The UAE government’s Amnesty 2024 program, effective from 1st September to 30th October 2024, offers an opportunity for Nepali migrant workers living in the UAE to either legalize their residency status or return home without incurring fines or legal penalties. This initiative comes as a major relief for thousands of undocumented Nepali workers who have overstayed their visas or violated immigration regulations.
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Key Points of Amnesty 2024
Eligibility for Amnesty
The Amnesty 2024 program applies to Nepali workers who:
- Have expired Working Visas or Visit Visas.
- Have overstayed, run away, or violated UAE immigration laws.
- Wish to legalize their stay or return to Nepal without facing fines or bans.
Application Process
To benefit from the program, workers must:
- Apply for an Emirates ID, or a job offer letter, or initiate a visa status change at the Emirates or Federal Immigration offices.
- Those with expired Residence Visas can exit the UAE without paying fines.
Nepali workers with residence visas who wish to remain in the UAE can also apply for a visa change or seek new employment. To do this, they must visit immigration centres in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or other Emirates.
Return to Nepal
For workers returning to Nepal:
- Those without a passport must apply for a Travel Document (TD) at the Nepal Embassy.
- Fines must be cleared with a Fine Clearance Letter from the Police Report Office and clearance obtained from the Immigration Office.
The Impact of Amnesty on Nepali Workers
Nepali Ambassador to the UAE, Tej Bahadur Chhetri, highlighted that 5,000 to 10,000 Nepali nationals living illegally in the UAE could benefit from this amnesty. The UAE authorities are fully cooperating to assist Nepali nationals in legalizing their status or returning home.
The Nepal Embassy in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) and other community organizations, has set up help desks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to assist those seeking amnesty. These centers provide guidance on the application process, visa status changes, and repatriation options.
Required Documents for Repatriation and Clearance
- One-Way Travel Permit (TD) for those without valid passports.
- A Fine Clearance Letter from the Police Report Office to clear any outstanding fines.
Once fines are cleared, the Immigration Office will issue the necessary documents for departure.
Contact Information and Assistance
For assistance with the amnesty process, the Nepal Embassy has designated a Focal Person and provided WhatsApp numbers for inquiries:
- Embassy Focal Person: 0502177901
- Additional contact numbers for various regions, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, are available for support.
A Cooperative Effort to Help Nepali Nationals
During a meeting between Ambassador Chhetri and General Lieutenant Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, Marri expressed his full cooperation in helping Nepali nationals under the amnesty program.
The Amnesty 2024 program offers a vital opportunity for undocumented Nepali workers in the UAE to resolve their immigration status or return home without penalties. The Nepal Embassy is working tirelessly to ensure that all eligible Nepalis can benefit from this initiative, providing a fresh start for thousands of Nepali nationals.
For more information, visit the Nepal Embassy’s website or contact their help desk via WhatsApp.
