Extension for Visa Violators in UAE

Earlier the deadline for visa violations set by ICA for the fine waiver was today (November 17). UAE has now extended the fine waiver for visa violators till December 31.

Abu Dhabi: People who have been illegally residing in the UAE after their visas expiry falls before March 1, 2020, will have the option until the end of this year to leave the country without paying fines, the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has announced. The radio channels have qouted that there will not be any labour ban for people who use the fine waiver scheme and they will be able to return to the country without any formalities.

As per the previous Cabinet order, the deadline was November 17 (tonight) but on Tuesday, the grace period was extended until the end of the current year (December 31, 2020).

The Director General of Foreigners Affairs and Ports at Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), Major General Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi said that the grace period extension will run till the end of this year.

“The period of extension for overstay violators has been extended until the end of December 31, 2020. The extension is for people who violated the entry and foreigners’ residence law before March 1, 2020. They will be exempted from all fines provided they leave the country before the deadline,” Maj Gen Al Rashidi said in a statement.

As per the statement, the order applies to people who have been illegally staying in the country after their visas - visit, tourist or residency - had expired before March 1 this year.

They can leave the UAE without any fines.

Maj Gen Al Rashidi said that the cabinet order to extend the grace period came after directives from the country’s leaders to give a second chance for the violators to change their status.

He thanked the UAE’s leaders for the new order, pointing out that it is a new opportunity for violators to change their status before the end of the year.

FINE CALCULATION

If the individual overstays after the grace period, a fine of 125 AED will be charged for the first day and 25 AED for every day from the second day onwards. Additionally, 50 AED will be charged per day after six months of overstaying and 100 AED per day after one year of overstaying.

Grace period after visa expiry or cancellation is 30 days.

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