Syed Irfan Nazar’s life plunged into uncertainty when he unexpectedly lost his job in 2022. The 45-year-old Pakistani expat faced financial and legal challenges after his employer canceled his visa, leaving him, his wife, and their five children in a precarious situation.
“I couldn’t even afford milk for my children,” Nazar recalled. Returning to Pakistan was not an option. “I’ve only been to my hometown a few times—once for my wedding and when my parents passed away. There’s no one left for us there. I can’t imagine leaving the UAE.”
Having arrived in the UAE in 2000 when his father was working there, Nazar had switched jobs over the years. But when he lost his last position, he struggled to find new opportunities. “I tried everything, but the jobs just weren’t there,” he said.
The financial strain forced Nazar to withdraw his two children from school. “It broke my heart to tell them they couldn’t go to school anymore. They didn’t understand why this was happening,” he said.
As months passed, the family survived on the kindness of friends. “I will always be grateful to those who shared meals with us. Without them, I don’t know how we would have managed,” Nazar said. Despite this support, their situation worsened. Their visas expired, making them illegal residents, while unpaid rent and overstaying fines exceeding Dh150,000 mounted. “The fine was overwhelming. I couldn’t fathom how I would ever pay it,” he said.
A turning point came with the UAE’s amnesty visa program, offering residents with expired visas a chance to regularize their status without penalties. “When I heard about it, I felt it was help from the Almighty,” said Nazar. On the fifth day of the program, he and his family visited the amnesty center in Al Awir, where officials guided them through the process. Their visas were regularized, granting them 14 days to exit the country.
Fortune smiled on Nazar soon after. He secured a position as a sales executive with Hotpack, a leading packaging manufacturing company. The job provided a stable income and renewed hope for his family’s future. “My position comes with a visa, and now I’m working to obtain visas for my wife and children,” he said.
Mujeeb Rahman, Deputy General Manager at Hotpack, explained why Nazar was hired. “His story was very emotional. He had gone through so much but kept trying. His determination, talent, and experience were exactly what we needed,” said Rahman.
Authorities later extended the amnesty period, first to October 31 and then to December 31. “Each extension was a blessing, giving me more time to secure my family’s future,” Nazar said.
Now, he is focused on saving money to process visas for his wife and children and plans to re-enroll his kids in school next year. “Their education is my top priority,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey, Nazar expressed gratitude for the support he received and the UAE government’s initiatives. “This country has given me a second chance. I’ll never forget that,” he said.
For Nazar, the worst is behind him, and the future looks brighter. “My kids will return to school, and we’ll have a stable life again. That’s all I ever wanted,” he said.
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