The UAE has launched a new amnesty initiative which will enable applicants to receive a six-month temporary residency without the need for a sponsor, a top official of Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship was quoted as saying in a media report.

Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashidy, acting director-general of Foreigners and Ports Affairs at the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship added that the initiative will enable violators to pay to leave their sponsors and leave the country without a deprivation stamp, reported Emirates news agency Wam.

This also applies those who entered the country illegally and are banned from entering again for two years, as well as allowing the transfer of residence for those wishing to modify their status without fines with nominal fees, he explained.

The initiative, titled, 'Protect Yourself by Modifying Your Status' launched by the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship, confirms the UAE's approach to make everyone living in the UAE happy.

The authority revealed that the requests to benefit from the UAE Cabinet resolution to grant the citizens of countries suffering from wars and disasters one-year residency are being processed according to basic procedures through an e-channel at the "Tasheel" printing offices, without the need to check with the authority’s centres for violators, as they will obtain a complete exemption from relevant restrictions.

They will also exempt violators from fines, emphasising that this category will be allowed to work only if the sponsorship has been transferred to the employer.

The initiative reflects the keenness of the UAE government to settle the status of violators, by enabling them to avoid legal repercussions of their violations, Al Rashidy added.

He stressed that this initiative is different from others implemented in previous years, as it grants violators, who voluntarily request to adjust their status, full exemption from fines for delaying the renewal of their identity cards before leaving the country and without being blacklisted, which will enable them to return under a new visa.

He stated that the authority has established nine centres around the country to assist those who have violated the country’s residency law, including in Al Aweer in Dubai and Al Shahama in Abu Dhabi, as well as in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm Al Qaiwain, and Al Ain and Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi.

Al Rashidy pointed out that the centres open from 8:00 hrs to 20:00 hrs from Sundays to Thursdays and highlighted the establishment of a 24-hour call centre that will receive public enquiries on a free number, "80080."

He further said that if the required documents are completed, the period of the transaction will not exceed two working days.

Regarding the UAE Cabinet resolution, Al Rashidy said that the citizens of relevant countries will be granted a one-year residency permit and will be exempt from restrictions and fines.

He noted that violators can adjust their statuses at the nine reception centres around the country, which issue departure licenses and remove escape circulars.

He said that sponsors who wish to renew the residence permits of sponsored violators, as well as citizens from countries that suffer from wars and disasters, should go to the Tasheel centres.