UAE extends grace period for residency violators 3 months without fines

Abu Dhabi: The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has announced the extension of the grace period granted to residency violators for another three months, along with fine exemptions. The UAE Extends Grace Period From August 18 to November 17, and includes all violators with visas expired even before March 1.

The overstay violators will also be expected from all fines provided they leave the country.

Earlier, the UAE Cabinet announced that residency and visit visas that expired after 1 March 2020, will be valid until the end of the year- 31 December, 2020. However, this decision has now been amended. The validity of visas and entry permits that was extended until the end of December this year has been cancelled.

However, Major General Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, Director General of Foreigners Affairs and Ports at ICA, said on Sunday that the grace period extension will be from August 18 to November 17 and includes all violators with visas expired even before March 1.

Major General Al Rashidi said that the decision include all violators of the entry, visa and residency law even who violate the law before March 1, and assured that the violators will not be banned from entering the UAE.

He explained that visa holders leaving from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah airports must arrive 6 hours before the flight to the airport, while, those leaving via Dubai Airport must go to the deportation centre at the Civil Aviation Security Centre near Terminal 2, 48 hours before their flight.

Major General Al Rashidi added that the violators will have to complete procedures in only three steps, including obtaining the passport, buying the ticket, and arriving to airport before the time of the flight.

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