The Indian consulate in Dubai has announced a temporary closure of its amnesty help desk on November 2 and 3, citing technical issues. The mission made the announcement on X and assured the public that other consular services remain available.
The closure comes amidst a recent extension of the UAE's visa amnesty programme, which began on September 1. Originally set to end on October 31, the amnesty has now been extended until December 31, 2024. This initiative by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) provides an additional two months for residents to regularize their visa status without incurring fines for overstaying.
The amnesty programme has already seen significant participation, with thousands of residents taking advantage of the scheme. The Indian consulate in Dubai and the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi have been offering various support services to assist expats, including emergency certificates (ECs) and simplified access to BLS centres in Abu Dhabi for processing without prior appointments.