Amnesty seekers wait for their turn to rectify visa status at a centre.

Sumayya Saad, Staff Reporter

Counselor Dr Ali Humaid Bin Khatem, Head of Naturalisation and Residency Prosecution, called on overstayers to take advantage of the two-month grace period given to them to adjust their status between Sept.1 and Oct.30.

“The grace period is an exceptional opportunity that contributes to providing a flexible legal environment, enhancing the UAE security and social and economic stability and promoting the values of tolerance, compassion and social cohesion," he said.

"It provides exceptional support to overstayers and helps them take the necessary steps to adjust their status through flexible and facilitated procedures, while exempting them from the fines incurred by them,” he added.

A number of residency violators expressed their happiness about the initiative, which reflected such values as tolerance and humanity found in the UAE.

Khadija M. said she came to Dubai two years ago to work as an accountant for a company but unfortunately the company proved to be fake and she was left jobless.

"I had to stay in the UAE in the hope of finding a job but to no avail," she added.

As she wanted to leave the country, she found that she had to pay a lot of fines but when the initiative was launched, she was exempted from the fines and fortunately found work from one of the companies offering jobs for overstayers.

ZT stated that after his employer cancelled his visa, he stayed illegally for a year but when the initiative was launched, he was exempted from all the fines incurred by him and he was happier when he found a job.

Sameh J, an Arab, said he came to the UAE on a three-month visit visa in 2020 but his company kept telling him that his employment visa was being processed.

"Four months later, the company informed him that nothing more could be done regarding his visa and asked him to leave," he added.

He stayed illegally in the hope to find another job, but this did not happen and he was no longer able to pay the fines incurred by him, he said, adding that he had to borrow a lot of money to continue living in the country until the initiative was launched.

LF said when he heard about the amnesty, he seized the chance immediately but felt happier when he got a job opportunity as well.

AS, an Arab, who had been staying illegally for six years, said the initiative helped him a lot as it was a chance to adjust his status. The initiative relieved him a lot of the burden of fear of staying in the country illegally, he said, adding that what made him happier was that he got a job opportunity.