DUBAI: Nearly 10000 illegal stayers left UAE

Nissar Hoath / 6 January 2013
Khaleej Times
More than 20,000 illegal residents have approached the centres for amnesty-seekers across the Emirates to leave the country without any punishment, during the current two-month amnesty period.

According to the Ministry of Interior, by January 2, just before the amnesty’s halfway mark, the number of illegal residents from across the country to seek amnesty at immigration departments had reached 20,391. The amnesty began on December 4.
“Of these, 9,453 have already left for their home countries. By February 4, we expect all the illegal residents to have left the country or legalised their statuses. The response is very encouraging from the people volunteering to leave the country without any legal action or penalties,” said Brigadier Dr Abdullah Ali bin Sahoo, head of Media Committee for the Amnesty Campaign at the Ministry of Interior, who is also Director-General of the Sharjah Residency and Foreigners Affairs Directorate.
The ministry in November announced the two-month general pardon for illegal residents to leave the country or change their status to legal, with the help of a legitimate employer, without any punishment.
Dr Abdullah said those approaching the amnesty centres to leave came from 106 countries, reflecting the dynamic presence of multi-national residents in the UAE.
He urged other illegal residents to visit and register at their nearest amnesty centres to avail the offer of leaving the country in a dignified manner, and he warned that after the end of the pardon period, any illegal resident found in the country would face imprisonment and financial penalties.
He warned both legal expatriates and UAE nationals against harbouring illegal residents, for which, he added, there was a fine of Dh50,000 for every individual harboured or given support to live in the country illegally.
“I invite all the legal expatriates and UAE nationals to cooperate with the authorities to help achieve this mission of clearing the country from illegal residents successfully within these two months. The media can also play an important role in this campaign. The amnesty has been declared in theinterest of the country and, therefore, it is the duty of all of us to make it a success,” said Dr Abdullah.

The official said all kinds of media sources, including newspapers, radio, TV channels and social networks, were being engaged for the campaign.

The ministry was also working alongside diplomatic missions in the country, who were facilitating their citizens by issuing them out-passes before February 4 in order to take advantage of the reprieve.
Dr Abdullah said those who wanted to seek amnesty could also call the toll free number 8005111 to inquire about the procedures and paperwork required.