UAE extends grace period for residency visa violators

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) of the UAE has announced the extension of the grace period granted to residency violators for another three months, along with fine exemptions. The grace period extension is from August 18 to November 17. All violators with visas expired before March 1 can avail this facility, and they will also be exempted from all fines provided they leave the country.

Major General Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, Director General of Foreigners Affairs and Ports at ICA, said the violators will not be banned from entering the UAE again provided they leave the country during the grace period. He said visa holders wishing to leave the UAE from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah airports should arrive 6 hours before the flight.

As for those wishing to leave the country through Dubai Airport, they must visit the deportation centre at the Civil Aviation Security Centre near Terminal 2 of the airport 48 hours before their flight.

The process has been made easy and violators have to complete procedures in only three steps, including obtaining the passport, buying the ticket, and arriving well in advance of the trip.

There will be an operation room to respond to inquiries every day of the week from 8am to 10pm, except on holidays. The toll free number for enquiries is 800453.