UAE firms can process labour cards for amnesty seekers without fines, confirms top official

Authorities in Dubai have confirmed that companies in the UAE can now process labour cards for overstaying employees without incurring fines, as part of the ongoing amnesty program. 

The initiative, launched on September 1, 2024, allows illegal residents to regularize their status or leave the country without penalties. 

Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, director general of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), emphasized that fines have been waived to provide a fresh start for those who want to stay and work legally.

Companies are already taking advantage of the amnesty, with examples like a transportation company that successfully applied for a labour card for an employee without paying fines. 

The amnesty, which runs for two months, has also attracted companies looking to hire skilled and unskilled workers. 

Some companies, like Hotpack, have set up counters at the GDRFA tent in Al Awir to conduct interviews and hire workers on the spot. 

Experts are urging overstaying residents to use this opportunity to regularize their status and avoid future penalties. 

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/life-and-living/visa-and-immigration-in-uae/uae-all-fines-removed-for-overstayers-seeking-amnesty-top-official-confirms