Tough penalty against illegal residents caught after amnesty

Authorities have warned that those who are caught staying illegally in the country after the end of the three-month amnesty programme will have to face tough penalties.
The Protect Yourself by Modifying Your Status initiative that granted a three-month time for illegal residents to modify their status or leave the UAE without facing fines or legal issues since August 1, will end on Wednesday.
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship has urged the people still living illegally in the UAE to avail of the last few days of the amnesty scheme to rectify their status or get exit passes and leave the country.
Authorities will launch intensive campaigns across the country to crack down on residency law violators after the end of the amnesty initiative and those who are caught will face tough punishments including fines, jail sentences and deportation.
During the authority's meeting on Wednesday, Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi, chairman of the board of directors of FAIC, thanked all teams at the amnesty registration centres across the UAE for the tireless efforts and good services they have rendered to amnesty-seekers.
"All those illegal residents who haven't registered for amnesty should do so immediately and avail of this great opportunity in the remaining days to avoid problems," said Al Shamsi.
"After the end of the amnesty period, intensive campaigns will be conducted across the country and those caught violating residency laws will face tough penalties."
Firms employing illegal residents have also been told to avail of the amnesty scheme and rectify the status of their workers to avoid facing hefty fines. Officials said the amnesty centres have issued exit passes to a large number of illegal residents, who wanted to exit the country since the beginning of the amnesty initiative.
Those who sought to rectify their status to remain in the UAE and look for jobs after being granted a six-month temporary residence visa have also been dealt with by the Amer and Tasheel centres across the country.
Amnesty-seekers are received and registered at the nine service centres of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs across the UAE.
The amnesty registration service centres operate from 8am to 8pm Sunday to Thursday.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com