24/07/2025
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24/07/2025
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DUBAI, July 24: Thousands of foreign nationals living in the UAE illegally are now facing detention, deportation, and lifelong bans after failing to act during last year’s visa amnesty programme.
The four-month initiative—running from September 1 to December 31, 2024—offered undocumented residents a rare lifeline: leave the country without penalty or regularise their stay legally. Authorities even extended the grace period by two months due to overwhelming demand.
But many ignored the warnings. Now, they’re paying the price.
“People had problems, but didn’t take the amnesty seriously,” said Firose Khan, operations manager at Arabian Business Centre. “Even after regularising their status, some went back to overstaying. The government gave them every chance. Now they’re drowning in fines.”
According to officials, more than 32,000 residency violators were arrested between January and June 2025. About 70% have already been deported. Others remain in custody awaiting legal proceedings.
Social workers say denial, misinformation, and a misguided hope for another amnesty left many paralysed into inaction.
“Some tried to find jobs but gave up. Others didn’t even try,” said Masiuddin Mohammed, managing director of Superjet Group, which operates Amer centres across the UAE. “Now they’re being caught. Once that happens, they’re blacklisted—and they won’t be allowed back.”
And the consequences don’t end there.
Many undocumented residents are unable to access healthcare, have mounting hospital bills, or are entangled in unresolved bank loans and legal disputes. With no legal sponsor, they are invisible in the system—until they are caught.
“When the amnesty was in place, they had a golden opportunity to reset their lives. Now, many are out of options,” Mohammed added.
On Tuesday, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) confirmed intensified inspections nationwide, with renewed focus on employers who hire undocumented workers.
Community leaders are also raising the alarm over an alarming rise in illegal domestic workers, with many operating under false identities or with no records at all.
“They’re working off the books, mostly in homes, and many residents don’t even know their real names,” said Abdullah Kamampalam, a social worker with the Sharjah Indian Association. “If theft or abuse occurs, there’s no legal recourse. These situations go completely unreported.”
Kamampalam urged residents to hire only through registered maid agencies, warning that informal arrangements put both families and workers at risk.
Since 2007, the UAE has rolled out four visa amnesties. The latest in 2024 was designed to be the most accessible, with both online and in-person options and extensive support services. But with the programme now closed, full penalties have resumed—including residency fines, blacklisting, and legal action.
“Some people are still waiting for another amnesty, but there’s no guarantee,” Mohammed warned. “It was a one-time chance—and for many, that opportunity is gone forever.”
