Interestingly, the Dubai visa amnesty scheme, which ended on December 31, 2024, saw a staggering 236,000 residency violators avail of the amnesty. The announcement was made by Lieutenant General Mohammed Al Marri, Director-General, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA Dubai), while revealing that the scheme went smoothly and efficiently.
“Of those 236,000 violators, over 55,000 have already left the UAE. The rest are in the process of leaving.” Lt. Gen Al Marri acknowledged a shortage of ticket availability and high costs as challenges to many people. GDRFA Dubai assisted many of those who could not afford any travel expenses.
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It was also appropriate to extend it by two months to commemorate the 53rd National Day of the UAE. As compared to past amnesties, this particular one has been unmatched in its success because of quality organization and streamlined procedures.
Lt Gen Al Marri credited several government entities, including Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defense, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, for their collaborative efforts. He called on violators to act quickly before the deadline, as penalties shall be applied afterward. Inspection campaigns against violators would be more vigorous, and legal action would be taken against those who failed to adhere.
This amnesty applies to visa and residency violators, people who got into an administrative report, leaving work without official notice, and foreign-born children who didn’t put in their residency at the end of four months after birth. It also provided the necessary help for violators who are victims of unemployment or got cheated by agents.