UAE visa amnesty extended for the month of December

The UAE government has further extended the country's visa amnesty, which began in August this year until 31 December 2018.

The move comes as a “generous initiative” to mark the country’s 47th anniversary, officials said.

Brig Gen Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, director general of the Department of Naturalisation and Residency, said the amnesty, which initially came to an end on November 30, had been extended for 30 days as of December 2.

“This will be a good opportunity for those who did not get a chance to visit the amnesty centres. They now have another chance to benefit from this generous offering,” UAE newspapers quoted him as saying.

Thousands of residents who overstayed their visas or entered the country illegally have already benefited from the amnesty, which originally began on August 1.

They were given the chance to either apply for an exit pass and leave the country without having to pay fines for overstaying their visas, or apply for a six-month visa to allow them time to find a sponsor and legalise their situation.

Originally, the amnesty was scheduled to run for three months, but officials announced a previous extension for the month of November.