The United Arab Emirates has issued new guidelines for people whose visas are nearing expiry date. The authorities have officially announced that people who have visas that are expiring before March 1 have until December to avail the benefits from the amnesty.

Following this, those people will be exempted from the fine would have otherwise paid, said the authorities. The guidelines for how people can register to avail the service has been issued by the Federal Authority for identity and Citizenship on different social media platforms. 

For those, who continue to stay in the UAE with their expired visas may face fines up to Dh315 for every week they extend their stay, and they will be fined Dh250 more when they choose to leave the country.

Considering those who have been seriously affected by the pandemic, amnesty chose to extend the deadline to the end of this year which was earlier decided to be in August. The amnesty had announced in May that that deadline will be August but a lot of people raised concerns, especially those who are working in the UAE on visas.

Another reason why many of the visa holders have chosen to stay in the UAE itself is because since March, a struct lockdown was implemented in the nation and air travel bans in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

It was also a difficult time for those who had just lost their jobs because their employers were unable to pay them during the pandemic. This led many to apply for new visas seeking for new employment.

This week, the department issued a set of rest step by step guidelines for people seeking benefits owing to their expiry visas. The set of guidelines are issued in two sections one was issued for resident visa holders while the other was for visit visa holders.

Those who have expired resident visas are required to arrive at the airport four hours in advance before their departure times and must carry their flight tickets and passports with them. This should be done before December 31. If the passengers comply with all these rules, all the restrictions and fines that were issued will be cancelled.

People who have dependents sponsored under their visas must bring them for completion of the formalities. It gets a little complicated for the business partners or those coming under the investor category as they will have to liquidate or give up their legal capacity in the company.

While in the case of a visa holder, those making their exits from Abu Dhabi Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah will have to be present in the airport at least six hours before the departure. As far as Dubai International and Al Maktoum International Airport, the passenger must be present 48 hours before the arrival.