The UAE has launched a two-month amnesty programme to provide illegal residents and those overstaying on a visit visa with a chance to regularise their status or return to their home country without penalties. However, scammers are taking advantage of this opportunity by offering fraudulent residency visas at suspiciously low prices. This has raised alarms among vulnerable expats who are being approached with promises of securing residency visas for as little as Dh5,000, which is well below the standard costs.
Many overstaying expats in Jebel Ali and Sonapur have reported encounters with scammers who offer to secure residency visas at low prices. One expat, Sadiq, shared his experience of being approached by a scammer who promised a residency visa for Dh5,000. Despite the tempting offer, Sadiq became suspicious when the scammer became evasive about the details of the company and the position being offered. Other expats, like A.N, have also been approached by scammers offering to renew their residency status and issue new visas for a fraction of the cost.
Experts warn that these scams are designed to exploit the desperation of overstayers who are looking for a quick and affordable way to legalise their status. Legitimate residency visas in the UAE typically start at a cost much higher than Dh5,000, depending on the type of visa and the company applying for it. Immigration experts advise caution and recommend dealing only with accredited agents or government authorities to avoid falling victim to these fraudulent offers.
Overstayers like Raj Thiru, an Indian expat from Tamil Nadu, have reported being approached by scammers offering to help legalise their status for low prices, but without any proper setup or office. Raj, who has been stuck in the UAE for nearly a year after his visit visa expired, chose to be cautious and avoid falling for these scams. With the ongoing amnesty period, he hopes to finally resolve his status and move forward with legitimate processes.
As the UAE continues to crack down on illegal residency and overstayers, it is important for expats to be vigilant and avoid falling for fraudulent offers from scammers. By seeking guidance from accredited agents and government authorities, expats can ensure that they are following the correct procedures to legalise their status and avoid penalties. The amnesty programme offers a valuable opportunity for expats to rectify their status and start anew in compliance with the law.
