DUBAI: The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs of Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) has outlined the process for illegal immigrants to regularise their status and work in the private sector after receiving amnesty for residence and visa violators.
The two-month amnesty began on September 1, allowing people whose residency, visas or work permits had expired to have their residency reinstated or regularized, apply for jobs and leave the UAE without penalty.
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Gulf News recently visited Al Aweel Centre, the GDRFA’s main facility in Dubai for amnesty seekers, and spoke to officials and employers about the amnesty process.
Ministry inspectors noted that there are different categories of violators, each of which follows their own regularization procedures to enable them to stay and work legally in the UAE.
Residency Violators
Individuals whose residence permit has expired and who do not have a valid work permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) are classified as residence violators.
Violators have two options.
1. If a non-compliant resident seeks employment with a new employer, the new employer will submit an application for a new work permit through the MoHRE or GDRFA, depending on the jurisdiction that governs the employer.
2. If the noncompliant resident wishes to continue employment with his/her current employer, the current employer will submit an application for renewal of residency through the Federal Bureau of Status, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
However, if a non-compliant resident wishes to leave the UAE, they will need to submit an application for an exit permit through the GDRFA and complete the process to leave the country.
Visa Violators
Individuals who overstay their visit, tourist, work, medical or business visa after it expires are classified as visa violators.
If the non-compliant visitor wishes to join a new employer, the new employer will submit a request for a new work permit service to the MoHRE or GDRFA, depending on which jurisdiction the entity falls under.
However, if a noncompliant visitor wishes to depart the country, they will submit a request for departure clearance services through the GDRFA.
Fugitive, expired work permit
Individuals whose residence permit and work permit issued by the MoHRE have both expired and who were employed in the business sector or as domestic workers in households have the following options:
A. If the violating worker wishes to remain with his/her current employer, the current employer will apply for the renewal of the work permit through the Ministry of Labor and the contractual relationship will continue after the procedure is completed.
If an employer has previously filed an absconding complaint against a worker but now wishes to reinstate the labour contract and continue the contract, the employer can apply for a work permit renewal service through the MoHRE without first having to withdraw the absconding complaint.
B. If the violating worker wishes to work for a new employer, the new employer will apply for the issuance of a work permit for the violating worker.
They also have the option to submit an application for exit permit through the GDRFA to complete their exit formalities and leave the UAE.