DUBAI: More than 1,000 people legalised their residency status in Dubai on Day 1 of the visa amnesty scheme in the UAE which began on Sunday, a top official told Gulf News on Monday morning.
During the two-month grace period that ends on October 31, violators of residency laws can escape legal action, including a ban and fines, by either leaving the country or regularising their status without paying any fees.
On Monday, GDRFA Dubai clarified holders of expired residency permits that were issued by other emirates, who now wish to leave the UAE must coordinate with the emirate that had issued their residency permit. However, if they wish to remain in the UAE and obtain a job in Dubai, they should proceed with amending their status with the Dubai Residency Department (regardless of their file being with the other emirates).
Lieutenant General Mohamed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai, said the amnesty centres in Dubai, including the 86 Amer centres and the special tents arranged at GDRFA Al Awir centre, completed the procedures to legalise the residency status of more than 1,000 illegal expats yesterday.
This includes violators overstaying resident visas and visit visas.
“There were some cases of families with children also,” said Al Marri.
“It was a weekend. Still we started at 7am yesterday and people were here till 8pm and we finished by 9pm,” he said at the Al Awir centre.
“This is not a tent, this is a centre of hope for people. They might be illegal residents but they are also human beings and the UAE being a country of tolerance and happiness, we want to try and help them start their lives afresh once again and support their families. We are happy to see them go back with a smile on their faces.”
Day 2 saw more illegal expats rushing to the Al Awir centre. There were more people queuing up at tents for both men and women.
Al Marri expected the numbers to grow threefold as the word spreads among amnesty seekers. “It is very important to talk about this good service to others. Many people were waiting and watching to see what is happening to those who came here. Now, more people will start coming. We urge everyone to avail of this opportunity at the earliest instead of waiting till the last minute.”
He said GDRFA has requested companies and diplomatic missions to help those who have legalised their residency status to get jobs.
“We are happy to facilitate on-the-spot job interviews and recruitment by around 15 companies here at the Al Awir centre. They are big companies hiring both professionals and blue-collar workers. It is better for them also to employ people with Dubai experience,” he pointed out.
In Abu Dhabi, officials at accredited typing centres in Abu Dhabi said that inquiries about the two-month grace period for exempting violators of foreign entry and residence regulations from fines, were continuing.
They confirmed that a large number of them have submitted their applications through the authority’s smart systems.
One official said requests included issuing of an exit permit, new visa or renewal of residency, visas for newborns, work permits, amendment of the status of a valid visa and adjustment of status.
Advice for booking flights
Major General Salah Al Qamzi, Assistant Director-General for Violators and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, urged amnesty seekers wishing to leave the country to refrain from booking their flight tickets prior to completing their amnesty procedures and receiving an outpass.
“They need to first complete the procedures for getting an outpass and book the ticket to leave the country within 14 days,” he said.
The official highlighted that the Amer customer service centres in Dubai for residency offer comprehensive services to those who wish to change their status and remain in the country, as well as issues departure permits for those who already have a biometric fingerprint (Emirates ID holders).
Additionally, Al Awir Centre for changing the status of violators in the Violators and Foreigners Follow-up Sector has been designated for fingerprinting and issuing departure permits for those who wish to leave the country under this initiative.
Al Qamzi said that specialised teams on Monday received a number of children, the elderly, and people of determination, ensuring they were treated with the utmost care, dignity, and humanity while providing comprehensive support to all customers.
He also pointed out how quickly and smoothly transactions were handled, including issuing departure permits for those ready to go, especially for those who already have a biometric fingerprint through their Emirates IDs.
Multiple job opportunities
Meanwhile, Abdulla Lashkari, Secretary-General of the Permanent Committee of Labour Affairs in Dubai, said the high turnout of customers highlights the importance and success of this initiative. He reaffirmed the directorate’s commitment to facilitating the maximum number of transactions for violators who wish to change their status, whether they choose to leave the country or transition from being unregistered and unproductive workers to becoming positive and contributing members of the workforce.
This is being achieved by legally integrating them into the labour market through 15 employment platforms linked to companies present at Al Awir Centre, with whom agreements have been made for those seeking job opportunities.
‘This is a lottery for me’
Lashkari congratulated some of the applicants who received job offers after spot interviews. One such lucky amnesty seeker was Sri Lankan national Lasantha Indrajith who was offered a job as a helper with Azizi Group of Companies.
“I used to work as a machine operator. But I lost my job and I came back on a visit visa to look for a new job,” Indrajith said.
A father of four, Indrajith said there was no luck till his visit visa expired and he became an illegal resident.
“I came to check my option of getting a residence visa. If that was not possible, I thought of exiting the country and coming back here again because I have to support my family back home.
“I was so happy when one officer here told me I can attend the spot interviews here and try for a job. To my luck, I am getting a new job, a new life. This job is a lottery for me,” he said.
Syed Vilayath, administrator at Azizi Group, said the company was looking at hiring hundreds of employees.
Back to same company
Meanwhile, Ugandan national Wisdom Muhumure rushed to the amnesty centre on Monday morning after he got to kown that his previous company was hiring amnesty seekers who have legalised their residency status.
“I used to work as a cleaner with Transuguard earlier. Then, I resigned to go back home and do a certificate course in IT. But I wasn’t successful during an entrance exam. I was forced to overstay after my visit visa expired. I saw reports about Transguard recruiting a [person] yesterday and thought of giving it a try,” he added.
More companies offer jobs
Day 2 of the amnesty also saw more companies visiting the GDRFA to support amnesty seekers with jobs. Mohammed Kabeer of Stallion On Demand Labour Supply Company visited the Al Awir centre on Monday to collect the details of amnesty seekers who can fit into the job requirements of the company.
“We have around 1000 employees now. We are looking at hiring 250 more people. I’m giving our contact details to the people who have corrected their status to come for interviews at our office,” he said.
