Iris scan blocks illegals trying to return too early

Iris scans conducted during the last amnesty will help to catch those who try to return to the country before the end of the one-year ban.

A senior immigration official yesterday said even those who obtained new employment visas will be caught on arrival at the port of entry and sent back home.

"Even worse, the ban period will be counted from the date of deportation, which means losing the time out of the country after the last departure," said Lt. Col. Salem Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency Department.

He was commenting on the case of an expatriate who left the country under last year's January to June amnesty and who obtained an employment visa before the lapse of one year from the date of his departure.

Shahid Javed Khan, a Pakistani newsboy, said he cancelled his Sharjah visa and left the country last June 17.

On arrival in his country, Khan had his passport renewed. Eight months later, a UAE businessman applied for a Dubai employment visa for Khan. Surprisingly, the visa was issued.

Speaking from his country, Khan asked Gulf News whether he would be arrested and deported on arrival, especially as his iris scan was taken and he was fingerprinted before he left the country.

Khan wondered how a new visa had been issued especially when his details remain the same and the old passport number is mentioned in the new passport. "Will I face any problem at the airport if I return to the country on this visa, particularly if I have done nothing illegal?"

Lt. Col. Al Suwaidi explained that those given a one year or six month ban during the amnesty should not try to enter the country before completing the ban period.

"If they try to do so they will be arrested at the airport even if they have a new visa. Iris scans help in monitoring illegals in the country," he said.

He said a large number of illegal immigrants who left the country during the amnesty tried to enter the country on a new visa issued from another emirate rather than the one they were deported from.

What they usually do, he said, is make some changes in their name which makes it difficult for the database to detect that they were under a ban. But he stressed that with the introduction of the iris scan, entering the country undetected is not possible as they will be arrested immediately at any of the country's airports.

He said those who break the immigration law will be deported again and receive another one-year ban. Issuing of visas for those who have been banned does not mean that they can enter the country again before the end of the ban period.

There are two kinds of bans: one for those who already have resident visas in the country who may get a six month or a one year ban. And the other for those staying illegally in the country without any documents who get banned from entering the country forever.

"What we have now is a continuous infiltration attempt which we are dealing with in the proper way, including a crackdown on all those who help the illegal newcomers by giving them shelter.

"It appears that the amnesty we are giving them is luring them back. Whether they are the same or different people, they might think that they will eventually be allowed to leave under a new amnesty," said an immigration official.

"But I would like to draw the attention of all those who think of coming back that there will be no more amnesties," he added.

New job visa 'is no entry permit'
Shahid Javed Khan, a Pakistani newsboy, cancelled his Sharjah visa and left the country on June 17 last year.

Eight months later, Khan applied and got a Dubai employment visa.

Khan wondered how a new visa had been issued, especially when his details remain the same and the old passport's number is mentioned in the new passport.

He was also keen to know whether he would be allowed entry into the country.

A senior immigration official said even those who obtained new employment visas will be caught on arrival at the port of entry and sent back home.