The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made it easier for people who have broken visa rules to fix their situation. They have reduced the time your passport needs to be valid.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) announced a grace period from September 1st to October 31st, 2024.
This program lets people fix their visa status without paying fines or facing restrictions.
ICP shared this news on their official website on Tuesday.
Why This Program Was Created
The UAE wants to be kind and help people who want to stay in the country legally. They want everyone to have their rights.
The statement said, “This initiative comes from UAE’s values of mercy and tolerance. It’s important to give people a chance to fix their status legally and consider their situations.”
Who Can Benefit from the Grace Period
This grace period is for specific groups:
- People whose residence permits have expired or been canceled.
- People who have overstayed their visas.
- People recorded for work interruptions.
- Foreign-born children whose guardians didn’t set up residency within four months of birth.
Who Can’t Benefit from the Grace Period
Some people won’t benefit from this program, including:
- People who don’t fix their status by the end of the grace period.
- People listed for work interruptions after September 1st.
- People facing deportation (excluded from the UAE or other Gulf countries).
These groups should take action before the deadline.
Benefits of the Program
If you are eligible, you won’t have to pay fines for overstaying, breaking residency rules, or work contract issues.
You can also re-enter the country smoothly if you fix your status.
How to Apply
You can apply online, through smart channels, or at approved printing offices. You don’t need to visit a service center unless you need to give fingerprints.
You can register through e-channels 24/7. Service centers are open until 8:00 PM.
Service centers are available across the Emirates:
- In Abu Dhabi: Al Dhafra, Sweihan, and Al Maqam centers.
- In Dubai: Amer centers and Al Aweer Center.
- In Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al-Quwain, Ajman, and Fujairah: centers with fingerprint devices.
What Employers and Workers Need to Do
If an employer wants to change a worker’s status, they can cancel the work permit or report work abandonment through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
If a worker wants to join a new employer, the new employer must apply for a work permit.
For workers leaving the country, an exit permit must be applied for through the Authority’s systems.
If a worker’s residency has expired but they have a valid work permit, the employer can renew it without canceling any pending complaints.