LATEST: 'Nobody left behind’ - major push to tackle visa issues as amnesty begins second week
Satheeshma Wedhiti's dreams of going to school in the UAE were dashed after his father lost his job and was unable to legalise his stay.
The 10 year old had arrived in the country two years ago on a visit visa, accompanying his father Pradeep Wedhiti, who was working for a social media marketing firm in Dubai. However, things went sour between his father and his sponsor, who seized his passport over financial problems and filed an absconding case against him.
“I never went to a school in the UAE, but I would love to,” Satheeshma told The National. “For the last two years, I learn my lessons at home.”
The two-month-long UAE visa amnesty offered the father and son a ray of hope. "My father and I want to go to Sri Lanka," he added.
However, their plans hit a roadblock when the 41-year-old was told by officers of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) at Al Awir Centre that he needed his passport to secure the exit pass. Seeing Mr Wedhiti's confusion, the officers used their system to help track his passport to the Sri Lankan consulate in Dubai using their system.
Colonel Abdullah Atiq, Deputy Assistant Director of Investigation Affairs in GDRFA-Dubai, said the authority had possession of seized passports in absconding cases, before the amnesty started on September 1. After that, all passports were sent to the relevant consulates and embassies.
“Once they collect their passports, they can come back and complete the procedure to close the case," he said. Despite the slight setback, the 10 year old remains hopeful he'll get the paperwork sorted to return to the UAE later and join a school. “When I get a proper visa I will come back and go to a school,” he said.
Passports mandatory to secure exit pass
Visa overstayers who have had their passports seized by their sponsors are being advised to check if it has been sent to their country's consulate or embassy. If not, they must file a complaint at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
If the sponsor refuses to hand over the passport they must file a civil case at the Al Adheed Centre, added Colonel Atiq.
"Once the court procedure is completed, an order to regain possession of their passports will be issued. This must be submitted at the police station where the sponsor resides to get the passport back,” Col Atiq told The National.
If this doesn't work they can file a missing passport report at the police station and secure an emergency passport from their consulate.
"They can apply for an exit pass with an emergency passport, which is a one-time travel document to your home country. However, it will not allow them to change their visa status.
"Changing visa status will need a valid passport," he said, adding, "Amnesty seekers can also apply for a new passport at their consulate."
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.
The car
Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
Parks and accommodation
For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm . Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Starring: Joaquin Phoenix
Rating: Five out of five stars
Hotel Data Cloud profile
Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)
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Louis Tomlinson
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
