UAE Announces Two-Month Grace Period for Foreign Nationals to Resolve Immigration Status

October 4, 2024 Update: Good news for foreign nationals in the UAE! If your passport has at least one month of validity, you can now take advantage of the amnesty period to regularize your immigration status. Previously, you needed a passport with six months of validity, but this update makes it easier for more people to benefit.

August 30, 2024 Update: If you’re thinking of leaving the UAE during the two-month amnesty window, you can now get a free exit permit, and the fines for overstaying will be waived, as long as you leave within 14 days of getting the permit. But remember, if you don’t exit within those 14 days, the fines will kick back in. The great news is that leaving with an exit permit doesn’t mean you’re banned from returning! You’ll be free to come back to the UAE whenever you like. If you’re planning to stay, you’ll need to submit the necessary documents from your new sponsor to get your new residence permit. Don’t forget to reach out to your immigration provider if you need help with the process.

August 5, 2024 Announcement: Starting from September 1, 2024, if your UAE residence permit has expired, you’re in luck! The government has granted a two-month grace period for you to either regularize your status or leave the country without facing any penalties. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who has overstayed to fix their immigration status, either by exiting without paying fines or by getting their paperwork in order. Usually, when a residence permit is canceled, you get a 30-180 day grace period depending on your permit category, but this amnesty gives everyone an extra blanket period (the last one was in 2018).

Make sure to act within the two-month window, as staying beyond that could result in daily fines (AED 50 per day).

For more information please contact us.