UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has issued an order to exempt all migrants whose entry and residency permits expired before 1 March from all fines and administrative restrictions, provided that they leave the UAE before 31 December 2020. The previous deadline was 17 November.

In the past, the UAE has issued several such exemptions for irregular migrants due to disruptions caused by Covid-19. But as some countries have still not resumed flights and the inability for migrants to afford repatriation tickets, many are still left stranded in UAE. 

Those whose visas expired after 1 March are not included in the grace period and will incur fines as of 11 August.

UAE residents who are still outside of the country and whose visa expired after 1 March and have stayed out of the country for a period of six months or more will be granted a waiver on any fees effective from the date of the resumption of airspace between UAE and the respective sending country as determined by the ICA.