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.