People who have overstayed their UAE visit visas have been advised to hold off booking flight tickets until they receive their exit pass from immigration authorities.
The collection of biometrics for visa holders is time consuming and the entire process could take up to 48 hours, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) said.
"So, it's best not to book flight tickets," Maj Gen Salah Al Qamzi of the GDRFA told The National.
The issue came to light after several amnesty seekers at Al Awir Centre on day two of the two-month visa amnesty initiative arrived with flight tickets.
“You don’t need to book a flight ticket to get the exit pass," he said, before clarifying that it is the other way round – exit pass first, then flight tickets.
Meanwhile, those who have overstayed their resident visa have a shorter time to wait for their exit pass, often within hours, because their biometric details are already in the system.
An exit pass is valid for 14 days, allowing amnesty seekers to get their papers in order by either leaving the country or finding employment.
Allan Munubi, 31, was among those who had come to the centre with his plane ticket in hand and had to change his flights to factor in the time it takes to procure an exit pass.
"I changed my flight ticket from September 3 to September 5 because I was informed by the officials that it takes time to collect my fingerprints," he said.
The Kenyan citizen had come to Dubai on a visit visa in January to find a job and said he was forced to overstay when his search for work was unsuccessful.
“I couldn’t find a job and found myself in financial trouble. I wanted to leave but the fines started accumulating to thousands of dirhams,” Mr Munubi said. “I’m happy today as they told me that I can get the exit pass within 48 hours after they waive the fines. I have one child and can’t wait to see him and my family again."
Meanwhile, Kasheim Samir, 53, did not have to change his flight tickets because he was on an expired residency. “I came to the UAE 15 years ago and it was only three years ago that I got into visa issues," he said.
The Bangladeshi citizen was working as a watchman at a farm in Dubai for many years but the owner's sons refused to renew his residency.
With an accumulated fine exceeding Dh54,000 ($14,700), Mr Samir was unable to go home.
“I wanted to go back to my family and children in Bangladesh but couldn’t afford to pay the fines. Today I’m happy knowing I can travel with this exit pass. I booked my flight for September 3."
Who can apply for an exit pass in Dubai?
The GDRFA, in a social media post on Tuesday, said amnesty seekers must apply in whichever Emirate issued their visa. However, exceptions will be made in Dubai for those who have secured jobs there.
"So, if you've got a job in Dubai but your visa was issued in another emirate, you can still sort out your paperwork in Dubai," the department said.
Job opportunities prove huge drive
Despite a quiet start, more people have come forward on day two of the amnesty initiative.
"We waived fines for around 1,000 people on the first day, with many getting their exit pass, but it was fairly quiet,” Lt Gen Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA-Dubai, told The National.
However, there has been a sharp rise on day two, which he believed is because more companies are setting up bases at the Al Awir Centre to offer jobs to amnesty seekers.
"We've noticed that most people come to the UAE to look for a job and end up overstaying with the hope of finding employment. So, to be able to find employers at the Al Awir Centre gives them a second chance."
The official added that the "number of recruitment companies positioned at the centre has now increased to 16".
Amnesty seekers who have secured jobs can change their status at any of the Amer Centres in Dubai, Maj Gen Al Qamzi said. They need to apply along with "their passports and other necessary documents", he added.
Half of those interviewed at Al Awir Centre by The National said the hope of finding a job was what compelled them to stay in the country illegally.
Launched on September 1, the amnesty programme will help those who have accrued tens of thousands of dirhams in fines. According to UAE law, the penalty for overstaying a visa is calculated at Dh50 ($13.60) a day for tourists and residents.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Teaching in coronavirus times
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to volunteer
The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
Richard Jewell
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley
Two-and-a-half out of five stars
