DUBAI : The crackdown, which began in January after the end of the four-month amnesty drive in December 2024, is part of intensified efforts to ensure compliance with residency laws. The ICP revealed that around 70% of those arrested for entry and residency violations were deported.

Maj Gen Suhail Al Khaili, Director General of the ICP, confirmed that inspection campaigns would continue across the country, with legal and financial penalties awaiting offenders and those who shelter or employ them. He urged employers to avoid hiring undocumented workers and warned of strict enforcement measures.

The visa amnesty campaign, which ran from September 1 to December 31, 2024, provided undocumented residents an opportunity to either legalize their status or leave the country without facing penalties. Over 236,000 individuals in Dubai alone benefited from the initiative.

Many visa violators are believed to have overstayed due to personal or economic hardships — including job loss, business closure, or changes in sponsorship following family issues — rather than intentional evasion.

The ICP reiterated that the UAE’s updated visa system now includes expanded categories such as golden and green visas aimed at investors, self-employed individuals, and business owners. Overstaying visas, however, carries a penalty of Dh50 per day, as per the standardized fine introduced in October 2022.

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