. Overstaying in the UAE? New Grace Period for Visa Violators

The United Arab Emirates “UAE” has announced a new decision aimed at helping individuals illegally staying in UAE as overstaying on status. This initiative represents a unique opportunity to align with the UAE’s strategic goals, enhancing security, social, and economic stability while also fostering values of tolerance, compassion, and social cohesion. By providing a grace period with flexible procedures, the UAE seeks to support violators in correcting their status without incurring financial penalties related to visit visas, residency, identity cards, and establishment cards. This decision also offers violators and their families a chance to secure their rights, access job opportunities, and enjoy a better quality of life in the UAE, all while adhering to the law.
  • Beneficiaries of the Decision

The grace period is available to four main categories of individuals:

  1. Visit Visa Violators: Individuals who have overstayed their visit visa period.
  2. Residency Violators: Those who are in the country unlawfully due to expired residency permits.
  3. Individuals Listed in Administrative Reports or Absent from Work: This includes people who have been reported for job interruption or have not been present at their workplace as required.
  4. Foreigners Born in the UAE with Unconfirmed Residency: Foreign nationals born in the UAE whose residency has not been formally confirmed by their guardians.
  • Advantages of the Decision

The General Authority for Residency and Foreigners Affairs has outlined several key benefits associated with the grace period:

  1. Exemption from Fines: Administrative fines related to residency, visas, identity cards, and establishment cards will be waived. This includes:
  • Visit Visa overstaying fines
  • Residency fines
  • Facility card fines
  • ID card fines
  • Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation fines
    1. Exemption from Cancellation Fees: No fees will be charged for residency and visa cancellations, work interruption report fees, departure fees, and other related charges.
    2. Opportunity to Leave the Country: Individuals can leave the UAE after settling their status without receiving a ban on re-entry.
    • Categories Not Entitled to Benefit

    Certain individuals are excluded from the grace period benefits:

    1. Residency and, Visit Visa Violators Post-September 1, 2024: Those who violate residency and visa regulations after this date are not eligible.
    2. Job Interruption Report Listings Post-September 1, 2024: Individuals reported for job interruptions after this date will not benefit from the grace period.
    3. Deportation Cases: Individuals who have been Previously deported from the UAE or the Gulf Cooperation Council countries are excluded.
    • Procedures

    During the two-month grace period, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security “ICA” will offer the following six services to facilitate the settlement of status:

    1. Issuance of Exit Permits: For those needing to leave the country.
    2. Renewal of Residency: For those who need to regularise their residency permits.
    3. Issuance of Residency for Newborns: For foreign children born in the UAE.
    4. Issuance of New Visas: For both work and residency.
    5. Amendment of Status on Valid Visas: To adjust legal status as needed.
    6. Issuance of Residency for Visa Violators: To regularize the status of those who have overstayed their visas.

    Applications for these services can be submitted electronically to the side of ICP or DRFA or through Amer centre or through approved printing offices, with biometric fingerprinting required only if notified. This streamlined approach aims to make the process as efficient and accessible as possible for beneficiaries.