News
Lankans in UAE urged to legalise status or return home
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a visa amnesty programme to allow people living illegally in the country to legalise their residency status or depart without facing any penalties.
This scheme is projected to last two months, from September 1 to October 31, 2024, VisaGuide.World reports.
The Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), as cited by the Khaleej Times, said that people who choose to leave the country during the amnesty period will not be subject to overstay fines, exit fees or entry bans.
This means they have the right to re-enter the UAE at any time as long as they have valid visas and related documents.
The UAE authorities said the visa amnesty programme promotes “respect for the law, tolerance, compassion and social cohesion”.
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) confirmed that the amnesty, declared by the UAE’s Authority for Registration of Persons, Customs, and Port Security, offers an opportunity for those without valid visas or the individuals who have absconded from their workplaces without the employer’s legal permission to regularize their stay or return to their home countries without facing penalties or legal repercussions.
During this period, individuals can either leave the UAE or legally process their visa documentation without incurring fines.
Accordingly, the SLBFE has urged Sri Lankan nationals residing illegally in the UAE to take advantage of this amnesty, either by rectifying their visa status or arranging to return to Sri Lanka.
As further revealed, the visa amnesty programme covers all categories of visas, including tourists and expired residency visas.
In addition, people who were born without documents or those who absconded from their sponsors can apply for amnesty and regularize their status in the UAE.
On the other hand, individuals who have entered the UAE irregularly cannot apply for amnesty.
Other categories that cannot apply for amnesty include residency and visa violators after September 1, 2024, those who will get an absconding case after September 1, 2024, and individuals with deportation cases in the UAE or any GCC country.
Eligible individuals can apply for amnesty in all Amer centres in Dubai and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai centre in Al Awir.
Amnesty services will also be provided in Abu Dhabi at the Al Dhafra, Suwaihan, Al Maqa, and Al Shahama centres.
As further noted, service centres will work with additional hours, from 07:00 to 22:00, during which time the biometric fingerprint will be registered.
Applicants can also apply online at any time of the day without visiting the centre. They will be asked to present themselves to the service centre for biometric fingerprinting.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to award the contract for printing and supplying vehicle number plates for the Department of Motor Traffic for a period of five (5) years to M/s South Asian Technologies based on the recommendations of the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee and the Procurement Appeal Board.
The National Lotteries board has been established subject to the Finance Act No. 11 of 1963. Having identified the requirement of amending that act which was imposed around 62 years to cater the current requirements of the lottery market, the Cabinet of Mnisters at their meeting held on 14.02.2017 granted approval to draft a new bill for the purpose.
Accordingly, the National Lotteries Board has recognized further amendments to be performed to the fundamental draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsmen.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the
resolution furnished by the President in his office as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to direct the Legal Draftsmen to finalize the formulation of the draft bill for the National Lotteries Board as soon as possible including the proposed new amendments as well.
The Werahara office of the Department of Motor Traffic performs issuance of temporary driving licenses in this country based on the driving licenses issued overseas, and measures have been initiated to render the service from a service window of the Department of Motor Traffic established at the Bandaranayake International Airport from 03.08.2025.
The fees charged for issuing temporary driving licenses have been published in Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 prepared under the provisions of the Motor Traffic (Authority 203) Act.
But, as the fee of Rupees 2,000/- charged for the service is not sufficient, the requirement of amending the regulations has been recognized.
The regulations for introducing the revised fees have been published in the government extraordinary gazette
notification No. 2463/04 dated 17.11.2025. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to
submit the regulations to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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M/s South Asian Technologies awarded contract to supply vehicle number plates
A new act for National Lotteries Board to be introduced
Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 to be amended
Mrs. P. K. L. S. Panduwawala appointed to the post of Surveyor General
Implementing the programme to provide concession for pepper, coffee and cardamom plantations affected by the disaster
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