Mubasher: The UAE has further extended the country's visa amnesty for illegal residents and those who overstayed their visas on the occasion of the UAE National Day.
On Monday, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) announced a second extension to the "Protect Yourself by Adjusting Your Status" initiative to 31 December, as part of the 47th National Day celebrations.
The three-month initiative was initially launched by FAIC on August 1 and was first extended to 30 November.
By extending the amnesty period, the authority aims to offer new opportunities for qualified workers in the UAE who are not able to adjust their status by either voluntarily leaving the country or obtaining legitimate residency, state news agency Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
The authority has received many calls from amnesty seekers who were not able to benefit from the initiative for not being able to complete the required procedures, acting director-general of Foreigners and Ports Affairs Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi said.
The country’s leadership immediately responded to the calls and extended the initiative, Al Rashidi added.
Nine centres will be serving those covered by the initiative, including the Al Shahama Centre in Abu Dhabi and the Al Owair Centre in Dubai, as well as other centres in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi, FAIC said.
The UAE government previously announced that illegal residents in the country or those who overstayed their visas will not be fined or charged if they choose to leave the country voluntarily.
