UAE amnesty: Sharjah immigration opens more counters

Sharjah - A number of women police officers were also deployed in the women's reception tent.

As many as 2,000 people visited Sharjah immigration until midday to avail of the ongoing three-month long amnesty programme, officials said on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, the general directorate of residency and foreigners affairs (GDRFA) in Sharjah allocated four additional halls to meet the heavy rush of violators seeking to benefit from the initiative 'Protect Yourself By Modifying Your Status'
Colonel Ali Amin Mohammed, director of the amnesty centres and establishment at the Sharjah GDRFA, stressed that the number is a positive indicator and reflects the keenness of illegals to legalise their residency status.
He said: "We were surprised by the large numbers of the people who came from various emirates of the country. Most of them did not know where to start their procedures and that made us open four lounges with sections for visa and residence, follow-up violators, ladies hall. Soon, we started serving them in seven halls."
He explained that the department of special tasks of the Sharjah Police has cooperated with immigration officials to manage the crowds around the immigration offices and typing centres. A number of women police officers were also deployed in the women's reception tent. The senior officers of the Sharjah residency department headed by Colonel Amin paid a visit to various services centres and halls to expedite the process. Juices and water was distributed among those in attendance.
amira@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah