A senior official from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has urged illegal residents to take advantage of the visa amnesty program before it ends on December 31, 2024.
The amnesty, which began on September 1, was initially set to conclude on October 31, 2024, but was extended to allow overstayers more time to regularize their status or return to their home countries without incurring penalties or fines.
Final Reminder for Overstayers
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the GDRFA, emphasized the importance of acting quickly:
“The amnesty period is coming to an end, and overstayers who have not yet rectified their residency violations should use this remaining time to regularize their status.”
Stricter Inspections Ahead
Major General Salah Al Qamzi, assistant director general of the Violators and Foreigners Follow-up Sector, warned that the next phase would see intensified inspections and strict measures against violators who fail to utilize the amnesty.
“Our commitment to enforcing the law is unwavering, with transparency and fairness at the core. After the grace period, we will launch rigorous inspection campaigns to uphold community security,” Al Qamzi stated.
Community Support and Awareness
Al-Marri called on communities to raise awareness about the amnesty program:
“The initiative has been successful, with many illegal residents benefiting and turning their lives around by securing jobs and achieving stability.”
However, he expressed concern over skeptics doubting the program’s legitimacy.
“Some still come to my office asking if the amnesty is real. Let me assure you, we are here to help,” he said.
Humanitarian Impact
Al-Marri also highlighted the amnesty’s humanitarian aspect, sharing examples of families and children who had been supported through the program.
“We facilitated connections with embassies for those without passports, enabling them to return home happily. Cases involving children were particularly moving—some without visas couldn’t receive vaccines, but Dubai Health stepped in to help. It was our duty to ensure their well-being.”
A Message of Hope
The Director General praised his team’s efforts in assisting overstayers, whether by helping them regularize their status or return home.
“I am incredibly proud of my team for their dedication. We’ve made a real difference in people’s lives,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Al Marri urged individuals to act before it’s too late:
“This amnesty is your chance to start fresh. With less than 15 days remaining, regularize your status, clear your fines, and begin a new chapter. Don’t let this opportunity pass by.”
