Dubai: In UAE, More than 1,000 people legalised their residency status in Dubai on Day 1 of the visa amnesty scheme which began on Sunday, a top official told on Monday morning.

During the two-month grace period that ends on October 31, violators of residency laws can escape legal action, including a ban and fines, by either leaving the country or regularising their status without paying any fees.

 Overstayers who wish to leave the UAE must apply for the visa amnesty in the emirate where their residency was issued, the authority in Dubai has clarified.

In a statement, Lieutenant General Mohamed Ahmed Al Marri,Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai said that “Holders of residencies issued in other emirates who wish to leave the country must visit the emirate from which the residency was issued.” Amnesty centres in Dubai, including the 86 Amer centres and the special tents arranged at GDRFA Al Awir centre, completed the procedures to legalise the residency status of more than 1,000 illegal expats yesterday.

Those who wish to continue residing in Dubai after regularising their status can follow up with the emirate. “If they wish to remain in the country and obtain a job opportunity in the Emirate of Dubai, they can follow up on amending their status with Dubai Residency, regardless of their file with the other emirates,” the statement added.

This directive comes as part of the ongoing amnesty programme, which aims to assist overstayers in regularising their status and either leaving the country or securing employment opportunities.