Pakistani missions in UAE advise national to use visa amnesty scheme

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Embassy in Abu Dhabi and its Consulate in Dubai have advised Pakistani nationals staying illegally in the UAE to make use of the visa amnesty scheme that will commence on Aug. 1.
“The UAE government has announced a three-month visa amnesty scheme for all the foreigners staying here illegally,” said the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi in a statement.
“Under the amnesty, individuals whose visa term has expired can leave the United Arab Emirates without facing any legal case. Additionally, these people can also restore their legal status by paying the requisite fee,” the statement added.
The scheme will start on Aug. 1 and continue till October 2018.
“All Pakistanis who are illegally residing in the UAE are prompted to benefit from this scheme, legitimize their stay or legally return to Pakistan,” urged the embassy.
The Pakistan Embassy also advised its nationals living in the UAE to stay in touch with welfare sections in Abu Dhabi and Dubai for more information.
“All those who do not have travel documents (passports) should contact Pakistan’s Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Consulate-General of Pakistan in Dubai,” the embassy notice reads.
About 1.2 million Pakistanis are living in the UAE, working in different sectors.
In June, the UAE cabinet, chaired by H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, adopted a number of strategic decisions on foreign workers’ insurance in the private sector, as well as a legislative package of visa facilitation.
“The cabinet adopted a decision to grant people overstaying their visa a chance to leave the country voluntarily without a “no entry” passport stamp. A new six-month visa will be introduced for jobseekers who overstayed their visa but wish to work in the country, the UAE cabinet said in a statement on its website.

Pakistani missions in UAE advise national to use visa amnesty scheme