UAE Visa Amnesty Scheme 2025 – Exit Permit & Minimum Passport Validity

The UAE Visa Amnesty Scheme 2024 offers a unique opportunity for individuals who have overstayed their visas or are residing in the country illegally to clear their fines and regularize their status. 

This humanitarian initiative, launched by the UAE government, aims to help people who face penalties due to expired residency or visit visas, allowing them to remain in the UAE legally or return home without facing harsh consequences. 

Whether someone has overstayed their visa due to unemployment, family issues, or other challenges, this initiative provides a pathway to resolve their status and start fresh. The scheme is available from November 1st to December 31st, 2024, making it crucial for eligible individuals to act promptly.

UAE Visa Amnesty Scheme Exit Permit & Passport Validity

Why Does the UAE Visa Amnesty Matters?

This initiative is not just about waiving fines—it’s about giving people a second chance. Whether someone is trying to find work in the UAE or simply wants to return home without the burden of massive fines, the amnesty offers a lifeline. 

For many, it means the difference between living in fear of legal repercussions and starting a new chapter in their lives.

Who is Eligible for the UAE Visa Amnesty Scheme?

The 2024 UAE Visa Amnesty applies to several groups of people living illegally in the UAE due to various reasons. Here’s a breakdown of the main categories:

  1. Residents with Expired Residency Visas: Individuals whose residency permits have expired and who have accumulated fines due to overstaying.
  2. Visitors on Expired Visit Visas: Tourists or visitors who arrived on visit visas and failed to leave when their visa expired, resulting in fines.
  3. Runaway Workers: People who fled from their sponsors and are now living in the country illegally, often working for different employers without proper documentation.
  4. Newborns without Residency: Children born in the UAE whose parents failed to secure residency for them, leaving them without a valid status.

These groups can benefit from the amnesty by having their fines waived and either renewing their visa or obtaining an exit pass to leave the country without penalties.

The fines for overstaying in the UAE can accumulate quickly. Typically, individuals are charged 50 AED per day for overstaying their visa. In some cases, people have accrued years’ worth of fines, especially those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or job losses. 

For many, these fines have become insurmountable, and the amnesty offers them a chance to either remain in the country legally or return home without paying large sums.

How to Benefit from the Amnesty?

If your visa has expired and you want to take advantage of the UAE Visa Amnesty, here are the steps you need to follow:

  1. Identify the Emirate of Issuance: The first step is to determine where your visa was issued. If it was issued in Abu Dhabi, you will need to visit the relevant centers there. For Dubai-issued visas, you’ll need to visit one of Dubai’s centers.
  2. Visit an Authorized Service Center:
    • In Abu Dhabi, visit one of the four designated service centers.
    • In Dubai, visit one of the Amor centers (there are 86 in total).
    • You may also need to visit the Al Wahda Center if your fingerprints need to be taken for the system.
  3. Choose Your Path:
    • Renew Residency: If you’ve found a new job, you can change your visa status by applying for a residency permit.
    • Obtain an Exit Pass: If you choose to leave the country, you can apply for an exit pass, which gives you 14 days to depart without facing further fines.

Important Process Details

  • Residents vs. Visitors: If you had a residency visa previously, the process is quicker since your fingerprints are already in the system. You can obtain an exit pass or renew your visa within an hour.
  • Visitors: If you arrived on a tourist or visit visa, you’ll need to have your fingerprints taken, which can add about 48 hours to the process.
  • Don’t Book Flights Beforehand: It’s advised not to book your flight out of the country before receiving your exit pass, as the process may take some time depending on your situation.

Job Opportunities for Amnesty Seekers

The UAE government has taken additional steps to assist those taking part in the amnesty by partnering with private companies. At some centers, like Al Wahda, recruiters are present to offer job opportunities. 

This means that in some cases, individuals may not only have their fines waived but also secure employment, completely transforming their situation. This opportunity is particularly helpful for those who were hoping to stay in the UAE but were unable to find work before their visas expired.

Who is Not Eligible for UAE Amnesty?

It is important to note that not everyone qualifies for the 2024 amnesty. Individuals who entered the UAE illegally—without any type of valid visa—are not eligible to benefit from this initiative. The amnesty is only for those who had valid visas at some point but allowed them to expire.

No Travel Ban for Amnesty Beneficiaries

One significant change from previous amnesties is that individuals who choose to leave the UAE under this program will not face a travel ban. In the past, overstayers who benefited from amnesty were banned from returning to the UAE for a certain period. 

However, in 2024, those who leave with an exit pass are free to return in the future if they meet visa requirements, making this scheme more flexible and beneficial.

Success Stories from the Amnesty

The UAE Visa Amnesty 2024 has already changed lives. For example, a Kenyan woman who had been living illegally for two years was able to clear her fines and return home to see her children, whom she hadn’t seen in four years. Another case involved a Pakistani man who, after losing his job, stayed illegally for one year. Through the amnesty, he not only cleared his fines but also secured a new job through one of the recruiters present at the amnesty center.

UAE Amnesty 2024: Can You Reapply for a Visit Visa After Exit Permit?

Many people often ask, “If I have fines from the Ministry, can I get an exit permit, leave the UAE, and apply for a visit visa afterward? Will I get the visa?”

Let me explain this carefully, as it’s an important issue that could save you time and money. Several people have already tested this approach, and I’m sharing their real results.

The UAE offers an exit option, allowing you to leave, secure an employment visa, and return. But here’s the key: it has to be an employment visa, not a visit visa. If you try doing an airport-to-airport (A2A) visa change while under fines or after receiving an exit permit, you could face issues. 

Some people have had their visit visa rejected after attempting this, and this could happen to you too. If your visa gets rejected, the payment for the A2A process may be wasted.

So, if you’re planning an A2A for a visit visa, I strongly recommend thinking twice before proceeding.

Key Highlights of the Amnesty Scheme

  • Visa Cancellation Without Fines: Many individuals have reported successful cancellation of their visas without incurring any fines. For instance, a person with a fine of AED 35,000 was able to cancel his visa without needing to pay any fines or submit a fine waiver application.
  • Family Visa Issues: There have been cases where individuals faced hefty fines due to issues like not having the family visa sticker affixed. These individuals were able to get their family visa stickers pasted without any penalties.
  • Visitor Visa Confirmation: For those on visitor visas with fines showing in the system, immigration has been known to proceed with visa applications without requiring the payment of fines, assuring a smoother transition for applicants.

Steps to Follow for Individuals in the UAE

  1. Check Your Status: Before proceeding, it’s essential to check your current visa status and any associated fines. This can typically be done through the official UAE government portals.
  2. Use the ICP Smart Services Portal:
    • Go to the ICP Smart Services portal.
    • Select the relevant services for visa cancellation or new applications.
    • Follow the prompts to complete your application.
  3. Exit Permit Process:
    • If you decide to leave the UAE, an exit permit is necessary. This permit is crucial for a smooth exit from the country.
    • You can either apply for this permit yourself via the portal or seek assistance from a reliable source or professional service.
    • Those who require fingerprints will be issued a paper for fingerprinting. If your fingerprints are already in the UAE system, you will not need to provide them again.
  4. Timeframe for Leaving: Once your exit permit is issued, it has a validity period of 14 days. Ensure you book your return ticket accordingly to avoid any complications.

Returning to the UAE

Yes, you can return to the UAE after completing the exit process. You will receive a permit that allows for your re-entry, provided you follow the necessary protocols.

How UAE Amnesty Scheme Can Benefit Company Owners?

If you’re a company owner in the UAE, especially one dealing with expired licenses and fines, the UAE Amnesty Scheme for 2024 could be a significant opportunity for you.

Many business owners have faced challenges due to fines imposed by the Ministry of Labor or Immigration, and this amnesty is designed to provide relief and help you get your business back on track.

One of the major benefits of the amnesty scheme is the waiving of fines. If your company’s license has expired for two or three years, and fines have been imposed on your establishment, this scheme can help you resolve those issues.

Here are the specific fines that can be waived under the amnesty:

  1. Illegal Fines by the Ministry of Labor: If fines were imposed due to issues on your part, such as not applying for labor permits on time or other violations, they will be waived during the amnesty period.
  2. Fines on Your Establishment Card: If your company’s establishment card has fines attached to it, they will also be waived. This is a critical aspect for business owners who have been delayed in renewing their licenses due to these penalties.
  3. Late Applications for Labor Permits: If fines were imposed because you were late in applying for labor permits, those too are being waived under this scheme.
Haris Ali
About the author

I'm Haris Ali. I am resident of United Arab Emirates. I've been working with identification documents in UAE for over 8 years. I've gained valuable experience from working with various government authorities in the region, especially with documents like the Emirates ID.

In my free time, I enjoy playing cricket and exploring new destinations around the world.

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