Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The UAE government has given illegal foreign workers two months to either return to their home countries or legalize their status.
According to the Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi, the UAE government has issued a visa amnesty program effective from September 1 to October 30. The embassy has clarified that after there would be no problems in visiting or working in the UAE after their status is legalized. The embassy has urged Nepali workers, who previously entered the UAE on work or visit visas and had either run away or overstayed, resulting in fines or immigration issues, to take advantage of the visa amnesty program.
Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director-General of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), said in a press conference last week that this initiative reflects the humanitarian aspect of the UAE and its commitment to upholding the principles of respect for the rule of law, and the values of tolerance and compassion in society. “The beneficiaries of this decision include four main categories: visa violators, residency violators, individuals listed in administrative reports or those who have abandoned their work, and foreign-born children whose guardians have not regularized their residency,” he added.
Bishal Bhattarai, the spokesperson for the Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi, said that the UAE government is offering this opportunity for illegal residents, including workers, to regularize their status. “Since illegal workers have been allowed to either legalize their status or return to their country without fines. We urge them to make use of this opportunity,” he said.
The embassy has also requested the Non-Resident Nepali Association, Nepali social organizations in the UAE, and media personnel to widely publicize the amnesty program.
According to a notice published by the embassy, those who complete the process through UAE Immigration will receive a free one-time travel permit. Those, who receive a one-time travel permit, must leave the UAE within 14 days. Such individuals, however, will have to arrange flights on their own.
The embassy estimates that more than 100,000 Nepalis are currently working in the UAE illegally.
