The New UAE Visa Amnesty Scheme 2024 Explained
The UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenships, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has announced a two-month visa amnesty period, from 1st September to 31st October 2024, for expats with expired visas and overstay fines to fix their status or leave the country without financial backlash.
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What could this period mean for those staying in the UAE illegally? What could be the reason expats in the UAE would need amnesty? This Pacific Prime Dubai article aims to delve further into the initiative and provide you with up-to-date news about current affairs in Dubai.
UAE Visa Amnesty Scheme
The UAE visa amnesty scheme was announced to provide violators with a new opportunity to regularize their residency status following the law, transfer to a new sponsor, or leave the country without facing penalties and fines.
The Visa Amnesty is most likely to result in two outcomes:
- Depart the UAE: Any penalties regarding their illegality will be dropped, but a two-year entrance restriction will be enforced.
- Stay in the UAE: This requires regularization of their residency status, and applicants will be entitled to a six-month visa, which grants them time to be employed and registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE).
The scheme can be applied by completing the process (less than 15 minutes) in the Amnesty tents that have been set up in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, requiring prior contact with their emirate’s primary immigration department (your original point of entry).
The Need for Visa Amnesty
Visa Amnesty is offered to those who overstayed in the country, violating their residence visa rules as described below.
Residence Visa Rules
The validity of a residence visa in the UAE varies based on type and sponsor.
- Tourist visa: 30-day single entry or 90-day multiple entry
- Visit visa: 30 or 90 days, extendable
- Work visa: 2 to 3 years
- Student visa: 1 year
- Retirement visa: 5 years, renewable
- Investor visa: 3 years, renewable
- Golden visa: 5 to 10 years, renewable
Those who fail to leave the country or renew their visas before the expiry date have to pay fines of AED 50 a day. Expats who wish to renew their visa are given a six-month grace period after their original residency visa is canceled or expired.
Reasons for Violation of Residence Visa Rules
From job loss to fraudulent employers, there are a couple of reasons for a violation of residence visa rules.
Job Loss
When expats lose their jobs in the UAE, they typically have a grace period (usually 30 days) to find new employment or leave the country. However, several factors can complicate this:
- The job market may be challenging, making it difficult to secure new employment quickly
- Financial constraints may prevent immediate departure
- Personal or family commitments might make leaving abruptly difficult
Expats’ residency becomes illegal if they can’t find a job or depart within the grace period. Therefore, for those capable, it is important to secure mandatory job loss insurance.
Passport Expiration
As UAE residency visas are linked to valid passports, passport expiration can create a complex legal limbo. Renewing a passport abroad can be time-consuming and complicated, and this situation is made worse because some countries have limited consular services in the UAE.
Individuals can neither renew their visas nor legally exit the country without a valid passport, contributing to the situation where expats are stuck in UAE territory and overstay.
Absconding Cases
This refers to employees who leave their sponsors without a proper visa cancellation. Absconding results in a police case being filed against the employee, making their stay illegal and complicating future employment or exit. Reasons might include:
- Workplace disputes or abuse
- Better job opportunities (though leaving without proper processes is illegal)
- Misunderstandings about legal requirements
Financial Hardship
Financial difficulties can lead to visa issues when people can’t afford to pay for visa renewals, clear accumulated fines for visa violations, or purchase tickets to exit the country.
This creates a cycle where their illegal status prevents them from working legally, further exacerbating their financial problems.
Victims of Fraud
Some people become illegal residents after falling victim to scams or fraud:
- False job promises leading them to enter on visit visas that then expire
- Fake employers or sponsors who disappear after taking fees
- Unscrupulous agents who provide incorrect information about visa processes
These victims often find themselves stranded without valid documentation or means to regularize their status. Expats and digital nomads need to understand Dubai work visa regulations before moving.
Visa Overstay
This is one of the most common reasons for needing amnesty. Individuals may overstay their visas due to various circumstances, including:
- Forgetting the exact expiry date
- Misunderstanding visa extension processes
- Unexpected personal or family emergencies
- Travel restrictions (like those during the COVID-19 pandemic)
Overstaying can result in hefty fines, legal issues, and potential bans from re-entering the UAE.
Ensure a Seamless Stay in the UAE
While these scenarios may not be common for most expats, it’s still advisable to be aware of such possibilities. The most effective way to prevent such circumstances is to comply with the visa application and extension process.
By securing mandatory health insurance in the UAE, you can guarantee that you will have insurance coverage for healthcare services necessitated by the law in situations such as the loss of employer-sponsored insurance coverage due to unemployment.
Pacific Prime is experienced in offering visa-compliant health insurance to expats in Dubai. Our team of insurance experts can compare and find cost-effective insurance options for you and support you throughout your journey.
Contact us today, or get an obligation-free quote!
Since joining Pacific Prime, Eric was exposed to a new world of insurance. Having learned about insurance products extensively, he has taken joy and satisfaction in helping individuals and businesses manage risks and protect themselves against financial loss through the power of words.
Although born and raised in Hong Kong, he spent a quarter of his life living and studying in the UK. He believes his multicultural experience is a great asset in understanding the needs and wants of expats and globe-trotters.
Eric’s strengths lie in his strong research, analytical, and communication skills, obtained through his BA in Linguistics from the University of York and MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Bristol.
Outside of work, he enjoys some me-time gaming and reading on his own, occasionally going absolutely mental on a night out with friends.
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