An immigration official checks documents of passenger at Dubai Airport. WAM
An immigration official checks documents of passenger at Dubai Airport. WAM
An immigration official checks documents of passenger at Dubai Airport. WAM
An immigration official checks documents of passenger at Dubai Airport. WAM

Coronavirus: UAE extends amnesty for those in the country with expired visas


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE has extended an amnesty period waiving the fines of residents whose visas expired before March 1.

Authorities said those who are in the country on lapsed visas have until November 17 to leave without having to pay a penalty.

They previously had until August 18.

Major General Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, director general of Foreigners Affairs and Ports for the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), said it includes “all violators” whose visas expired before March 1.

It targets people who were already in the country before March 1 without a valid visa - such as workers with expired permits, jobseekers on expired visit visas and people working without any documents.

Mr Al Rashidi said anyone who leaves the country as part of the amnesty will not be banned from reentering at a later date.

"He emphasised that visa holders wishing to leave the UAE from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah airports must arrive six hours before the flight," said ICA in tweet.

"Meanwhile, those wishing to leave the country through Dubai Airport must visit the deportation centre at the Civil Aviation Security Centre near Terminal 2, 48 hours before the flight."

Anyone whose visa expired or was cancelled between March and July 11, was granted a three-month period to rectify their status or leave the UAE without being fined or banned from entry in future.

For those in the country, breaking the residency visa rules incurs a fine of Dh25 a day. When leaving the country, the fine is Dh250 plus Dh25 a day.

Anyone who would like more information about the amnesty can call the toll-free number, 800453 between 8am and 10pm, except on holidays.

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Closing the loophole on sugary drinks

As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.

The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.

Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
 

Not taxed:

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

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The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

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