UAE Visa Amnesty: Ignoring Comes with Consequences

Mass Deportations in UAE: Grave Consequences for Ignoring Visa Amnesty

In the first half of 2025, authorities in the United Arab Emirates arrested over 32,000 individuals for violating residency rules. Recent reports indicate that many of these individuals have already been deported, while others are still undergoing legal proceedings. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that these individuals previously had the opportunity to regularize their status through the 2024 visa amnesty program, yet many did not take advantage of it.

What was the purpose of the visa amnesty?

Between September 1 and December 31, 2024, the UAE government launched a visa amnesty program that allowed those residing illegally to leave the country without penalty or legalize their status by obtaining legal employment. Due to high demand, authorities extended the program by an additional 60 days.

This initiative not only promoted compliance with immigration rules but also offered the affected individuals a new start. However, many missed the opportunity, partly due to misinformation, false hopes, or simply denial.

Why did many not utilize the amnesty?

According to several community workers, the main reasons included:

Unfounded beliefs that "there’ll be another amnesty."

Failures in job-seeking attempts.

Habituation to living in an illegal status without considering the consequences.

Some registered for the amnesty but later relapsed into irregular status. Others did not attempt at all and continued to live without a visa in the country, risking not only their situation but also that of their employers.

The consequences are severe

Affected individuals now face the following sanctions:

Arrest and deportation – most cannot voluntarily leave the country but are subjected to forced measures.

Blacklisting – in many cases, they are banned from returning for several years or even permanently.

Lack of healthcare – without a visa, they cannot access official healthcare services.

Debt and legal proceedings – many have fallen behind on bank obligations, which can lead to civil and criminal consequences.

Lack of legal protection – particularly for domestic workers without a permit, who are not protected legally by their employers or authorities in case of disputes or crimes.

Increased inspections and employer responsibility

Authorities have announced that even stricter inspections are expected in the future. Employers who hire those residing illegally face substantial fines and other legal sanctions. Social organizations also warn that employing illegal domestic workers is particularly dangerous, as their identity and background are often unknown.

Is there still a chance?

Authorities remain open to dialogue with those who voluntarily come forward and agree to pay fines. In such cases, it is still possible to negotiate fine reductions and avoid entry bans.

Conclusion

The UAE's visa amnesty program provided a unique opportunity for those residing illegally to make a fresh start. However, those who ignored the warnings now face severe consequences. Adhering to legality and regulations is not only key to personal safety but also fundamental for the stability of the entire community.

(Source of the article: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) statement.)