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UAE Grants Visa Fine Exemptions, Sudanese Overstayers Thankful

  • Publish date: Sunday، 21 May 2023
UAE Grants Visa Fine Exemptions, Sudanese Overstayers Thankful

The recent announcement made by the UAE stating that Sudanese nationals will not be required to pay fines resulting from violations of the law regarding entry and residency of foreigners has been welcomed by Sudanese visitors who have overstayed their visas or have expired residency permits.

Musa, a Sudanese tourist who arrived in the UAE in February to visit his family and friends, can now feel relieved as he no longer has to worry about accruing fines for overstaying. Musa had originally planned to return to Sudan in mid-April to celebrate Eid Al Fitr.

However, due to the violent skirmishes that broke out between two armed factions in Sudan on April 15, Khartoum International Airport was closed.

On Friday, the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) made an announcement stating that Sudanese citizens who have expired visas and residency permits, as well as those whose work contracts or departure deadlines from the UAE have expired, are included in the groups that will be exempted from fines starting from April 15 of this year.

ICP stated: “The move is in line with the UAE’s approach and noble humanitarian values, as well as the keenness of its wise leadership to provide decent lives to Sudanese residents in the country. Those who have expired visas and residency permits or whose work contracts or departure deadlines from the UAE have ended are among the categories exempted from fines."