UAE: The UAE’s latest visa amnesty, announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, provides an opportunity for residents and visitors who have overstayed their visas to either adjust their legal status or exit the country without incurring fines. This initiative applies to individuals with expired residency visas, visitors who overstayed their visit visas, children born in the UAE whose residency wasn’t processed, and those who fled from their sponsors. However, those who entered the country illegally and violated visa rules after September 1 or were deported from the UAE or other GCC countries are not eligible.

Residents can visit ICP centres across the UAE to apply for amnesty, including locations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and other emirates. The centres will operate daily from 8 am to 8 pm. For those seeking an exit permit, no fees will be charged, and any previous fines will be waived. The permit is valid for 14 days, after which fines will be reinstated if the individual hasn’t left the country.

The amnesty ends on October 31 and is expected to benefit thousands, much like previous initiatives. In 2018, over 105,000 individuals took advantage of a similar program, underscoring the ongoing need for such measures as the UAE continues to experience a population boom.