Dubai - This is the third such amnesty announced by the UAE government in just over a decade.
Published: Tue 31 Jul 2018, 10:00 PM
Last updated: Tue 14 Aug 2018, 1:38 PM
Tens of thousands of expatriates residing illegally in the UAE are expected to avail of the three-month amnesty, which kicks off today.
Latest updates on UAE Amnesty Programme - Day 1
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12:56am
On the first day of the amnesty, 60-year-old Zeher Jahan came to apply for exit pass. He was working as a carpenter in the UAE since last 30 years. His visa expired two years ago and he wants to go home.
12:30am
12:20am
Hundreds of illegal residents and absconders have thronged the tent installed next to the directorate general of residency and foreigners affairs in Ajman to avail the three-month amnesty.
Most of these are Asians, according to a non-commissioned officer there, who wished to remain anonymous. "Up to 85 per cent of the illegal residents we have received so far are Indians, Bengalis, Pakistanis, and Filipinos."
Brigadier Mohammed Abdullah bin Alwan, executive director of the directorate general of residency and foreigners affairs in Ajman, told Khaleej Times that they started receiving applicants from 7.30am.
"The air-conditioned tent that can accommodate up to 300 people at a time shall remain open till 8pm," he said. "More tents will be installed as per needs. This is only the first day of the three-month amnesty."
Expecting to see some 500 illegals on the first day, he affirmed that they are geared up to process all applications. "Thirty competent staffers are processing these applications as professional, accurate, and quick as possible."
Separate sections and counters have been specified for male and female applicants, he pointed out. "No matter where the initial visa is issued from, any applicant can approach the Ajman immigration centre, amend their position, and apply for a new visa."
12:09am
Many Chinese expats also visited the Al Awir center for amnesty, some of them having overstayed during 2016 when Chinese expats were granted visa on arrival.
There are about 300,000 Chinese expats in the UAE.
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Khaleej Times learnt that that illegal expats flying out of the country can only travel 10 days after the issuance of immigration outpass.
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While interacting with Khaleej Times, 30-year-old Mohammed Bilal from Bangladesh showed his labour card that expired on 22/05/2013.
His passport expired around the same time. He came to the UAE to work as a mason in 2010 on a wage of Dh800. He is one of the thousands of Bangladeshis now looking forward to start afresh by availing of the amnesty scheme that begun today.
11:15am
53-year-old Filipina expat Ana Almosa is one of the many female amnesty seekers looking to get an outpass at the Al Awir Immigration tent on Wednesday.
After arriving in Dubai in 2008, she worked in a salon till 2015 until her contract ended. Since then she has been looking for employment but has failed. On the last check, her overstay fines were Dh15,000. An emotional Almosa said the amnesty has been a blessing for her, as she can now return to the Philippines to her only child.
11:04am
Muhammad Uzair Khan from Pakistan has been living in the UAE illegally for 30 years and wishes to stay back
10:40am
There was some confusion amongst expats on Day 1 of the amnesty program.
Filipino expat Dave Bobier, 36, who has an absconding case, said he initially went to an Amer Centre but was told they can not process his request to acquire a 6-month temporary visa until his absconding case is removed. He then went to the GDRFA center in Al Awir
10:35am
Joel Pinili, 50, has been overstaying in the UAE since 2015 because his employer did not process his visa. He has been depending on part-time jobs to survive for the past three years. He has recently received an offer letter and with the immigration amnesty program, he can now start his life anew and work legally as operations manager of a car repair and modification shop in Dubai.
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Another expat, Mark Anthony Beches, 31, went to GDRFA-Dubai in Al Awir to seek immigration amnesty for his five-year-old daughter Ashley. Mark wants to take her daughter back home to start her schooling in the Philippines. They were advised to show their plane tickets before they could proceed with the amnesty application. The Philippine Consulate earlier announced that they will be paying the fees and plane tickets for Filipino expats who wish to avail of the UAE's amnesty programme from August 1 to October 31.
10:05am
Filipino expat Michael Lolong, 39, arrived at GDRFA office in Al Aweer at5am. The Centre opened at7:30am, 30 minutes before the official start of the three-month amnesty program.
Michael told Khaleej Times that by 7:45am he has done rectifying his residency status and he can legally apply for work as a computer technician.
8:30am
8:15am
Major Salem bin Ali, Client Happiness Director at GDRFA-Dubai, talks to Khaleej Times about Day 1 of the amnesty programme.
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Video: People arriving at Al Awir immigration on the first day of amnesty in Dubai
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First announced in June, the amnesty means violators overstaying in the country will now have the option to either rectify their legal status through paying nominal fees - with all overstay fines waived - or if they choose, they can leave the UAE voluntarily without prosecution.
With nine centres set up across immigration departments in the UAE to accommodate and carry out different services under the amnesty, residents are expected to flock to the centres in thousands during the first few days.
From work-absconders to duped workers, embassies and consulates across the country as well as immigration departments, have been gearing up for this moment for more than a month now.
This is the third such amnesty announced by the UAE government in just over a decade, with more than 400,000 availing of the service during the last two pardon periods. In 2007, about 342,000 residents made use of a two-month amnesty, and in 2012/2013, just over 60,000 residents sought out the service.
Related Coverage:
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All you need to know about UAE amnesty 2018
While the amnesties in 2007 and 2012/2013 ran for two months, this latest one will be ongoing for an additional month, with the option to extend also being a possibility.
In a number of interactions with Khaleej Times, official spokespeople from both the Indian and Philippine consulates in Dubai said they are expecting a smaller turnout of people availing of the amnesty this year. This is as a result of two main reasons; the introduction of more independent social organisations stepping in to help workers over the past few years, as well as the large turnout of residents in the previous two amnesties.
In November 2012, when the most recent amnesty was first announced (the grace-period of which ended on February 4, 2013) the government issued a warning, urging all those looking to seek help to do so within the two-month period.
It reiterated that those found illegally staying in the country after the end date will face legal action and the ensuing fines for overstaying, as stipulated by the law.
Although officials have hinted at the possibility of this latest amnesty being extended after October, illegal residents are still being encouraged to rectify their status or settle fines and leave, well within the three-month period. Those who delay or lag behind and wait until the last days of the amnesty will not be given an extension past the conclusion date.
On the last day of the 2012/2013 amnesty, the Nepal Embassy issued just one outpass to a resident, bringing the total number filed during the two-month period to 133.
A total of 350 outpasses were issued by the Bangladeshi Embassy and Consulate, bringing the final total to 20,800. And over at the Philippine Embassy, 15 residents chose to cut it fine and apply for the amnesty on the final day.
Step-by-step guide to availing amnesty
How to get an exit pass
>Applicants need to approach one of the nine immigration centres in UAE, depending on where their last visa was issued
>They should have their original passport or an emergency certificate issued by their embassies
>Immigration officials will take the fingerprint and eye scan of applicants
>Applicants will then need to exit the country within 10 days
How to regularise status
>Applicants need to go to Amer centres to submit their applications
>After paying the fees as due, they can opt for a six-month temporary visa to look for a new job
>If they already have been offered a new job, they can immediately get a residency visa
> Any fees or fines they might have incurred as a result of their illegal stay will be waived off
If applicants have entered UAE illegally
>Their status cannot be regularised and they will be issued an exit pass
>They will get a two-year entry ban to the UAE
In case of criminal case or outstanding loans:
> All loans and criminal cases will need to be cleared before they can avail of the amnesty
kelly@khaleejtimes.com
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