UAE Announces Residency Visa Fine Exemptions for Overstaying Sudanese

The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Nationality, Customs and Port Security announced on 19 May 2023 that Sudanese nationals in the UAE are exempted from all fines incurred for violating the law on entry and residence of foreigners.

Those who will be exempted include those who have expired visas and residency permits after working in the country, or if they have exceeded their stay in the UAE.

ICP said, ‘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.’

The legal decision was made in respect of Sudanese nationals who cannot return to Sudan due to the ongoing war between the country’s army known as Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by the de facto head of state Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Al Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary force led by the de facto deputy head of state General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). Clashes between the two forces began on 15 April 2023 and has since left more than 500 dead, 3,000 injured, 200 missing and 1 million people displaced.

The Director-General of ICP, Major-General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, said, ‘I hope peace and security will return to the country and its people soon’.

About 75,000 Sudanese live in the UAE, mostly in Dubai, for employment or educational purposes.

Similarly, in early May 3023, Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday it has begun extending the duration of Umrah visas for Sudanese pilgrims who are in the country and unable to return home due to the ongoing conflict.

In addition, Saudi Arabia granted free visas for all nationals who have been evacuated from Sudan on a legal basis. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Kingdom had managed to evacuate as many as 5,013 people belonging to 100 countries from Sudan