UAE Cracks Down on Visa Violators: Over 6,000 Arrested Post-Amnesty
Mass Arrests in UAE: 6,000 Visa Violators Caught in Nationwide Inspections
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have intensified their crackdown on visa violators, arresting more than 6,000 individuals in a series of targeted inspections following the end of the country’s amnesty scheme on December 31. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) launched over 270 inspection campaigns throughout January under the initiative ‘Towards a Safer Society.’
According to Major-General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director-General of ICP, deportation proceedings are already underway for 93% of those detained. “Inspection campaigns will continue, so we advise the public not to take such violations or violators lightly,” he warned.
UAE: Amnesty Period Gave Violators a Chance to Comply
From September 1 to December 31 last year, the UAE offered a four-month amnesty period, allowing violators to leave the country without facing a re-entry ban or secure legal work permits to remain. Many took advantage of this opportunity to regularize their status, but the crackdown aims to locate and penalize those who failed to comply.
“This initiative helped a significant number of individuals regularize their status following the conclusion of the grace period,” Al Khaili explained. “The authority intensified its inspection campaigns nationwide to locate remaining violators and enforce necessary legal actions against them.”
Strict Legal Consequences for Violators and Their Aiders
Brigadier General Saeed Salem Al Shamsi, Acting Director General of Identity and Foreigners Affairs at ICP, emphasized that legal measures and fines will apply not only to visa violators but also to individuals or businesses that shelter or employ them.
“There will be zero tolerance for violators and those who facilitate their illegal stay,” he stated.
The Entry and Residence of Foreigners Law stipulates strict penalties:
- Anyone aiding or facilitating visa violations faces imprisonment and a fine of no less than Dh10,000.
- Employers hiring violators without being their official sponsor will be fined Dh50,000.
- Workers found employed by anyone other than their legal sponsor face imprisonment, deportation, and a lifetime ban from re-entering the UAE.
Ongoing Inspections to Strengthen Compliance
Despite speculation about new measures to track violators, authorities assert that existing systems are sufficient. “Procedures are already in place, and renewal processes are easy and feasible,” Al Khaili assured.
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