UAE amnesty: Illegal Bangladeshi’s AED 1.3 million overstay fine waived

A 22-year-old Bangladeshi in the UAE emirate of Umm Al Quwain has made history of sorts by availing amnesty benefits of probably unprecedented proportions.

According to a local news report, the unnamed man lived his entire life as an illegal resident and showed up on the second day of the three-month initiative announced by the UAE.

He was born in Umm Al Quwain managed to get a waiver worth Dh1.3 million in overstay fines, the Khaleej Times report said.

According to Col Khalid Yousef bin Hudibah, executive director of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Umm Al Quwain, who was quoted in the report, the Bangladeshi became a legal resident as part of the amnesty.

“He had his birth certificate and passport, but never had a residency visa issued. Only with the help of this amnesty program was he able to amend his status and become a legal resident,” Col bin Hudibah is quoted to have said.

The center processed 215 applications in the first two days of the amnesty and is said to be tackling more applicants than previous amnesties. “It is a priceless chance for anyone to go home without paying fines, or get a six-month visa to find a job,” he said.