UAE Visa Amnesty Explained: What Is It and How to Apply For It

Here's what you need to know about the (now extended) grace period offered by UAE's MoHRE for those with visa violations

Posted on

30 August 2024

| Last updated on 1 November 2024

by Clarice Awa

What is UAE Visa Amnesty and how to get it

Editor's Update: The grace period has been extended for two more months.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) has launched the UAE visa amnesty service, providing anyone who has violated the country's visa system a grace period to regularise their visa status without facing any travel bans, fines, or exit fees.

Originally the programme was intended to run from Sunday September 1 until Thursday, October, 31 only, however officials have announced that the visa amnesty grace period has a new deadline on December 31, 2024.

This means residents have until the end of 2024 to regularise their visa status or leave the country without incurring a travel ban or a fine. They can also return to the emirates whenever they want in the future.

How much is the usual UAE visa overstay fine?

Typically, anyone overstaying their UAE residency, tourist, or visit visa will receive an AED 50 fine per day (previously AED 100 per day of overstay). Now you can regularise your expired visa without receiving these fines.

In addition, those with work abandonment complaints have time to process their visas until the end of the UAE visa amnesty's grace period.

MoHRE offers 4 services to settle violators status, exempt administrative fines during grace period #WamNews https://t.co/lQM4N2noQC pic.twitter.com/Ul5u7WLSDq

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) September 6, 2024

Who can apply for UAE visa amnesty?

The UAE visa amnesty is available for:

People who overstayed their residency, visit, or tourist visas.
Individuals with complaints against them for absconding from work.
UAE residents who have violated the country's residency system.

This is applicable for temporary visitors, tourists, private sector employees, federal workers, domestic workers, and residents under sponsorship (children, spouses, family members).

It'll now be easier for individuals with prior visa violations or work abandonment cases to regularise their visa status, leave the country without financial penalties, or get a work permit issued, renewed or cancelled.

What are the exceptions?

Individuals with cases filed against them cannot take advantage of the UAE visa amnesty grace period, according to a Khaleej Times article.

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How to Benefit From the UAE's Visa Amnesty Grace Period

Individuals who need to settle their visa statuses and/or work abandonment complaints are encouraged to do so during the UAE Visa Amnesty period until the end of December 2024 - previously October 31, 2024.

Simply visit any of the UAE's ICP centres, business service centres, domestic workers' services centres, the official MoHRE website, or via the official MoHRE smart app (available for Android and iOS).

Establishments and domestic workers can also apply for an exemption from administrative fines resulting from the failure to provide officials with the employment contract and failure to renew work permits.

Leaving the UAE during the visa amnesty period

If you choose to leave the country during the UAE's Visa Amnesty grace period, you'll require a departure permit through the appropriate channels. The exit permit will grant you a window of 14 days to travel to your home country.