A visa amnesty program has begun in the UAE, allowing individuals who have been staying in the country without legal status to regularize their situation. Many individuals, primarily from South Asian countries, initially came to the UAE on visit visas and took up odd jobs without proper documentation. The two-month amnesty scheme, which began on September 1, offers individuals the opportunity to legalize their status and continue working in the UAE as part of the legal workforce.
Abdul Rehman, a Pakistani national, is optimistic about doubling his income once his status is legalized. Currently earning around Dh1,500 to Dh2,000 doing odd jobs, Rehman believes that he can make over Dh4,000 once his status is regularized. With a job offer from a private firm through the amnesty scheme, Rehman is eager to switch companies and move to a better place with his legal status in the country. Similarly, Muhammad Murad, a Bangladeshi national who has been living in the UAE without legal status for around six years, is excited about changing his status and joining the legal workforce in the country.
Through the government’s amnesty program, individuals like Murad have the opportunity to secure better jobs and explore new opportunities. A company in the scrap business has already offered Murad a job as a full-time employee, allowing him to be part of the regular workforce in the UAE. Murad expressed his gratitude towards the UAE for this humanitarian gesture and mentioned that he would finally be able to visit his family after seven long years once his status is regularized. Thousands of people across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates are benefiting from the amnesty scheme, with many individuals now becoming legal residents in the country.
Hannanur Rehman, another Bangladeshi national, has been living in the UAE without legal status for 18 months after coming on a visit visa. Following the announcement of the amnesty program, a construction company in Sharjah offered him a job, allowing him to become a legal resident in the country. Hannanur acknowledged the government’s initiative as a great step towards legalization for many individuals like him, noting that this program will help many people become legal residents in the UAE. The program aims to provide individuals with the opportunity to regularize their status, secure better jobs, and contribute positively to the UAE’s workforce.
Overall, the visa amnesty program in the UAE is a significant step towards legalizing the status of individuals who have been living in the country without proper documentation. By providing job opportunities and pathways to regularization, the government is enabling individuals to contribute to the legal workforce in the UAE and improve their overall quality of life. The program has been well-received by many individuals, who are grateful for the chance to legalize their status and pursue better opportunities in the country. With thousands of people benefitting from the program across different emirates, the UAE is taking proactive steps to integrate individuals into the legal workforce and enhance their overall well-being.
