The amnesty period begins on August 1 and lasts until October…

A three-month amnesty is scheduled to begin in the UAE on Wednesday, August 1 that will allow people living and working illegally in the UAE to correct their status without fear of legal repercussion.

It offers the chance for anyone who has overstayed their visa or absconded from their employer to leave the country voluntarily without receiving a no entry stamp, to transfer to a new sponsor or acquire a new six-month job seekers visa.

Another surprising facet of the amnesty that has come to light is the potential for former residents that have been banned from entering the UAE may be able to use this opportunity to have their ban lifted.

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In an article from Gulf News, an official source is cited as saying that former residents who received an entry ban while leaving the country could file for a tourist, visit, residence or investor visa during the amnesty period – so long as they have no pending legal cases against them and have not been convicted and served prison sentences in the UAE for any serious crimes.

Each case will be scrutinised individually, with even those who have served a jail sentence for minor crimes possibly being considered for reentry, the article states.

In addition, anyone banned from returning due to violations of the residency laws such as absconding or overstaying their visa will likely be able to return during the amnesty period.

In order to handle the incoming volume of amnesty claims, nine centres have been set up in he Shahama area in Abu Dhabi, Aweer area in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Al Ain and Dhafra and will be open from 8:00am to 8:00pm Sunday to Thursday.

A call centre has also been established to answer questions and queries.

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