monthly meetings and the second meeting is always set aside for decision-making.

The Committee intervenes when:

The committee intervenes after the person who has received both the orders completes his prison term and it is time for him/her to be deported.

In such a case, the sentenced person has to submit a petition to the prison administration and the matter is transferred to the committee for consideration.

The standards followed by the Committee:

There are legalities involved in the implementation of deportation if a creditor requests the imprisoned person to be banned from travelling.

The other conditions to be taken into account in such a situation is the value of the claimed amount and the extent of benefit to be accrued by allowing the person (debtor/accused) to stay on in the UAE.

Communication with the committee:

The prisoners communicate with the committee through the legal measures where they can submit a petition to the prison administration, then meet with members of the committee.

The meeting involves discussion on the possibility of making a settlement with the creditors to repay the debts, or through an agreement concluded between one of his siblings, and between the creditor.

Creditors not serious:
Judge Ahmed Ibrahim Saif disclosed, “Many of the creditors who opened files against the debtors to ban them from travelling are not serious in pursuing their claims.”

He added that while applying for travel bans, they submit documents which confirm their rights, but after receiving decision in their favor, they do not follow up on the necessary procedures.

He added these measures are there so that they can recover their money. In order to claim what is rightfully theirs, they need to open a file to recover their debt during a period of 8 days set by law, or open a file to implement the travel ban, within a period of 30 days specified by law from the date of issuance of the ban of travel.

He said that such negligence by the creditors compels the committee to support deportation of the accused.

Recommendations:

Judge appeals to Emiratis and residents to abide by the law and to communicate with the creditor, and attend the meetings of the civil cases filed against them, so as not to get tangled in a similar case

Indian convicts in UAE can serve their jail terms in Indian prisons

The UAE Cabinet has approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with India for extraditing Indian convicts so that they can serve their remaining jail terms in Indian prisons.

More than a thousand Indian prisoners are expected to benefit from the deal which was signed by the two countries in 2010.

However, the deal doesn’t include prisoners imprisoned for financial crimes. “If such offenders are transferred to India, who will ensure that the pending payments are cleared? It can create complications,” said K Kumar of Indian Community Welfare Committee (ICWC), a welfare body functioning under the auspices of the Indian Embassy in the UAE.

“There are about 500 plus Indian prisoners in Dubai alone. The number would exceed 1,000 if all the other emirates are taken into consideration,” added Kumar. ICWC frequently conducts prison visits across the country.

According to him, prisoners who are liable to pay Diya (blood money paid as compensation to accident victims) may not also be transferred to India.

Earlier, prisoners had expressed apprehension about moving to Indian prisons due to their substandard facilities.

“Most prisoners are of the opinion that jails in the UAE are far better than those in India. For many others, a transfer to Indian prisons would also mean exposing themselves to family and relatives back home. In many cases family members and relatives may not have been informed about their crime and prison sentence. A transfer to India would make them more vulnerable,” said Kumar.

“According to the MoU only those prisoners who are willing to be transferred to India would be sent back,” he added.

Philippines sets minimum salary for maids going to UAE

The Philippines has set tough terms for sending domestic workers to the UAE as is the case in Saudi Arabia, stipulating its maids must be paid not less than $400 a month and must have at least eight hours break every day.

The Philippine embassy in Abu Dhabi conveyed its government’s terms to private labour recruitment agents in the UAE during a recent meeting in the capital, warning that any agent violating those terms would be put on the blacklist.

Reacting to such a decision, UAE authorities said they would not accept such terms and stressed that domestic workers from any country must be recruited in accordance with the official work contract enforced by the UAE government.

Quoted participants in that meeting, the Arabic language daily Emirat Alyoum said the Philippine embassy told them they must abide by the new regulations or they would be boycotted and banned from handling domestic workers from the Philippines.

“The embassy set the minimum wage for a Philippine maid at $400 (Dh1,470) a month and told labour recruitment agents in the UAE that any office which does not comply with these rules would be completely boycotted,” the paper said.

It said the embassy asked those agents to notify it once a Philippine maid arrives in the UAE to take up a job so it will hand her the necessary documents.

“The embassy also stressed that employers must provide a separate room for the maid and that she must have a daily break of at least eight hours.

"It also stressed that the maid should not be assigned any work outside her employer’s residence which is listed in the job contract and that the employer must allow her to contact the embassy or her family at home at any time,” the paper said.

Other conditions include that employers are not allowed to renew the maid’s contract or transfer her sponsorship to any other employer without a prior consent by the embassy.

“Sponsors violating those terms will be subject to penalties defined in the laws governing the hiring of Philippine domestic workers,” it said. “In case they refuse to pay her the salary set in the new contract, the maid will be deported to her country.”

According to Emirat Alyoum, the maid must be aged between 18 and 23 years and any company violating that limit would be blacklisted.

“Any agreement signed by a foreign embassy in the UAE is not legal,” the paper said, quoting Major General Nassir al Minhali, UAE interior ministry assistant undersecretary for naturalization and residence affairs.

“The ministry of interior has a unified job contract for domestic workers coming to the UAE with well defined terms and duties. It guarantees the rights of the employers and the employees…we have not set any wage for domestic workers and any otherwise agreement will not be binding for any one.”

The Philippines, one of the largest domestic workers suppliers to the oil-rich Gulf, has been locked in negotiations with Saudi Arabia to enforce similar terms for its maids working in the Gulf Kingdom. The negotiations followed a decision by Manila to halt the travel of its domestic workers to Saudi Arabia two years ago.

Illegal residents will be granted exit permits to leave the country — with all fines waived

Thousands of illegal immigrants are expected to flock to centers across the country as the 60-day visa amnesty begins on today.

Violators of the country’s residency law can visit a centre in each Emirate to start the departure process — which will see them leave the country with no ban or overstaying fines to pay.

General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs (GDRFA) officials confirmed illegal residents will be granted exit permits to leave the country — with all fines waived — upon visiting one of the 10 centres across the country.

Those applying for amnesty will have fingerprints and iris scans taken to ensure there are no pending criminal cases against them.

“The amnesty will start today and will last for 60 days, giving time for all illegal residents and visitors to leave the country without penalties,” officials said.

Last month Gulf News reported how Major General Nasser Awadi Al Menhali, assistant undersecretary for Naturalisation, Residency and Ports Affairs, announced the amnesty, detailing how illegal residents will be allowed to leave the UAE without penalty.

As many as 342,000 illegal immigrants took advantage of the last amnesty declared in 2007.

Around 300,000 illegal immigrants left the country under the second amnesty which ran between January and April, 2002.

In 1996, about 200,000 illegal residents left the country under a six-month amnesty.

Residency law violators should take their passport and an air ticket to their home country to any of the 10 amnesty centres across the emirates.

Officials have emphasised there is no need to approach the residency department where the original residency or visit visa was issued.

Those without passports — if they have been lost or stolen — will receive assistance from the residency department to obtain out-passes from their consulates or embassies.

Anyone with outstanding absconding cases against them, where their passport is held at a residency department, will be given back their passport in order to leave the country.

In cases where violators cannot afford an air ticket, they will receive support either in the form of liquidating their bank guarantee deposited at the Ministry of Labour, or where no guarantee exists, they will be helped by the authority on humanitarian grounds.

An official added: “For those violators who wish to stay in the UAE but who have allowed their residency to expire, overstaying fines must be paid in order to legalise residency status.”

In Dubai, those wishing to take advantage of the amnesty grace period can approach the Directorate to follow up on violations and foreigner affairs in Al Aweer from 8am until 8pm, except during holidays.

Colonel Mohammad Alwan, director of the GDRFA in Ajman, told Gulf News illegal residents in Ajman can approach the centre in Al Jurf area — close to the Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs where a special tent has been set up.

Brigadier Dr Abdullah Sahoo, director of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Sharjah, said: “In order for illegal immigrants to have their exit permits issued, they can approach the Sharjah residency department headquarters in Al Jawazat Area.

“They need to bring an air ticket, passport or out-passes from their consulates.”

People wishing to take advantage of the amnesty can call the toll free number, 800 5111, for enquiries and information on the required documents and how to apply.

Exemption from six month Labour ban

 I have an MBA degree. I worked as a PRO with a company here for three months on a Secretary Visa. My company asked me to resign without any pre-notice grace period during the probation period. Is this right? Would I be liable to six-month ban? How may I avoid that?

During probation period, both employee and employer can terminate the contract. Therefore, it is valid for your employer to terminate the contract. Under the UAE law, if an employee leaves a job without completing two years, then the Ministry of Labour will impose a work ban for six months or for one year if it is imposed by the employer, during which time the individual is not allowed to work in the UAE. However, the Ministry the Cabinet Resolution No 25 of 2010 regarding internal work permit at the Ministry of Labour exempts the following three categories from the ban:

    In order to remove the ban, an employee must prove qualifications by presenting a duly attested educational certificate as mentioned herein 

(i) If an employee holds a university degree (Master’s), and earns a minimum salary of Dh12,000 per month; (ii) If an employee holds a diploma (post secondary) and earns a minimum salary of Dh7,000 per month; and (iii) If an employee has passed high school and earns a minimum salary of Dh5,000 per month.

    The contract is terminated due to the employer’s violation of legal and labour obligations towards the worker, or in case the worker has no role in terminating the work relationship.
    The employee is transferred to another company the employer owns or has shares in. Since, you are a Master’s degree holder and do not have any role in the termination of your contract, a six-month ban should not be applicable to you.

Indian expatriates can avail upcoming amnesty through 14 outsourced service centres of the Indian missions

Indian expatriates wishing to avail of the benefit of the upcoming amnesty in the UAE will be facilitated through 14 outsourced service centres of the Indian missions.

The announcement was made by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

The passport and visa service centres run by BLS International will collect the applications for the emergency travel certificate known as ‘outpass’, with several centres located across various emirates.

These centres will accept outpass applications during normal working hours from 8am to 6.30pm during the amnesty period of December 4 to February 3, 2013.

Those who have valid passports may approach local immigration authorities directly for regularisation of stay or exit formalities, the embassy said. Applicants for outpass will need to pay Dh60 for the emergency certificate plus Dh9 as BLS service charge. They can also avail of value added services such as typing, filling of forms, dispatch etc at the BLS centres by paying added administrative fees.

Indian Ambassador to the UAE, M.K. Lokesh, said those who want to get use of passport services can start approaching the BLS centres from today. “It is better if they start earlier though we are not anticipating any delay in providing the services. However, they need to wait till December 4 for outpass services through BLS,” he told Khaleej Times.

The envoy said the service of the Indian associations and community groups, which used to facilitate the outpass services in the previous amnesties, would be channeled for assisting the applicants to complete the formalities after they secure the outpasses.

The ambassador said the missions will also request airline authorities to give special consideration to the amnesty seekers.

Community groups like Indian Association Sharjah and Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) have already announced plans to support the missions in facilitating the amnesty procedures. The KMCC said it would also work with an Indian developer to assist the rehabilitation of amnesty seekers returning to Kerala.

Meanwhile, the Kerala government is sending an official delegation to the UAE to assist the Keralites seeking amnesty.

The embassy said that applicants must attach valid proof of identity with their outpass applications. This can include passport and visa copies or passport details. In case applicants do not have either a passport copy or passport details, they can submit a voter identity card, a ration card with photograph, Indian driving licence or a nativity certificate issued by their district collector or superintendent of police forwarded directly to the embassy or the consulate in Dubai.

UAE Ministry of Interior prepared 10 fully equipped centres to receive violators of the Law of Entry and Residence of Foreigners

The Ministry of Interior has prepared 10 fully equipped centres to receive violators of the Law of Entry and Residence of Foreigners who want to take advantage of the amnesty from December 4 until February 4, 2013.
Director-General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Sharjah, Abdullah Ali Saeed Bin Sahoo, who is also chairman of the Media Committee for the campaign “No to Violators” urges those who are violating the residency law to take advantage of the grace period set by the state to regularise their legal status and residency permits or exit the country if needed.
Bin Sahoo also said that violators should not postpone visiting the centres, but should immediately start the procedure to avoid any penalties.
The amnesty will apply to those who have lived here with proper visas but whose papers are expired, and will allow violators to leave without penalty, and will have their fines and exit fees waived.
“Illegal residents who overstayed their visas can visit residency departments across the UAE to obtain outpasses and leave the country without penalties, or regularise their visas, after payment of fines between December 4 and February 3,” said Major General Nasser Awadi Al Menhali, assistant undersecretary for Naturalisation, Residency and Ports Affairs.
Raising awareness
In efforts to spread awareness about the amnesty, several embassies have also issued statements in the past month encouraging those who are living here illegally to come forward and take advantage of the opportunity.
Indian ambassador to the UAE M.K. Lokesh told that the embassy will make all necessary arrangements to make Indian workers illegally living here aware of the procedures of the amnesty and will ensure that they receive their applications for outpasses.
During the past amnesty periods, the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate in Dubai made arrangements, with Indian community organisations, to help illegal workers process their applications.
Along with the Indian Embassy, the Pakistani, Bangladesh, Filipino, and Sri Lankan embassies have also offered their help with issuing outpasses to citizens in their communities. They have also offered to provide help with their legal documents.