The UAE’s two-month amnesty program provided a much-needed relief for many illegal residents who rushed to rectify their visa status. One such individual was 73-year-old Indian expat Ali, who had to return to Dubai to earn money for his son’s operation after facing difficult circumstances back home. However, after his work visa expired, he was cheated by his employer and left with severe health issues, struggling to survive in the country. Despite his challenges, Ali was issued an outpass and received support from public relations officers to return home.
Another case is that of Ugandan housemaid A.S., who developed a nerve problem while working for a family in Jumeirah, leading to her dismissal. Unable to return home due to financial constraints, she lived in constant fear as an illegal resident, taking up part-time jobs to make ends meet. Now, with the opportunity to regularize her status, she hopes to find a job in the UAE and continue supporting her family.
Indian expat R.K. faced a different challenge when he lost his passport and residence visa, resulting in his illegal status. Despite his knowledge of government procedures, he struggled to resolve his situation until the amnesty program provided him with a ray of hope. With a job offer in hand, R.K. now seeks guidance on the next steps to secure his visa and return to his previous role in a bank.
For Filipino couple L.M. and K.M., a bounced cheque and missed credit card payments led to their illegal status after facing financial troubles in their events company. The couple’s hardships resulted in emotional distress and mounting debt, with the hope of finding employment during the amnesty to settle their dues and move forward. Overall, the stories of these individuals highlight the diverse challenges faced by illegal residents in the UAE and the importance of the amnesty program in providing them with a second chance to rectify their status and rebuild their lives.
