Amnesty-seekers in Sharjah asked to approach Tasheel to rectify status

Amnesty-seekers in Sharjah has been urged to visit Tasheel centres and not the amnesty tent, to get their status rectified. Only those seeking to exit the UAE should visit the tent set up outside the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Sharjah) in Al Qasimiya.

A senior GDRFA Sharjah official told Gulf News on Monday that all applications related to renewal of visas for overstaying residents, or issuing of new visas for illegal residents, are being handled by Tasheel.

The statement comes as the GDRFA amnesty tent in Sharjah witnessed a massive rush over the last two days, with many seeking to modify their status waiting for hours in the hot sun, only to be told that they have to approach Tasheel.

The GDRFA amnesty tent is also not handling passport-related applications. Amnesty-seekers should approach their respective consulates, an Indian Association Sharjah (IAS) official confirmed.The IAS has a helpdesk at the amnesty tent.

“At the tent, only emergency certificates or outpasses are being issued to those wanting to exit the UAE,” Mohammad Jabir, acting president of IAS, said.

According to Jabir, Tasheel centres in Sharjah will be started receiving amnesty applications.

Hundreds turn out as UAE's three-month visa amnesty begins

The UAE's much-publicised visa amnesty begins with thousands of undocumented workers expected to attend immigration centres set up to process them.

The new scheme will allow anyone who has overstayed their work or residency visa the opportunity to either legalise their status in the country or return home. previous amnesties in 2007 and 2013 saw more than 340,000 illegal residents taking advantage of the grace period.

Those wishing to take advantage of the programme - which runs until October 31 - can visit any of nine centres dedicated to the amnesty, including those in Al Shahama in Abu Dhabi and Al Aweer in Dubai.

Anyone living in the country without a valid visa will be allowed to return home without paying the fines usually required for overstaying, and without facing the possible threat of a jail term.

The government has also announced a one-year residency and exemption from overstay visa fines for individuals from war-torn countries.

The full list of immigration centres set up to process those seeking assistance includes offices in Shahama, Al Ain and Al Gharbia in Abu Dhabi and Al Aweer in Dubai. The remaining five offices will be in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain.

Here's what you need to know:

How long can those opt to alter their visa status stay in the country to look for a job?

A six-month temporary visa will be issued to individuals looking for employment.

Will those who entered the country illegally be given amnesty?

Yes, but they will be instructed to leave the country and banned from returning for two years.

Can individuals with criminal cases against them apply for amnesty?

No. Anyone with criminal cases against them or who have been previously banned from obtaining a visa is not eligible.

Can people with absconding reports apply for the amnesty?

Yes. Immigration authorities will delete any absconding reports and issue an exit permit without a ban.

What documents are required to apply for an exit permit?

Residents need to submit either their original passport or an Emergency Certificate. A valid airline ticket out of the country must also be provided.

Can residents without passports apply for the amnesty?

Yes.

What is the fee for applying for an exit permit?

Dh220.

What is the fee for modifying residency status?

Dh500.

What is the time period allowed to leave the country after receiving an exit permit?

Those given exit permits are required to leave within 10 days of its issue.

What benefits will the amnesty provide to those from war-torn countries such as Syria or Yemen?

Individuals will be granted a one-year residence visa without restrictions

UAE Amnesty 2018,6-month visa for violators who seek jobs

A six-month visa announced by the UAE government for amnesty seekers to stay back and search for jobs is a golden opportunity for them to start life afresh here.

Although the UAE has granted amnesty to residency law violators several times in the past, it is the first time that amnesty seekers are getting a temporary visa to aid in their job hunt.

Amnesty seekers who already have a job offer can immediately move to a residency visa during the amnesty period. Those who want to stay back but have not managed to find a job can avail of the six-month visa.

However, the six-month temporary visa and new residency visa will be issued to those who entered the UAE through legal channels only, as others who came here illegally will get a two-year entry ban. They can leave the country without facing any legal action including fines but can re-enter the UAE only after two years.

The six-month visa will be issued to the amnesty seeker on his or her own sponsorship, said a statement issued by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC).

The visa holder will be eligible to find a job in the government or private sector during these six months. If they get a new job during this period, they can move to the new residency visa.

However, if they don’t find a job within six months, they have to leave the UAE, FAIC said in a statement. It is understood that they can come back to the UAE on a new visa as they are not subject to an entry ban.

The authority is expected to announce the cost and procedures for the six-month visa soon.

Amnesty seekers looking for a job can also register on a portal of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), which will help them find jobs.

Foreign diplomats of the majority labour-sending countries to the UAE told Gulf News that they welcomed this new step by the UAE and urged their compatriots to utilise the opportunity.

“My congratulations to the UAE government for this initiative. We welcome the move because it gives a second chance to Indians who may have overstayed their visas for technical reasons,” said Navdeep Singh Suri, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE.

“We have already been trying to assist these individuals on an informal basis. The proposed MoHRE portal would be of great value to workers who find themselves stranded simply because they were laid off by their employers,” Suri said.

Mohammad Imran, the Bangladeshi Ambassador to the UAE, said the six-month visa for amnesty seekers is an important step in helping such people. “Hope this will help Bangladeshi nationals who want to find a new job here.”

Rowena Pangilinan Daquipil, chargé d’affaires at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, said, “Yes, of course, we welcome this move. But we leave the decision of whether to exit or stay within this amnesty period to our compatriots.”

She noted that those who exit can come back as no ban will be imposed on them. “Both options are good, so we leave it to our nationals to decide for themselves,” she said.

Sabarullah Khan, chargé d’affaires at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, said the six-month visa will be a golden opportunity for amnesty seekers who want to stay back and search for a new job. He urged his compatriots to utilise this opportunity.