The UAE launched an amnesty scheme on September 1, 2024, allowing illegal expats in the country to legalize their status. Typing centre agents in the UAE are urging amnesty seekers to ensure they have all the necessary documents in order to process their applications effectively. Many applicants are coming with incomplete papers, causing delays in the process. Some typing centres located in the vicinity of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship are experiencing a massive rush of people who want to benefit from the amnesty scheme.
A typist in the Tawi Saji’ah area mentioned that many amnesty applicants are coming for outpasses and to legalize their status, but a lot of them are arriving with incomplete documents. Those who want to regularize their status and stay in the country need to bring visas from the company offering them jobs. Some typing centres have reduced fees to attract and facilitate more applicants during this period.
Amnesty seekers who are only seeking an outpass are required to bring a passport, photo, and a copy of their expired visa. However, those who have been offered a job by a company but have been declared absconders need to cancel their visas, take a new job offer, and get approval from the labour before applying for an outpass. They can then proceed to apply for a new employment visa without exiting the country.
Dozens of amnesty seekers from different regions have queued up outside typing centres to regularize their status, with some seeking outpasses and others wanting to legalize their status to continue living and working in the UAE. Many people are being directed to visit the typing centre for documentation first before completing the process at the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.
A few typing centre personnel are assisting amnesty seekers by transporting them to the centres to avoid the long distance and crossing a highway. This not only benefits the seekers but also helps generate business for the typing centres. Typing centres on the old immigration road in Sharjah are receiving numerous inquiries from amnesty seekers seeking outpasses and those wishing to regularize their status. It is crucial for applicants to have all the necessary documents and follow the correct process to benefit from the amnesty scheme in the UAE.
