When is the amnesty period?
| s |
The amnesty period, which exempts violators
from financial fines and administrative restrictions, will commence on
September 1, 2024, and will last for two months.
From left: Major General Sultan Yusuf Abdul Rahman Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Residency and officials
Who can benefit from the amnesty?
1.
Residency Violators: Individuals holding a residence permit in the
illegal residence category after the grace period has ended, or whose permits
have expired or been canceled.
2.
Visa Violators: Individuals holding a visa after the
specified period of stay has ended.
3.
Absconding Cases: Those listed in the administrative lists of
‘Report of Interruption of Work’.
4.
Foreigners Born in the Country: Those whose guardians
have not confirmed their residence within four months from the date of birth.
Who is not eligible for the amnesty?
1.
Residence
and visa violators after September 1, 2024.
2.
Those
on the list of work interruption reports (absconding) after September 1, 2024.
3.
Deportation
cases – individuals deported from the country or the Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) countries.
Benefits of the Grace Period
1.
Exemptions from Fines:
o Administrative fines
for illegal stay.
o Establishment card
fines.
o Identity card fines.
o Fines for not providing
the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) with an employment
contract.
o Fines for not renewing
an employment contract with MOHRE.
2.
Exemption from Fees:
o Residence and visa
cancellation fees.
o Work interruption
report filing fees.
o Departure fees.
o Residence and visa
details fees.
o Departure permit fees.
3.
No Entry Ban:
o Violators can leave the
country after settling their status without any administrative restrictions
that prevent their return, and without a ban stamp.
How to Apply
Applications for the amnesty can be made
through the ICP website (icp.gov.ae). You will only need to visit a service
center once you receive a message for registering your biometric data.
Fingerprinting/Biometric Requirements
If you wish to leave the country, there are two
scenarios:
1.
If
you have previously completed biometric fingerprinting, a request for an exit
permit is submitted, and the permit is issued directly.
2.
If
you have not completed biometric fingerprinting, you will be directed to a
specified fingerprinting center (for those aged 15 years and above). The
procedures will be completed, and the exit permit will be issued.
Approved Biometric/Fingerprinting
Centres
·
Abu Dhabi: All service centers with biometric
fingerprint capture devices in Al Dhafra, Sweihan, Al Maqam, and Al Shahama.
·
Dubai: Al Aweer Service Centre.
·
Other Emirates: All service centers with biometric
fingerprint capture devices.
Duration of the Exit Permit
The exit permit is valid for 14 days, within
which you must exit the country. All previous fines and restrictions will be
reinstated if departure is not possible within the deadline or if the permits
expire outside the specified exemption period.
Does the amnesty include people who
entered the country illegally?
No, the amnesty does not include infiltrators.
They must review their case with the Department of Residency and Foreigners
Affairs.
How to Apply for the Amnesty
You can apply for the amnesty through the ICP
website (icp.gov.ae). You will only need to visit a service center once you
receive a message to register your biometric data.
Fingerprinting/Biometric Requirements
If you wish to leave the country, there are two
scenarios:
1.
Previously Completed Biometric: If you have already
completed biometric fingerprinting, you can submit a request for an exit
permit, which will be issued directly.
2.
Biometric Not Completed: If you have not completed biometric
fingerprinting, you will be directed to a specified fingerprinting center (for
those aged 15 years and above). Once the fingerprinting procedures are
completed, the exit permit will be issued.
Approved Biometric/Fingerprinting
Centres
·
Abu Dhabi: All service centers with biometric
fingerprint capture devices in Al Dhafra, Sweihan, Al Maqam, and Al Shahama.
·
Dubai: Al Aweer Service Centre.
·
Other Emirates: All service centers with biometric
fingerprint capture devices.
Duration of the Exit Permit
The exit permit is valid for 14 days, within
which you must exit the country. All previous fines and restrictions will be
reinstated if departure is not possible within the deadline or if the permits
expire outside the specified exemption period.
Does the Amnesty Include People Who
Entered the Country Illegally?
No, the amnesty does not include infiltrators.
They must review their case with the Department of Residency and Foreigners
Affairs.
Where can I go to raise inquiries?
If you need assistance with your visa status,
you can reach out to the ICP through the following channels:
·
ICP Call Centre: 600 522222
·
Live Chat: icp.gov.ae
·
Amer Call Centre (for Dubai): 800 5111
·
MOHRE Call Centre: 600 590000
·
Social Media: Any of the social media channels of the ICP
or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFAD).
What happens if I am unable to settle my
status within the specified period?
The law will be applied, and fines and fees
will be imposed on violators who do not settle their status within the
specified period.
What kind of services will be provided
to violators during the period of correction of status?
During the amnesty grace period, the following
services will be provided:
·
Issuing
an exit permit.
·
Renewing
a residence permit.
·
Issuing
a residence permit for newborns (born in the country).
·
Issuing
a new visa (work or residence).
·
Adjusting
the status of a valid visa.
·
Issuing
a residence permit for visa violators (work or residence).
What are the working hours during the
grace period?
The working hours at the service centers where
biometric fingerprints are registered will be extended. The working hours will
be from 7 am to 8 pm.
How will violators who were born in the
UAE be dealt with?
·
In the event of departure: A unified number will be created, and
an exit permit will be issued with exemption from fines by the executive
departments based on a request in the smart system using a passport or travel
document.
·
In the event of a status change: Fines will be
exempted based on a request submitted to the smart system to confirm the
residence under the sponsorship of the head of the family or the employers and
the guarantor, provided that the request is processed in the smart system by
the executive departments.
How is the situation of a violator who
has traffic violations and vehicle licensing settled in the event of departure?
The violating owner who wishes to leave is
directed to give up the vehicle before the departure takes place.
Some violators have lost their
passports. How will such cases be dealt with?
Violators who have lost their passports must
follow the process:
·
For GDRFA - Abu Dhabi: A request is submitted through the
smart system, and the violator is given a copy of residency details and a
certificate stating that the passport is lost to obtain a travel document. The
travel document issued by embassies and consulates is also relied upon for
violators wishing to leave the country, provided that the data matches the data
of the copy of residency details.
·
For GDRFA in other emirates: Report the loss
through the General Command of the Police, according to which the travel
document is issued.
If the head of the family is wanted or
in violation of the visa regulations and the family members are in violation,
how are their statuses settled?
Family members are allowed to leave the country
or adjust their status, as per the circumstances.
Family Departure and Status Adjustment
If the head of the family wishes to leave with
his family, the residencies of the family members will be canceled, allowing
them to depart. However, if the family members, such as children, wish to
adjust their status, they can transfer their sponsorship to the mother if she
is employed, or meets the conditions for a work visa according to the current
procedures.
If the head of the family benefits from the
visa issuance service, the residencies of the family members under his
sponsorship will not be canceled.
Expired Exit Permit and Banned List
If a violator’s ordinary exit permit has
expired and they have been placed on the banned list before the amnesty, they
must visit the Department of Residency and Foreigners Affairs to settle any
outstanding restrictions and close their entries. After this, they can submit a
request to either remain in the country and adjust their status or arrange for
their departure. In this scenario, fines will be waived, and restrictions and
entries will be removed. The amnesty beneficiary will be allowed to leave the
country without a ban stamp if they choose to do so.
Regulations for Violating Partners and
Investors
A violating partner or investor must complete
procedures related to canceling the establishment in accordance with the ICP’s
regulations before submitting a request to leave the country.
Adjusting the Status of a Family with a
Wanted or Violating Head
For violators who have lost their passports,
the following procedures apply:
1.
Departure of Family Members:
o Family members are
allowed to either leave the country or adjust their status, depending on the
situation.
o If the head of the
family chooses to leave the country with the family, the residencies of the
family members will be cancelled, and they will be permitted to leave.
2.
Status Adjustment for Family Members (Children):
o If family members, such
as children, want to adjust their status, they can do so by transferring their
sponsorship to the mother, provided she is employed, or by meeting the
conditions for a work visa according to the procedures outlined in the relevant
guide.
3.
Visa Issuance Service for the Head of the Family:
o If the head of the
family benefits from the visa issuance service, the residencies of the family
members sponsored by him will not be canceled.
Adjusting the Status of Violators
Sponsored by Troubled Companies
For violators who have lost their passports,
the following procedures apply:
1.
Adjusting the Status of Violators Sponsored by Companies
Without Restrictions:
o The status of violators
under the sponsorship of companies that have no restrictions can be adjusted
according to the procedures outlined in the relevant guide.
2.
Adjusting the Status of Violators Sponsored by Troubled
Companies:
o If violators are
affiliated with troubled companies that have restrictions, their status can be
adjusted by the ICP.
o In cases where
violators face challenges in adjusting their status through MOHRE, the
executive departments will coordinate to facilitate the adjustment of their
status.
I hope this helps! If you need any further
adjustments or additional information, feel free to let me know.
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