On Thursday, October 31, the final day of the UAE visa amnesty program, the number of overstaying foreigners and expats who applied increased at the last minute. According to reports, authorized typing centers had to hire more workers to handle the demand.
Last Chance For Overstayers To Legalize Their Status
Over 300 amnesty seekers have been seen daily this week, according to Noushad Hussain, manager of an authorized typing center. He claimed that people arrived at the last minute. We currently have between 25 and 35 individuals waiting for their turn at any given time. We have been putting in more hours at work to ensure that we can fulfill the demand.
Indian expat K.L. awaited word from the company where he had secured employment. He declared, “I have been overstaying for the past three years.” “I found a job earlier this month, and the employer applied for my visa last week, but it hasn’t been approved yet. They urged me to wait until noon today and to obtain an outpass so that I could exit the country if the approval did not come.
READ MORE: UAE Visa Amnesty Extended: Two More Months To Regularize Status
Go and Return
Another foreigner, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that he had waited until the very last minute in the hopes of landing a job.
The 47-year-old Pakistani expat stated, “I have been in the UAE for ten years. In 2022, I joined a new company as a salesman, but the company closed down.” After they confiscated my passport, I was fined for overstaying.
Thus, I was unable to depart. I’ve been looking for work ever since the amnesty was declared. I had an interview yesterday, but it didn’t work out either. My only choice now is to go. “I hope to return and seek employment once more,” he continued.
READ MORE: UAE Visa Amnesty: 88% of The Violators Applied Through Amnesty, Choose To Stay In The Country
Lenient’s Offer
Authorities have emphasized time and again that overstayers and those who hire them will face severe consequences after the amnesty program ends.
Since it allows overstayers to either legalize their status or depart the country without facing any penalties, this amnesty has been one of the most forgiving that the UAE has ever granted.