GDRFA Dubai discusses modification of residency status for defendants
DUBAI 26 July 2018: Major General Mohammed Al Marri, Director-General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA), received a number of consular representatives in Dubai, with the aim of strengthening cooperation with regard to the modification of the residency status for defendants.
He met with consular officials of:
- India
- Bangladesh
- China
- Ethiopia
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Kenya
- Sri Lanka and
- Indonesia
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship has announced that the amnesty for illegal residents in the UAE will last for three months, starting 1 August 2018.
The initiative called ‘Protect Yourself by Modifying Your Status’ will allow foreign nationals to regularise their status by:
- Either leaving the UAE without paying a fine and without facing a return immigration ban (only those who entered illegally will be subject to a two-year entry ban), or
- By changing their sponsorship inside the country
- Those who decide to depart will be issued an exit permit valid for ten days.
- Those who wish to remain in the UAE will have to provide documents from their new sponsor before a residence visa can be granted
- Those without a confirmed job offer will be given a six-month temporary residence status to secure new employment in the UAE under the supervision of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
It is not yet clear how the unemployed foreign nationals will be able to fill up the available positions, said immigration specialist firm of Fragomen.
Service centres
Nine service centres are established across the country to assist individuals with the application process, in addition to a toll-free number 800-80 for phone inquiries.
Meanwhile Al Marri, accompanied by Brigadier-General Khalaf Ahmed Al Ghaith, Director-General Assistant of Follow-up Sector of Violators and Foreigners in Dubai. Lieutenant Ghazi Al Nuaimi, Deputy Assistant Director of Follow-up Affairs; Lieutenant Abdullah Atiq, Deputy Assistant Director of Investigation Affairs; Lieutenant Jassim Ahli, Director of the Entry Permit Department, and a number of senior officers and officials, inspected the facilities prepared for the reception of residents to adjust their conditions during the period spanning 1st August to 31st October.
“This cooperation with the consulates in Dubai will contribute significantly to conveying our message to violators of the need to cooperate with the concerned authorities to change their situation without hesitation or fear, and to respond to all their inquiries,” Al Marri said.
Al Marri added that Dubai is keen to provide good support and facilities to disabled residents to help them enjoy of a decent life in the country, in addition to achieving the vision of the leadership that the UAE community is completely free of violators.
Brigadier-General Al Ghaith appealed to violators to respond to the deadline and take advantage of this opportunity to amend their status to avoid legal accountability by visiting the designated offices at the headquarters of the follow-up sector of the violators (foreigners) in the Al Aweer area or through the Customers Happiness Centres. He said they should submit applications, explain their situation in detail, and complete the necessary supporting documents in case of need from other parties to correct their status.