Thousands more people on expired visas have approached consulates and embassies in the UAE asking for assistance during the continuing visa amnesty programme compared to previous initiatives, envoys have said.
In some cases, people who have lived in the UAE without legal documents for more than 20 years were able to return home with fines amounting to more than Dh350,000 waived.
With 10 days to go before the amnesty scheme ends on December 31, diplomats from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal have renewed calls urging people who have overstayed to leave the UAE without facing penalties.
The opportunity to remain by finding a job and leave without facing a ban on re-entry was the reason more people sought amnesty this year than in previous programmes, according to senior officials from countries that attract the largest workforce to the UAE.
People want to come back, work here, earn money and contribute to their family
Satish Kumar Sivan,
Consul General of India in Dubai
Exact numbers are not available and will be released by UAE authorities after collating figures from government centres. The UAE government launched the visa amnesty scheme on September 1 for two months and extended it until the year-end to allow people with expired residency and tourist visas to legalise their stay.
“The amnesty gives the opportunity to people to start afresh, reset their lives,” Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai told The National.
“The numbers this time are higher than the previous amnesty primarily because of positive factors like no re-entry ban. When people are illegal, they are afraid to come out.
"Now they hope to return because this is a land of opportunity. They want to come back, work here, earn money and contribute to their family. This has given more people the confidence to step forward and get their status rectified.”
One-stop amnesty
During the 2018 visa amnesty, the consulate issued around 4,000 documents to legalise the stay of Indian nationals.
The consulate has so far issued more than 5,500 documents, including more than 3,200 outpasses that allow people without passports to leave the country and more than 2,000 short validity passports for those who found employment and must renew their visa.
About 750 ‘long-term’ overstayers, people who lived illegally for more than five years, secured exit passes. This included people who lived illegally for 20 to 30 years.
More than 15,000 people approached the consulate for assistance since September for amnesty and to resolve a wide range of labour and visa issues.
Many overstayers have absconding cases filed by employers if they quit their jobs or court cases for defaulting on bank loans and credit card dues.
The amnesty covers people who do not have pending court cases and fines so illegal residents struggling to clear cases are hesitant to approach authorities.
The consulate spread the word through community welfare groups that people not eligible for amnesty could also approach them to find a solution and resolve their illegal status.
Issues such as withdrawal of labour cases, appeals to withdraw absconding cases, requests to reduce credit card charges and overdue interest were handled free of cost at the consulate.
“We started an amnesty service centre in the consulate that became a one-stop shop – this is the first time we have done this,” Mr Sivan said.
“Apart from amnesty services, we guided people not eligible for amnesty on how to seek recourse if their employer filed a case against them. When fines were low, we guided them to community members who could help. This has been a great opportunity given by the UAE government to people who have ended up on the wrong side of law to regularise their stay.”
Land of opportunity
Sri Lanka Consul General Alexi Gunasekera said the amnesty served as a cautionary tale to dissuade people planning to come to the UAE on a visit visa to search for a job.
“Dubai is a land of opportunity for everyone. People who are promised the sun and moon by bogus agencies realise it’s an illusion after they come here,” Mr Gunasekera said. “The amnesty send a strong message. People who go back will tell people never to come on visit visas to search for a job.”
The consulate issued more than 1,400 outpasses allowing Sri Lankan nationals to leave the country without paying fines.
He met graduates and skilled workers who paid $3,000 to rogue recruiters for a job in Dubai. Duped into believing they would earn double high salaries, they were forced to work daily wage jobs.
A Sri Lankan journalist, unable to find a media job, resorted to making cold calls to sell credit cards to pay the rent and air fare home, Mr Gunasekera said.
“People were promised Dh7,000 and did not even get Dh1,000 a month,” he said. “They spend a lot of money on illegal agents so they want to make up money they have lost. We tell them you may have to forgo this money. We warn people after December 31 they will face jail and must pay all overstay fines.”
The Pakistan embassy too said it has reiterated warnings asking citizens without legal documents to leave the UAE. The embassy estimates between 8,000 to 9,000 Pakistanis availed of amnesty, including 3,200 outpass papers issued by the embassy.
“This time the overall numbers were higher compared to the last amnesty,” said Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE. “Some who lost jobs stayed hoping they will find employment. "Our advice is if they have not found a job until now, they need to leave. They cannot keep staying in the hope of finding a job as their status will become illegal.”
A second chance
More than 50,000 Bangladesh nationals have applied in government Amer centres to remain in the UAE, Bangladesh officials said. The Bangladesh embassy said most would stay as they had found employment.
“We had a meeting with UAE authorities where we learnt that 50,000 plus Bangladeshis have regularised their status as they have found jobs,” said Muhammad Mizanur Rahman, charge d’affaires at the Bangladesh embassy.
The mission issued about 5,000 outpass documents to allow Bangladesh nationals to leave the UAE.
“A lot of people were waiting for amnesty because they lost jobs during the Corona pandemic. This is a great opportunity for them to go home. Our message is clear that if you cannot regularise, you should rush to go back in time.”
The Nepal Embassy said 400 nationals obtained outpasses and this was far below expectation. Among those who left the UAE, some had lived illegally for 17 to 21 years.
Dipendra Paudel, Nepal’s labour counsellor, said many were not eligible for amnesty until court and financial cases were cleared.
“Our expectation was a much higher number but the reality is different,” he said. “We asked people to come to the embassy so we can understand their problems, contact concerned banks, request release from court cases. It’s urgent people come to us.”
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Fatherland
Kele Okereke
(BMG)
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
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Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo and dual electric motors
Power: 300hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,500-3,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.0L/100km
Price: from Dh199,900
On sale: now
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Fixtures
Opening day Premier League fixtures for August 9-11
August 9
Liverpool v Norwich 11pm
August 10
West Ham v Man City 3.30pm
Bournemouth v Sheffield Utd 6pm
Burnley v Southampton 6pm
C Palace v Everton 6pm
Leicester v Wolves 6pm
Watford v Brighton 6pm
Tottenham v Aston Villa 8.30pm
August 11
Newcastle v Arsenal 5pm
Man United v Chelsea 7.30pm
ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Alpha%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Beta%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Cupcake%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Donut%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Eclair%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Froyo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Gingerbread%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Honeycomb%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Ice%20Cream%20Sandwich%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Jelly%20Bean%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20KitKat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Lollipop%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Marshmallow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Nougat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Oreo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Pie%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2010%20(Quince%20Tart*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2011%20(Red%20Velvet%20Cake*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2012%20(Snow%20Cone*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2013%20(Tiramisu*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2014%20(Upside%20Down%20Cake*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2015%20(Vanilla%20Ice%20Cream*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3E*%20internal%20codenames%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
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The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
more from Janine di Giovanni
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape
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