Dubai Enhances Immigration Staff as UAE Visa Amnesty Deadline Nears

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Dubai Visa Programs

As the UAE visa deadline approaches, Al Awir Centre sees unprecedented numbers seeking last-minute amnesty

Dubai’s Al Awir Centre is seeing a significant increase in individuals seeking visa amnesty as the UAE’s amnesty deadline of October 31 approaches. In response, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has doubled its immigration staff to handle the surge. The final week of this initiative has witnessed thousands of people seeking exit permits, eager to avoid penalties for overstaying.

 

Lt Col Salem bin Ali, head of the GDRFA’s customer happiness department, explained that this last-minute rush is typical during amnesty periods. “It’s a usual occurrence that we’ve observed in past amnesties,” he noted, confirming that additional immigration staff are on hand to expedite the process for those hoping to secure amnesty before the deadline. According to the GDRFA, the amnesty period will not be extended, highlighting the urgency for overstayers to act now.

 

Although there are concerns, those granted an exit pass by October 31 will have a 14-day grace period to leave the UAE without penalties. Lt Col bin Ali reassured that securing an exit pass won’t affect reentry to the UAE, provided standard visa requirements are met. Al Awir Centre has extended its hours, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., to accommodate the high number of applicants.

 

Many, like Nigerian national Innocent Chibuzo, are taking this final opportunity. Chibuzo, who accumulated overstay fines since 2020, secured an exit pass and booked a flight for October 31, planning to return later under a valid employment visa.

 

For those lacking an Emirates ID, Amer centres across Dubai are managing exit pass applications. Those with an Emirates ID can go directly to Al Awir Centre. With only a few days left, the GDRFA urges all overstayers to finalise their arrangements to avoid fines.

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