Those whose visa has expired can leave country without penalty, uae sets december 31 as deadline | Those whose visa has expired can leave the UAE without penalty, with a deadline of December 31

Dubai: Unauthorized persons residing in the UAE for reasons including expiration of their visa will be able to return home without penalty. Officials said such illegal occupants would be released from the UAE by December 31 without penalty and those who wished should take advantage of the opportunity. Passengers traveling through Dubai airports must notify the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (ACA) 48 hours in advance.

Visitors, tourist and residency visas expiring before March 1 are eligible for a waiver of the fine. Leaving the country within this year will result in a fine. Those whose visas have expired at Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah airports must arrive at a special center at the airport at least 6 hours prior to departure to obtain a short-term amnesty exemption.

Departures via Dubai and Al Maktoum International Airports must report to the Dubai Civil Aviation Security Center 48 hours prior to departure. Unauthorized occupants of expired visas are required to book a return flight ticket before the 31st of this month. The short-term amnesty, which began on May 14, was due to end on November 17. But the authorities had decided to extend it till December 31.