01 September to 31 December 2024

In light of the decision of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security to grant a grace period to settle the status of violators of the entry and residence regulations of foreigners in the country, the Authority approved the start of exempting violators from financial fines and administrative restrictions starting from September 1, 2024 until 31 December.
This initiative comes in light of the approach of the United Arab Emirates based on the values of mercy and tolerance and in accordance with the importance of granting violators a new opportunity to amend their status with ease and convenience in accordance with the law and taking into account their circumstances.

Strategic objectives

  • Providing a flexible legal environment that assists to enhancing security and social and economic stability. Enhancing the values of respect

  • Enhancing the values of respect for the law, tolerance, compassion and social cohesion.

  • Showing the cultural image and enhancing the human identity of the UAE. Supporting

  • Supporting violators and assisting them correct their situations through flexible and facilitated procedures.

  • Enabling violators to obtain their rights and ensuring safe exit or live and work in the country.

Targeted categories of the period (4 Categories)

Residence Violators
Holders of residence permits in the category of illegal residency after the period expiration or the permit cancelation.

Visa Violators
Visas holders who stayed beyond the permitted period in the country.

Listed Individuals
Those listed in administrative report for work interruption.

Foreign-born in the Country
Foreign-born individuals whose guardians did not establish their residency within 4 months from the birth date.

Categories not benefiting from the period (3 Categories)

Residence and Visa Violators
After 1 September 2024

Listed Individuals
Work interruption reports – after 1 September 2024

Deportation Cases
Deportation cases involving individuals deported from the country or from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

ADVANTAGES OF GRACE PERIOD (2 types of advantages)

Exemptions from fines (5) fines
  • Administrative fines resulting from staying in the country illegally.
  • Establishment card fines.
  • Identity card fines.
  • Failure to provide the ministry with the work contract.
  • Failure to provide the ministry with the renewed work permit.
No ban from entering the country
  • The violator is allowed to leave the country after settling his status without including any administrative restrictions that prevent his return to the country (without the ban stamp ).

BUNDLE OF SERVICES

Federal Authority for identity, Citizenship, customs & Port Security services
  • Issuance of Departure Permit.
  • Residency Renewal.
  • Issuance of Residency for a foreigner born recently in the country.
  • Issuance of a new visa for work or residency.
  • Amendment of status on a valid visa.
  • Issuance of residency for violators of work and residency visas.
Services Related to Residency
  • Issuing work permits
  • Renewing work permits
  • Cancelling work permits
  • Filing an absence from work complaint
Working Hours During the Grace Period
  • Applying through e-channels is available 24/7
  • registration takes place shall be extended until 8:00 PM.
How to Apply for the Grace Period
  • Submit the application via the Authority electronic and smart channels or through approved printing offices without needing to visit service centers, except when notified to complete biometric fingerprint. Click here.
Lost passports
  • Submit a request through E-channels
  • Submit a request through General Police GHQ

FINGERPRINTING PROCEDURES

Fingerprinting for Departure from the Country
  • In case of the Biometric fingerprint are Already Registered:
    • Apply for a Departure Permit, and the permit shall be issued directly.
  • In case of the Biometric fingerprint are Not Registered:
    • The applicant shall be directed to visit the designated fingerprinting centers (for those aged 15 and above).
    • The permit shall be issued after completing the fingerprinting process.
  • Departure Permit Period:
    • The permit is valid for 14 days
    • Any previous fines and restrictions will be automatically reinstated if departure is not possible within the grace period or after the permit validity outside the specified exemption period.
Fingerprinting for Departure from the Country

The Beneficiary is directed to review the following centers:

  • Visas issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Abu Dhabi: All service centers equipped with biometric fingerprint capture devices, such as (Al Dhafra, Sweihan, Al Maqam, and Al Shahama).
  • Visas issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai: Service center in the Monitoring Violators and Foreigners Sector (Amer centers at the emirate level and Al Aweer Center).
  • Visas issued by the General Directorates of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in other Emirates: (All service centers equipped with biometric fingerprint capture devices).
Fingerprint centers

The Beneficiary is directed to review the following centers:

  • Abu Dhabi:
    • The Department of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Abu Dhabi / Sweihan
    • The Department of Residency and Foreigners Affairs / Al Dhafra
    • The Department of Residency and Foreigners Affairs / Al Maqam
  • Dubai:
    • Violation Grace Period Tent, Al Awir
  • Sharjah:
    • Customer Happiness Center - Al Rahmaniyah
  • Ras Al Khaimah:
    • Customer Happiness Center - Ras Al Khaimah
  • Umm Al-Quwain:
    • Customer Happiness Center - Al Ramla
  • Ajman:
    • Customer Happiness Center - Ajman
  • Fujairah:
    • Customer Happiness Services Center - Sakamkam
    • Customer Happiness Services Center - Dibba Fujairah

Required procedures to regulate the status of violators

The procedure is determined by selecting one of the services indicated in the table below, based on the category of the violator and the classification of the status regulation applicant, whether it is the employer who registered the violating worker or the violating worker themselves.
Violator category / procedure based on the status regulation option

Residency Violators: Individuals whose residency has expired and who do not hold a valid work permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.


Procedure for staying in the country based on the classification of the status regulation applicant
  • If the violating resident wishes to work for a new employer:
    • The new employer must apply for a new work permit through the Ministry or the relevant authority, depending on the establishment's affiliation (service link).
  • If the violating resident wishes to remain with their current employer:
    • The current employer must apply for residency renewal through one of the channels of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security.
Procedure for leaving the country based on the classification of the status regulation applicant
  • If the violating resident wishes to leave the country:
    • The resident must apply for an exit permit through the Authority's systems (service link).
Violator category / procedure based on the status regulation option

Visit Visa Violators: Individuals who have overstayed the duration specified by their visit visa.


Procedure for staying in the country based on the classification of the status regulation applicant
  • If the violating visitor wishes to work for a new employer:
    • The new employer must apply for a new work permit through the Ministry or the relevant authority, depending on the establishment's affiliation (service link).
Procedure for leaving the country based on the classification of the status regulation applicant
  • If the violating visitor wishes to leave the country:
    • The visitor must apply for an exit permit through the Authority's systems (service link).
Violator category / procedure based on the status regulation option

Residency Violators: Individuals whose residency has expired and who hold an expired work permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation under the establishments or domestic workers category.


Procedure for staying in the country based on the classification of the status regulation applicant
  • If the violating worker wishes to remain with their current employer:
    • The current employer must apply for a work permit renewal through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s channels, in accordance with the procedures to maintain the contractual relationship (service link).
  • If the current employer wishes to change the violating worker’s status by either cancelling the permit or reporting work abandonment:
    • The current employer must apply for work permit cancellation through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation channels, in accordance with the procedures (service link), or
    • The current employer must submit a complaint for work abandonment (service link).
  • If the violating worker wishes to join a new employer:
    • The new employer must apply for a work permit issuance (service link).
Procedure for leaving the country based on the classification of the status regulation applicant
  • If the violating worker wishes to leave the country:
    • The worker must apply for an exit permit through the Authority's systems (service link).
Violator category / procedure based on the status regulation option

Residency Violators: Individuals whose residency has expired and who hold a valid work permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation under the establishments or domestic workers category, with a pending complaint of work abandonment filed against them.


Procedure for staying in the country based on the classification of the status regulation applicant
  • applicantIf the current employer wishes to reinstate and continue the contractual relationship:
    • If the violating worker’s permit has expired, the current employer must apply for a work permit renewal through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s channels, in accordance with the procedures to maintain the contractual relationship (service link), without needing to cancel the work abandonment complaint.
    • If the violating worker’s permit is still valid, the current employer must apply to cancel the work abandonment complaint (service link).
  • If the violating worker wishes to join a new employer:
    • The new employer must apply for a new work permit through the Ministry or the relevant authority, depending on the establishment's affiliation (service link).
Procedure for leaving the country based on the classification of the status regulation applicant
  • If the violating worker wishes to leave the country:
    • The worker must apply for an exit permit through the Authority's systems (service link).

FAQ

When shall the implementation of the decision of the grace period for correcting violations and exempt from fines begin? And what is the period?

The decision shall be implemented as of 1st September 2024 until 31 December.

What are the strategic objectives that the Authority aims to achieve within the violators grace period?

the Authority aims to achieve the following:

  • Providing a flexible legal environment that contributes to strengthening the security and Social and economic stability.
  • Strengthening the values of respect for the law, tolerance, compassion and social cohesiveness.
  • Highlighting the civilized face and strengthening the human identity of the UAE.
  • Supporting and helping the violators to correct the status within flexible and easy procedures.
  • Enabling violators to obtain their rights and exit safely or live and work in the country.

What are the violations and fines covered by the grace period decision?

There are 4 types of fines that violators who meet the conditions shall be exempted from, and these fines are:

  • Administrative fines (for staying in the country illegally)
  • Establishment card fines.
  • Identity card fines.
  • Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation fines.

Are there other benefits included in the initiative?

Yes, the grace period decision includes many other benefits, are:

  • Exemption from fees for canceling residency and visa, fees for filing a work interruption report, departure fees, and fees for issuing, canceling and extending the exit permit. The violator is allowed to departure the country after settling his status without a stamp.
  • Deprivation of entry to the country.

Does the grace period decision include violations and fines that occur after the grace period start date, which is 1 September 2024?

The following cases will not benefit from the current grace period:

  • Residence and visa violator after 1 September 2024.
  • Persons reported to have been absent from work after 1 September 2024.
  • Deportation cases restricted to individuals deported in the country or the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

How can I settle my legal status?

Submit the service request through e-channels and approved printing offices starting from 1 September 2024.

What are the categories that can benefit from the grace period?

There are 4 main categories that can benefit from the grace period decision, are:

  • Residence violator, holder of a residence permit in the illegal residence category after the grace period ends and the period ends or is cancelled.
  • Visa violator (visa holder after the period of stay in the country ends under it).
  • Those listed in the administrative lists (report of interruption of work).
  • A foreigner born in the country whose guardian has not established his residence within 4 months from the date of birth.

Does the decision include people who entered the country illegally?

The grace period decision does not include infiltrators, and they shall review the Department of Violators and Foreigners Affairs

What are the available channels for inquiries and assistance?

Violators can submit their inquiries and questions and communicate with the concerned teams at the Authority through the Authority’s approved communication channels. As well as through the approved service centers across the country that are announced during the marketing campaign and through the Authority’s social media channels.

What happens if I am unable to settle my status within the specified period?

The law will be applied and fines and fees will be imposed on violators who do not settle their status within the specified period.

What is the type of service that will be offered to the violators within the grace period of correcting the status?

A lot of services are offered within the grace period:

  • Issuing a departure permit
  • Renewing the residency
  • Issuing the residency of the new-born (state’s babies)
  • Issuing new visa (work or residency)
  • Modifying the status with a valid visa
  • Issuing residency for the visa violators (work or residency)

what are the prescribed work hours within the grace period?

Work hours will be extended in the service centers in which the biometric fingerprints are registered.
Work hours will be from 7:00 a.m. until 08:00 p.m.

What are the approved procedures to make the violators fingerprint with a biometric fingerprint?

When a violator tends to depart the state and in case of the previously provided biometric fingerprint, the request of the departure permit is submitted, then, the permit will be directly issued. But in case of the absence of the biometric fingerprint, the recipient will be directed to review the specified fingerprint centers, and the permit will be issued after the completion of the fingerprint procedures.

What is the validity period of the departure permit after fingerprinting?

The validity period is 14 days as of the issuance date. In case of the expiration of the permit after the grace period ends and the non-departure of the recipient, the permit will be automatically cancelled, the previous fines will be returned before taking advantage from the grace time and the generalization will be returned if applicable previously.

What are the categories required to provide fingerprints upon departure? And which categories are exempt?

The categories required to provide fingerprints include visa holders aged 15 years and above. The exempt categories include Emirati ID holders with residence permits, those who previously held an Emirati ID, children under the age of 15, and cases where it is not possible to capture ten fingerprints.

What are the approved fingerprinting centers across the country?

After submitting a departure permit request, the beneficiary is directed to review the following centers:

  • Visas issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Abu Dhabi: (All service centers equipped with biometric fingerprint capture devices, such as Al Dhafra, Sweihan, Al Maqam, and Al Shahama).
  • Visas issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai: (Service center in the Monitoring Violators and Foreigners Sector (Al Awir)).
  • Visas issued by the General Directorates of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in other Emirates:
  • (All service centers equipped with biometric fingerprint capture devices).

How shall newborns in the country who are in violation of residency regulations be handled?

In case of departure: A unified number shall be created, and a departure permit shall be issued with an exemption from fines by the executive departments by a request in the smart system according to the passport or travel document.

In the case of status amendment: fines shall be exempted by a request submitted through the smart system to update the residency under the sponsorship of the head of the family, employer or guarantor. The request shall be processed in the smart system by the executive departments.

What are the regulations for resolving the status of a partner or investor in violation who desires to departure?

The partner or investor in violation shall complete the procedures for canceling the establishment in the authority systems before submitting a departure request.

What is required of the violator who has a departure permit, regular, expired and deprivation runway (before the grace period) and is not departing the Country?

The beneficiary reviews the Department of Foreign Violators Affairs at the State departure to pay the restrictions and submits a request after paying the restrictions to stay in the country and amend the status or departure. In this case, the fines are exempted and the circular and restrictions are paid, while the beneficiary is allowed to departure the country without the deprivation stamp being entered if the beneficiary so desires.

Some violators lost their passports. How shall such cases be dealt with?

Violators who lost their passports shall follow the following procedures:

  • Regarding the Executive Departments of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Abu Dhabi, an request is submitted within the Smart System, and the violator is given an extract of residency details and a certificate stating that the passport is lost to obtain a travel document. The travel document issued by embassies and consuls is also relied upon for violators wishing to departure the country, provided that the data matches the data of the extract of residency details.
  • As for the procedures in the Executive Departments of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in the rest of Emirates, include the procedures for reporting the loss within the Police General Command, hereby the travel document is issued.

If the head of the family is desired or in violation and the family members are in violation .. How are their statuses settled?

Family members are allowed to departure the country, or their status is adjusted according to the circumstances.

  • Family members are allowed to departure the country, or their status is adjusted according to the circumstances.
  • If the head of the family desires to departure with his family, the residencies of the family members are cancelled and they are allowed to departure, but if the family members, the children, wish to adjust their status, they are allowed to adjust their status based on the mother's status if she is employed or according to the conditions of the work visa according to the procedures in valid in the guideline.
  • If the head of the family benefits from the visa issuance service, the residency of the family members who are sponsored by head of the family shall not be cancelled.

There are some violators affiliated to troubled companies .. How are their statuses settled?

  • The status of violators sponsored by companies that do not have restrictions is settled based on the approved procedures.
  • The status of violators sponsored by companies that do not have restrictions is settled based on the approved procedures.
  • If limitations on the troubled company, the Authority shall proceed with adjusting their status. If the challenges facing violators in adjusting their status related to procedures with the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation, coordination shall be performed by the Authority with the aim of facilitating the adjustment of their status.

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