88% of amnesty beneficiaries to stay in UAE, says ICP

Emadeddin Khalil, Staff Reporter

Abu Dhabi: The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has revealed that 88 per cent of individuals who have rectified their status would remain in the country since the launch of the amnesty on September 1, 2024. Meanwhile, 12 per cent of individuals who have rectified their status left the country without the ban stamp on their passports, the ICP added.

Major General Suhail Al Khaili, Director General of ICP, has urged those who have violated the residency system in the UAE to take advantage of the amnesty to rectify their status. This may be done by submitting the relevant application through ICP's electronic and smart channels and the authorised typing offices. It should be noted that there is no requirement to visit service centres, except in cases where biometric fingerprinting is necessary, he added.

The categories of beneficiaries of the decision can be broadly classified into four main categories: Those who have violated residency regulations, including those who have overstayed their visas or resided in the country without the requisite permits, as well as individuals listed in administrative reports or unemployed, and foreign-born children in the country whose guardian has not confirmed their residency.

The aforementioned categories of beneficiaries are not applicable to three specific groups: individuals who have violated the terms of their residency or visa status after the specified date of 1 September 2024; those who have been identified in the unemployment report after the aforementioned date; and individuals who have been deported from the UAE or GCC countries.