236,000 overstayers rectify status during amnesty period in Dubai

Lieutenant General Mohammed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA), stated that the grace period for rectifying the status of overstayers in Dubai has been successful over the past four months, thanks to the efforts of strategic partners. He noted that 236,000 overstayers have benefited from the grace period for rectifying their status in Dubai. Around 55,000 have already left and the rest on their way to do so.

The deadline for rectifying the status of violators of the residency law in the UAE, with exemption from financial fines and administrative restrictions, is imminent, concluding on Tuesday, December 31.

This extension follows a decision by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) to prolong the deadline by two months, which initially started on September 1 and was supposed to end on October 31.

The ICP called on violators to rectify their status before the deadline expires, as the fines will be reapplied to overstayers after the extension, and the authority, in cooperation with partners from government entities, will intensify inspection campaigns and take legal action against those caught.

Lieutenant General Mohammed Al Marri

It had been decided to extend the first deadline by a further two months to coincide with the UAE's celebration of its 53rd National Day, which embodies the country's humanitarian and civilised values, and in response to appeals from offenders wishing to settle their status.

It was explained that the extension of the deadline signifies the final opportunity for those in violation to rectify their status, thereby circumventing the imposition of fines and the acquisition of the ban stamp.

It was emphasised that these concessions are indicative of the humanitarian dimension of the initiative, and are a manifestation of the ICP's commitment to providing violators with enhanced opportunities to resolve their status, surmount the obstacles they confront, attain their full rights, and safeguard their families.

The categories of individuals who are eligible to benefit from the amnesty include "visa violators," "residence violators," "individuals listed in administrative reports or those absent from work," and "foreigners born in the country" whose guardian has not confirmed their residency within four months from the date of birth.