Dubai asks undocumented residents to regularise stay or leave

DUBAI: Dubai Immigration authorities have asked undocumented residents to take advantage of the UAE’s visa programme amnesty.

In an exclusive interview with Geo News, Lt Col Salem M Bin Ali, Director of the Customer Happiness Department at Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), emphasised the importance of early action for undocumented individuals, especially Pakistani expats, to regularise their residency status or return home without penalties. The programme has been extended to December 31, 2024, offering a final opportunity for individuals to correct their status or leave without facing fines.

“This visa amnesty scheme is unlike anything we’ve launched before,” Lt Col Salem told Geo News. “The UAE government has introduced this initiative to assist those who have overstayed their visas due to unforeseen circumstances, providing them with a rare opportunity to legalise their status or safely return without penalties.”

Salem cautioned undocumented residents against waiting until the last moment. “Don’t wait until the final month, week, or days,” he advised. “Take immediate steps to resolve your residency status.”

He warned that delaying until December end could lead to overcrowded centres and lengthy waits.