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

Here's what you need to know about the two-month grace period offered by UAE's MoHRE for those with visa violations

Posted on

30 August 2024

| Last updated on 10 September 2024

by Clarice Awa

What is UAE Visa Amnesty and how to get it

The UAE visa amnesty period is valid for two months only.

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.

Starting from Sunday September 1 until Thursday, October, 31, those who have forgotten to renew their UAE visa before the expiration date can now make amends and will not incur a travel ban or a fine, and will be able to return to the emirates whenever they want.

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by UAE_BARQ_EN (@uae_barq_en)

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 October.

Simply visit any of the UAE's business service centres, domestic workers' services centres, through 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.