UAE visa amnesty to be powered by AI to streamline process

In September, two-month initiative will offer pardon to people living in the Emirates without proper papers

A busy immigration centre in Dubai during the 2018 visa amnesty. Antonie Robertson / The National

The UAE will use artificial intelligence to help streamline procedures for its residency visa amnesty campaign in support of people with expired documentation.

The government announced on Thursday it will begin a two-month drive in September to allow people with lapsed visas to resolve their status or leave the UAE without fines.

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) – which will oversee the scheme – has since held an extraordinary meeting to discuss plans for the campaign.

During the amnesties held in 2007, 2013 and 2018 tens of thousands of people visited immigration centres.

A similar initiative was also held in 2020 in aid of people stranded in the Emirates because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The meeting in Abu Dhabi was led by Maj Gen Suhail Juma Al Khaili, acting director of the ICP.

He confirmed that the authority will use digital services and artificial intelligence for the amnesty to simplify procedures, in line with an effort to cut government bureaucracy.

The authority has said more details will be revealed soon on how the amnesty will operate.

“The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security aims to provide violators with a new opportunity to regularise their status in accordance with the law, as a gesture that reflects the values of compassion and tolerance upon which the UAE is built,” it said.

What are the overstay fines?

The financial penalty has been standardised at Dh50 ($13.60) a day for tourists or residents who overstay their visas, following updates by the ICP in October 2022.

Residency visa holders are given six months to leave the country or change their status by finding a job once their visa expires or is cancelled.

The amnesty will support those who remain in the country beyond the six-month grace period.

UAE visa amnesty 2018 – in pictures