Social workers and immigration experts are advising people overstaying in the UAE with legal issues to prioritize regularizing their residency status before dealing with their court cases. Many are unaware they can still take advantage of the visa amnesty even with unresolved legal matters.
“First, regularize your status and become a legal resident, then handle your case. Don’t delay. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Masiuddin Mohammed from the Quality Government Service Centre in DIP 1.
Abdullah Kamampalam, a social worker in Sharjah, noted that some people have hesitated to apply due to the misconception that ongoing cases disqualify them. He added, “Many still haven’t regularized their status because they expected an extension, while others lack valid passports.”
This extension is a huge help
Immigration experts mentioned that some visitors faced delays early in the amnesty due to missing fingerprint records in the immigration system, especially those who entered on visit visas.
“Visitors whose fingerprints weren’t in the system had to go to the GDRFA tent in Al Awir to regularize their status. Overstayers on visit visas were not initially fingerprinted, so regularization at Amer centers wasn’t possible,” Mohammed explained.
According to a spokesperson for Al Hijrah Businessmen Services, a government transaction center in Dubai Airport Freezone, there was a noticeable rush in the last week, and the extension of the amnesty scheme was expected. He noted that the government often gives people extra time to ensure everyone follows the right processes.
“I’ve seen this in different sectors, and I hoped they would do the same with the amnesty to help more people benefit from it. This extension is a huge help for people to regularize their status,” said the spokesperson.
This is your final opportunity
Kamampalam shared stories of individuals facing issues due to missing documents. One was a business owner whose name was on a trade license but whose passport had expired. “He needed to apply for his visa but didn’t have a valid passport. The renewal took time, leaving him as an illegal resident,” Kamampalam said.
Another case involved a woman who worked as a stylist in Abu Dhabi. “She worked at a salon for nearly six months. Her visa was issued but not stamped in her passport because she lost it after the issuance.
She recently returned home on a travel document and is now coming back with a new passport,” he noted.
“For overstayers without a passport, they can apply for a travel document and return with a new passport easily,” he explained.
Social workers and immigration experts stressed the urgency of the amnesty period. “This is the last chance to regularize your status. Don’t take it lightly. This is your final opportunity,” Kamampalam added.
The UAE visa amnesty program, initially set to end on October 31, has been extended until December 31, 2024, allowing thousands of overstayers to adjust their status without fines.
Experts also emphasized the importance of proper hiring practices, warning companies against hiring individuals without work permits, as this could have serious consequences. “I urge every company not to hire anyone without a work permit. This will negatively impact the company,” Mohammed added.
