Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ The Consulate General of India in the UAE has implemented several measures to assist Indian nationals in benefiting from the two-month amnesty scheme introduced in the UAE. This scheme allows foreigners residing illegally in the country to either regularize their residency status or leave without facing penalties.
The amnesty scheme is applicable to a wide range of visa categories, including expired residencies, tourist visas, and those without valid documents. However, it excludes individuals who entered the country illegally. The scheme provides the opportunity for eligible individuals to waive fines and fees associated with their illegal stay, and those opting to leave the UAE will not face a travel ban.
Under the program, Indian nationals who wish to return to India can apply for an Emergency Certificate (EC), while those intending to regularize their residency status can apply for a short-validity passport.
To facilitate the process for Indian nationals, the Consulate General of India has set up several support measures. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Indian Consulate announced the establishment of facilitation counters at both the Consulate General of India in Dubai and the Awir Immigration Centre. The facilitation counter at the consulate will be operational from September 2.
Indian nationals can apply for an EC at the consulate free of charge (gratis basis). The consulate stated, “Applicants can request for an EC at the consulate on a gratis basis (free of charge).” Once the application is submitted, the ECs can be collected from the Consulate General of India the next day.
For those seeking to regularize their residency status, they can approach any of the BLS International Centres in Dubai and the Northern Emirates as walk-ins to apply for a short-validity passport. No prior appointment is required for this service.
To accommodate the needs of the applicants during the amnesty period, the BLS centres in Dubai and the Northern Emirates will operate on all Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm. The consulate’s statement emphasized, “BLS centres in Dubai and the Northern Emirates will remain operational on all Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm during the amnesty period to service the requirement of applicants who wish to avail the benefit of the amnesty scheme.”
The measures implemented by the Consulate General of India aim to ensure a smooth process for Indian nationals who wish to benefit from the UAE’s amnesty scheme. By providing facilitation counters, free-of-charge emergency certificates, and extended hours at BLS centres, the consulate is working to assist its citizens in either regularizing their stay or returning to India without penalties. These steps are crucial in supporting the Indian community in navigating the complexities of residency status adjustments during the amnesty period.
