ABU DHABI // Illegal residents who have overstayed their visas or residency permits will be given a two-month amnesty to leave without being fined.
From December 4, penalties will be waived for illegal residents who visit residency departments with a valid passport and a flight ticket home.
The amnesty will be preceded by a two-week publicity campaign and will end on February 4 next year.
After that, illegal residents face fines, which at the moment are Dh100 a day for visa offences and Dh25 a day for residency offences.
A call centre has opened in Dubai to provide additional information for English and Arabic speakers. The free number is 8005111.
A centre in Abu Dhabi to provide assistance in more languages is expected to open soon.
“Illegal residents must benefit from this offering, which the UAE is extending for the fourth time,” said Maj Gen Nasser Al Manhali, assistant undersecretary for Naturalisation, Residency and Port Affairs.
"Those who didn't benefit in the past will have another chance to abide by the rules and regulations of this country.
"Otherwise the penalty will be bigger than what they expect."
After their cases are processed under the amnesty, illegal residents must leave the country, but they may return in the future.
Statistics on illegal immigrants will be published at the end of the year, Gen Al Manhali said.
[ tsubaihi@thenational.ae ]
