31-year fine worth Dh1.08 million waived for illegal UAE resident

Ras Al Khaimah - She entered the country on a visit visa in 1985.

A Filipina has had her 31-year overstay fines waived off at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Ras Al Khaimah, according to Brigadier Hassan Sultan Al Nuaimi, executive director of GDRFA-RAK.
"She had entered the country on a visit visa in 1985. She worked as a housemaid with a GCC national as per a legal residency visa in the first two years, but turned into an illegal resident since then - 31 years. She was supposed to pay Dh1.08 million in fines against her 31-year illegal stay, but all fines were dropped due to the ongoing amnesty," he said.
Three other illegal residents, who had overstayed their visits have also been waived off their fines, thanks to the ongoing three-month amnesty.
An African woman had to pay Dh228,000 in fines against her six-year overstay in the UAE. "I used to work as a freelance housemaid for temporary periods during which I have been denied my money several times. I could not claim it since I was illegally staying in the country."
Another illegal resident A.M., was supposed to pay Dh528,200 in fines. "I had overstayed my visit visa since 2003 during which I could not find a proper work, and led a hard time of unemployment and concerns of being held, deported and banned."
Now, this Asian resident can come back again to the country as a legal resident.
"I will go back to my family, but I am planning to come again on a visit visa."
An Asian illegal resident, identified as P.S., was supposed to pay Dh300,00 for overstaying in the country by over eight years. "This amnesty is a life jacket that will help me swim to the beach and be safe again," he said. "I am planning to fly home and work there. I could not find a proper or well-paid work during my illegal stay."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Ras Al Khaimah