Community to assist Indian expats seeking fine waivers in UAE

Dubai - Indian embassy urged nationals whose visas have expired before March 1 to avail this opportunity.

Community associations and social workers across the UAE will be setting up help desks and launching awareness campaigns to assist Indian nationals seeking fine waivers for overstaying. Community leaders said they would collaborate with Indian diplomatic missions on these initiatives.
The Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi urged Indian nationals whose visas have expired before March 1 to avail this opportunity to leave the country by August 17 without paying fines.
As part of the announcement, the missions have also appealed to Indian associations to spread the message among the expats and help individuals needing amnesty with requisite documentation.
In collaboration with the diplomatic missions, the Indian Association in Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain and the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) have planned awareness events and will be setting up help desks to assist those seeking fine waivers. E.P. Johnson, president of Indian Association Sharjah, told Khaleej Times, "A help desk will be established at the association office in Sharjah for those who need assistance to fill out the forms. We will also provide help for those who need air tickets to fly home."
"If the traveller has an issue with his passport or emergency travel certificate, we will coordinate with the Consulate General of India to get them a new one." Johnson said during the 2018 UAE amnesty, the association had deployed 10 volunteers at the immigration authorities tent in Sharjah. "At least 1,600 passports were processed by us during that time. I am certain we will be able to assist many people during this time as well," he said. "The telephone numbers will be declared latest by Friday and it will most probably be the same number as the Covid-19 helplines."

S.V. Kutty of Indian Association Ajman said: "We will scan the required documents and e-mail the application to the consulate. The number is 06 7467722." Kutty, however, has advised applicants to avoid crowding at the Indian Association premises in Al Jurf, Ajman. "We have already placed social distancing stickers and markers at the association's indoor auditorium."

Puttur Rahman, president of UAE KMCC National Committee, said: "We are looking to launch an awareness campaign and a help desk. However, we have a meeting planned with the new Consul-General Dr Aman Puri in the coming days. Plans of the national committee will be announced after the meeting."

Meanwhile, advocate Ibrahim Khaleel, secretary and legal centre chairman of the Dubai chapter of KMCC, said: "We are in the process of setting up a help desk at the KMCC office in Dubai and will launch campaigns in labour camps as soon as possible." So far, Dubai KMCC has organised a total of 30 special charter flights to various cities in Kerala.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai