How to exit the UAE after residence visa expires
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Dubai: If you need to take advantage of the fine waiver for visa violations by leaving the UAE before December 31, 2020, what are the steps you should be taking?

On November 17, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) announced that people who have been illegally staying in the UAE after their visas expired before March 1, 2020, will have until the end of this year to leave the country without paying fines. The period will exempt violators from all administrative restrictions, too.

If you would like to take advantage of the exemption period for visa violators, these are the steps to follow, as defined by the ICA.

Violations by visit visa holders

Step 1

Reserve a ticket with a departure date before the deadline expires on December 31, 2020.

Step 2

Bring the passport and airline ticket and go to the airport.

If you are flying out of Dubai International Airport or Al Maktoum International Airport, visit the Dubai Civil Aviation Security Centre 48 hours before the plane takes off.

If you are flying out of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, arrive at the airport six hours before the flight takes off.

Step 3

The following actions will be taken:

1. Exemption from all financial penalties

2. Abolishing all listed administrative restrictions

3. Cancellation of the visa

Violations by residence visa holders

Step 1

Reserve a ticket with a departure date before the deadline expires on December 31, 2020.

Step 2

Take the passport and airline ticket and go to the airport. Arrive at the airport four hours before the plane takes off.

Step 3

The following actions will be taken:

1. Exemption from all financial penalties

2. Abolishing all listed administrative restrictions

3. Cancellation of residence

Conditions for the violator to benefit from the fine waiver

1. The violation should have occurred before March 1, 2020 and the departure should be before the deadline period expired on December 31, 2020

2. Departure should be through UAE airports

3. The violator from the category of investors and partners must liquidate the company or cancel his capacity in the institution.

4. The violator who has personally sponsored others must leave with those he has sponsored.