UAE eases passport validity requirement for amnesty seekers

The passport validity requirement for visa amnesty applications in the UAE has been reduced from six months to one month.

The latest directive allows amnesty seekers to amend their status without needing to renew their passports if they have less than six months left.

This was announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) as part of efforts to make it easier for visa violators to take advantage of the grace period that runs until October 31.

Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of the ICP, said that the latest update is designed to help applicants overcome challenges related to passport renewals through their countries' embassies.

The UAE's two-month amnesty programme, which was launched on September 1, gives visa violators the chance to either leave the country without facing a ban or remain in the country by obtaining a job opportunity.

قررت الهيئة الاتحادية للهوية والجنسية والجمارك وأمن المنافذ تعديل مدة صلاحية جواز السفر المطلوبة كشرط لقبول طلب تصحيح أوضاع المخالفين من 6 أشهر إلى شهر واحد فقط خلال فترة مهلة تصحيح أوضاع المخالفين التي أطلقتها الهيئة اعتبارًا من الأول من سبتمبر الجاري ولمدة شهرين، وذلك بهدف… pic.twitter.com/3cBBK12qBV

— Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security UAE (@UAEICP) September 24, 2024