Starting next month, Dubai residents who have maintained visa compliance for the past 10 years will be eligible for rewards under a new government initiative. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai) announced that the scheme will also extend to individuals under sponsorship, as well as those holding work visas.
The initiative, named ‘The Ideal Face,’ will also benefit Emiratis who have sponsored workers with a spotless residency record over the past decade. Rewards for those who qualify include access to special counters at Amer centres for faster visa processing, priority service for Amer call center requests, and home services for visa requirements for elderly individuals.
How to Apply
Residents who meet the eligibility criteria will need to sign an “obligation certificate” on the GDRFA-Dubai’s official website. After immigration officials cross-check the information, a digital certificate will be issued in the resident’s name. Breaches of eligibility include failing to renew UAE residence visas and Emirates IDs on time or renewing them after paying overstaying fines.
Speaking to The National, Lt Gen Mohammed Al Marri, director general of GDRFA-Dubai, explained that the initiative aims to encourage adherence to residency regulations. As part of the UAE’s vision to maintain “a happy and sustainable society,” Lt Gen Al Marri said it “encourages everyone to adopt positive behaviour.”
Brig Abdul Samad Hussein Suleiman, acting assistant director general for the institutional support sector, emphasized that the campaign not only serves as an “appreciation” for law-abiding residents but also sends “a strong message that every member of the community plays a role in achieving security and stability in the community.”
Positive Reinforcement
Mukhtar Saad, a 42-year-old Moroccan citizen who has lived in Dubai for 15 years, applauded the authorities for launching the scheme. He believes it “will encourage others to renew their residency on time.”
“Having rewards for being law-abiding residents is a step to encourage everyone to adhere to the residency laws in Dubai,” said Mr. Saad, a salesman. “I’ve changed my job twice and I’ve always made sure to renew my residency and my family permits before the expiry deadline to avoid penalties. It is a matter of respecting the UAE laws.” He added that it would be “nice to have priority in the queue when renewing the residency visa or when calling Amer Centre.”
Farah Alramahi, 28, who is sponsored by her mother, believes the initiative will strengthen community ties in Dubai. “As someone who has called Dubai home for over a decade, I truly appreciate the new recognition,” she told The National. “It not only rewards residents for their compliance but also strengthens the sense of community and security that makes Dubai such a unique place to live in. It’s initiatives like these that inspire us to continue supporting the city’s vision for a safer and more prosperous future.”
She also praised the option of home services for elderly visa renewals, saying, “The idea of having someone come home to finish the visa procedure for the elderly is brilliant. It shows how Dubai cares about everyone.”
UAE Two-Month Visa Amnesty
This announcement comes amid the UAE’s two-month visa amnesty, which began on September 1 and runs until October 31. The amnesty offers overstayers the chance to regularize their documents by finding employment or to leave the country without penalties, including a waiver of overstay fines.
