We live in a highly globalised world in which the flow of what is often called “human capital” has become indispensable to the international economy. However, “human capital” is a somewhat impersonal way of describing what is really millions of men, women and families moving to other countries for a better life.
Many make this move in an organised way – arranging a work, study or visit visa that will allow them to reside overseas and take up a job offer, get an education or be reunited with family members. However, moving abroad is not without its pitfalls and even the best-laid plans can come unstuck. Losing a job, suffering from sudden ill-health or going through a marriage break-up can all play havoc with people’s lives – and their visa status.
The UAE is a country that benefits from and values the contributions of the millions who live and work here legally. Nevertheless, some overstay their permits. There is a variety of reasons for this. Some people can find themselves in between jobs. Others can fall prey to unscrupulous recruiters - Ishtiyak Raziq, former president of Sahana, a Sri Lankan welfare association, recently told The National about those who have been “duped by agents who promised higher paying jobs and they end up with nothing and they overstay”.
In some cases, people want to go home after the residency permit lapses but cannot afford to pay the fines they have incurred for overstaying.
Such challenges are not unique to the UAE. A November 2023 report prepared for the US Congress said an estimated 42 per cent of the approximately 11 million unauthorised population living in America illegally entered the country legally but overstayed their visa. Similarly, the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has previously said that those who overstay their visas are “a key source of the UK’s irregular migrant population”. In the EU, the European Council said in March that “overstays by visa-free travellers, for instance, lead to an increase in irregular migration” and an EUObserver report from June claimed that the EU “estimates that about half of all irregular migrants within the bloc’s 27 member states result from visa overstays”.
As a country whose policy has been one of open borders for employees from the world over, the UAE has a humane approach towards those whose visas have expired. Recent news that the authorities have announced a two-month grace period for overstayers to regularise their status or leave without paying fines is a welcome demonstration of this approach.
Losing a job, suffering from sudden ill-health or going through a marriage break-up can all play havoc with people’s lives – and their visa status
From September 1, those without valid papers will be offered assistance with getting their lives back on track. It is right and responsible for the government to do this because, aside from fear and isolation that can come from living abroad illegally, there is no advantage to having an informal labour market. On the contrary, an amnesty can help to regularise the workforce and contribute to economic growth. Research published in 2020 by the US-based Cato Institute think tank found that providing legal paths for migrants to resolve their immigration status “would help provide for the future prosperity of the United States”, adding that governments “cannot regulate a black market of illegal immigrants, but it can regulate legal immigrants”.
The wisdom of a considered visa amnesty has been proven in the UAE before – the country has run amnesties before in 2007, 2013 and 2018. Saudi Arabia and Oman have also offered their own visa amnesties.
The UAE amnesty in 2018 led to tens of thousands of people without legal documentation coming forward to ask for new visas or to return to their country, with overstay fines waived in the process. At the time, The National reported that the Bangladeshi and Ethiopian missions in the UAE recorded the highest numbers of people who applied for amnesty, with just over 25,000 Ethiopians obtaining new passports to legalise their visas during the amnesty period while about 4,500 left the country.
The considered approach taken by the UAE on this issue contrasts with the hostility towards migrants that is unfortunately gaining more political traction in certain other advanced countries, particularly in the West. In reality, operating a realistic but compassionate immigration system that offers people a path out of living in the shadows is not just humane – it is common sense.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
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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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The years Ramadan fell in May
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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Price: From Dh149,900
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The biog
Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness
Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
Australia squads
ODI: Tim Paine (capt), Aaron Finch (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye.
T20: Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth.
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Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
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