Dubai begins 3-day campaign for overstaying residents, tourists to rectify visa status

Syed Shayaan Bakht, Staff Reporter

The General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai announced on Friday that the authorities are organizing a campaign for residents, visitors and tourists who are facing visa or residency-related issues in the UAE.

An Instagram post by the residency authority read, “GDRFA Dubai is pleased to invite you to visit ‘A Homeland for All’ campaign, aimed at promoting a culture of compliance with entry and residence laws.

"We are committed to working hand in hand with you and for you!”

The campaign is scheduled to take place at City Centre Deira near Centrepoint from Feb.25 to 27.

The campaign will run from 10am to 10pm.

Immigration officials from the Foreign Affairs in Dubai said that everyone must not hesitate to reach them.

The campaign is designed to help residents and visitors who have faced issues related to visas and stay in the UAE.   

Lieutenant Colonel Salem Bin Ali, Director of the Client Happiness Department at GDRFA urged residents and visitors to come forward with their cases.

Colonel Salem said GDRFA staff would be at City Centre Deira to help everyone.

The staff will let people know what the procedure is if they have overstayed for one day, or overstayed for 10 years.

He urged, “Don’t be afraid to visit us. We are going to find a solution and somehow we are going to clear your problem.”

The authorities said that the campaign is a great opportunity for people to seek help and discuss their issues directly with the authorities.

The move is to raise awareness among residents and visitors about the issues related to visas and encourage them to streamline their process and documents.