Consulate General of India

Dubai

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

[Disclaimer: The information given below has been compiled based on briefings by various local authorities and information available publicly. While the Consulate has taken care of the authenticity it cannot be held liable for any discrepancy.] 

Q: Who are the people eligible to avail Amnesty 2018 scheme?
A: A person who has violated UAE visa before 1 August 2018 can avail Amnesty 2018. Any violator after 31 July 2018 will be charged.

Q: Where should one approach to avail the Amnesty 2018 scheme?
A: Dubai visa holders should approach Aweer Immigration centre and Indian nationals who are holding visas from other Emirates should approach the Immigration Authorities in their respective Emirates for exiting the country. Applicants, who intend to regularize their stay in UAE, need to approach Amer Centres.

Q: Will full fine be waived off or is there any nominal fine?
A: There is no fine for overstay but some fees will be charged by the UAE Government.

Q: What are the charges for issuing exit permit?
A: A fee of AED 221 will need to be paid for UAE exit permit. An Immigration fee of AED 521 will need to be paid for those who wish to regularize their visa status.

Q: What are the documents required for obtaining the exit permit?
A: Original passport or Emergency Certificate will be required to obtain exit permit.

Q: What is the time period to exit the country after issuance of exit permit?
A: Applicants should exit the country within 21 days of issuance of the exit permit.

Q: What is the time period to get exit permit?
A: After scanning of biometrics, exit permit will be issued immediately.

Q: Is police clearance report required in cases of lost passport?
A:  In these cases, applicants have to  first visit Aweer Immigration. After checking their records, Immigration Authorities will issue a document which will verify whether the applicant has absconding status or not. In case of absconding status, the Consulate will issue Emergency Certificate without police report for loss of  passport. Otherwise police report is required for loss of passport.

Q: What is the duration of ban and who will be imposed with the ban?
A: A ban of 2 years will be imposed on applicants who have entered UAE illegally without proper travel documents. There is no ban for applicants who exit the country during Amnesty.

Q: Can residents with pending court cases utilize the Amnesty scheme?
A: Clearance from the Court will need to be obtained prior to availing the Amnesty scheme. Only overstay issues will be considered by the Immigration.

Q: Can those who have absconding report against them apply for Amnesty?
A: Depending on the facts of the case, Immigration authorities may remove the absconding report and issue Exit permit without ban. A fee of AED 71 will be charged if absconding case has been filed by government institutions, AED 121 if filed by individuals and AED 521 if filed by companies.

Q: Where should the applicant approach for clearing his absconding report?
A: The applicant should approach the Immigration offices in their respective Emirates where their visa was issued.

Q: Should the labour card be cancelled prior to approaching the Immigration authorities in cases where the sponsor has absconded?
A: Yes, the labour card should be cancelled first before approaching the Immigration authorities.

Q: How can an applicant retrieve his/her passport which is submitted by the sponsor to the Immigration?
A: In such cases, after verification in the system, the applicant will be directed to the concerned Immigration authorities and the passport will be handed over to the applicant. A large number of  passports deposited with Immigration authorities in  Dubai have been given to the Consulate. A list of all such passports has been uploaded on our website. Applicants can check this list and if their passports are  reflected in the list, they can approach the Consulate for collection.

Q: Can a minor born in UAE who has not been registered with the UAE health authorities, avail the amnesty scheme?
A: In such cases, the parents of the minor should register a complaint with the local police, complete a DNA test to verify the parentage after which the necessary travel documents will be issued to the minor.

Q: What are the requirements for workers working in Free Zones to avail the Amnesty scheme?
A: The workers from Free Zones can approach their respective Immigration offices directly.

Q: What are the documents required for the applicants who wish to regularize their visa status and continue to stay in UAE?
A: The applicants should approach Amer Centre with letter of sponsor for regularizing their visa status and get new visa.

Q: What is the procedure for applicants who wish to stay in the UAE for six months and look for a job?
A: Applicants need to register directly with Ministry of Human Resource and Emiratisation on their website:www.mohre.gov.ae. The names registered in the MoHRE’s website will be given preference for jobs, but there is no certainty of getting a job.

Q: What should be done in case a person stays for 6 months in UAE to look for job opportunities (as per the Amnesty scheme) but fails to find a job or a sponsor?
A: The person will have to leave UAE before the expiration of 6 months. However, they can come to UAE again for visit/employment purposes.

Q: Can the Amnesty scheme be availed if the violator has fines other than overstaying?
A: Yes, however fines other than overstaying will not be waived off.
Q: What is the time period to regularize visa status? 
A: The applicants can regularize their visas within the Amnesty period i.e. before 31 October 2018.

Q: In cases where there are family issues i.e, if the husband has police case/unknown whereabouts, can the family approach for amnesty?
A: Yes, the family can approach directly for exit permit.

Q: If any one of the parent of a minor is outside country, can the single parent (either mother/father) apply for exit permit?
A: Yes, such requests will be considered for exit permit.

Q: What documents are required for passport renewal?
A: i) Original passport which should not have expired more than 6 months ago.
ii) Photocopy of first two pages, last two pages and visa stamped pages of the passport.
iii) 5 recent photographs with white background of size 51mm x 51mm in full frontal face view.
iv) Application form with details matching the old passport.
v) Any change with respect to old passport must be supported by relevant documents.
vi) Personal Particular Form in case old passport is issued by other Passport Issuing Authority.
vii) Physical presence.

Q: Where can I download the required Application form for Passport/Emergency Certificate?
A:http://www.blsindiavisa-uae.com/passport/passport-form-download.php

Q: What additional documents are required in case the passport is expired for more than 6 months and what is the time required to get the passport?
A: Expiration period between 6 months and 3 years: An application explaining the reasons for non-renewal needs to be submitted at the Consulate and a new application then made at BLS. The new passport will be issued after minimum 5 working days.
For passports which expired more than 3 years ago: An application explaining the reasons for non-renewal needs to be submitted at the Consulate and a new application then made at BLS. However, it must be noted that the processing of passport will take at least 4-6 weeks as police clearance from India will be required in these cases. Such applicants are requested to apply early keeping in view the approval time.

Q: Will I get my passport in 5 working days positively?
A: In most cases the passport will be issued within 5 working days. However, this may not be possible when police clearance is needed from India. In such cases the person concerned will be updated accordingly.

Q: If an individual has entered UAE illegally i.e, without proper travel documents, can they apply for Amnesty?
A: Applicants can approach the Consulate with proper explanation mentioning the circumstance under which they entered the UAE  illegally. After verifying their details, Emergency Certificate will be issued with which they can approach Aweer Immigration Dubai for  getting Exit Permit.