Great news for illegal residents as the UAE just announced that they have extended the grace period for residence visa violators for another 3 months. In a recent announcement, UAE authorities have posted that the new grace period will begin from 18th August 2020 to 17th November 2020 and will cover those residents whose visas expired before 1st March 2020.
Also Read: 3 Options for UAE Residents with Cancelled Visas
Any fines supposedly incurred due to the overstay will be exempted which means that there will be no Fines so long as the visa violators will leave the country on or before the said grace period.
Previously, the UAE announced a 3-months extension starting from May 18th August 17th. With this new updates, the grace period has now been extended again for another 3 months until 17th November 2020. So it is important that those who have visas that have already expired, it should be updated by either getting another visa (visit or tourist) or switching employers, or by leaving/exiting the country.
Below is the posted announcement from official news agency WAM regarding this update:
مدير عام شؤون الأجانب والمنافذ: المكرمة تشمل جميع مخالفي قانون دخول وإقامة الاجانب ، وسيتم تسديد القيود المدرجة بحقهم دون ختم الحرمان بشرط مغادرة الدولة#وام
للتفاصيل:https://t.co/XR7w30ptDp— وكالة أنباء الإمارات (@wamnews) August 16, 2020
News posted last May 18, 2020 below:
UAE residency visa violators are given a 3-month grace period beginning May 18 to leave the country, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. Please see the full report in the statement below.
Also Read: NO Visa Fines for Overstaying, No Travel Ban for Reentry
Ambassadors, consuls briefed on foreign nationals’ visa fine waivers by MoFAIC, ICA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) have briefed ambassadors and consuls accredited to the UAE on the latest developments regarding foreign nationals’ visa fine waivers.
This came in a virtual briefing, wherein Major General Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, Acting Director General for Foreigners Affairs and Ports at ICA, said the coronavirus crisis has restricted visa renewals and, as a result, it has been decided to exempt all visa violators from all fines, provided that they decide to return home to their respective countries within three months, starting May 18th.
“The decision does not include visa violators who flee from their sponsors and those who do not abide by their business contracts and whose violations were committed before March 1st,” he said, adding that those who wish to stay in the country and modify their residence status will not benefit from the fine waiver.
He explained that there is a grace period of three months, starting from May 18th, adding that all residents and visitors wishing to leave the country shall be exempted from all visa and ID fines. This includes exemptions from the charges associated with exit permits, permit cancellation, business contract issuance, and contract renewal.
“People whose visa fines are waived and leave the UAE after May 18th will not be banned from re-entering the country, should they get a new business contract,” he further explained.
A news conference will be held on May 21st to provide more details on the issue.
Source – MoFAIC
