Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Emaduddin Khalil, Staff Reporter

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security (ICP) has identified the categories of overstayers, who are obligated to provide or exempted from fingerprints before leaving the country, these being visa holders aged 15 years and above in accordance with the grace period given to them until Oct.30, 2024.

Fingerprinting upon departure is mandatory for visa holders aged 15 years and above, the ICP said, noting that those holding an Emirati ID and residency as well as those who previously held an Emirati ID, children under 15 and cases where no ten-finger biometrics can be taken are excluded from this condition.

The ICP explained that overstayers with previous fingerprint biometrics wishing to leave the country must submit a request for an exit permit, which will be issued directly.

However, in case no fingerprint biometrics were available, overstayers would be asked to visit the concerned fingerprint centres for the exit permit to be issued after the fingerprint procedures had been completed, the ICP said.

The exit permit is valid for 14 days and if the permit expires within the grace period given for overstayers, which extends until October 30, they will be allowed to leave the country, the ICP added.

If the permit expires after the grace period and the overstayers have not left, the permit will be automatically cancelled and they will have to pay the previous fines imposed on them before taking advantage of the grace period, it said.

The ICP pointed out that for visas issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Abu Dhabi, overstayers are asked after applying for exit permits to visit the service centres that have ten-fingerprint scanners in each of Al Dhafra, Sweihan, Al Maqam, and Al Shahama.

As for visas issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai, the service is provided in the Department of Follow-up of Violators and Foreigners in Al Aweer, the ICP said.

The fingerprinting service for visas issued by the General Directorates of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in the other emirates is provided through the service centres that have ten-fingerprint scanners in each emirate, it added.

The ICP called on residency violators in the country to take advantage of the grace period to adjust their status by submitting their applications through its electronic and smart channels and approved printing offices without the need to visit service centres.

The grace period for adjusting overstayers’ status has many advantages including exemption from residency and visa-related administrative fines resulting from illegal stay in the country. Establishment card fines, ID fines and Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation fines are also exempted.

Other advantages include exemption from residency and visa cancellation fees and departure fees and departure permit fees, among others. The grace period also gives overstayers the opportunity to leave the country after adjusting their status without getting ban stamps.