UAE visa violators at a processing center in 2024. Photo: GDRFA/X
YaHind.Com News Desk
Abu Dhabi, July 24, 2025 – The United Arab Emirates has intensified its efforts to enforce immigration laws, with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) apprehending over 32,000 individuals for violating the country’s Entry and Residency Law from January to June 2025. This large-scale crackdown follows the conclusion of a visa amnesty program that ran from September to December 2024, aimed at allowing violators to regularize their status or leave without penalties.
The arrests were part of the nationwide “Towards a Safer Society” campaign, which included over 270 inspection operations, with a significant drive in February inspecting 4,771 establishments. Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of the ICP, emphasized that the initiative seeks to ensure compliance with residency and employment regulations while promoting a dignified life for residents and visitors. “The goal is to reduce violations and uphold social stability by enforcing the law,” he stated.
Approximately 70% of those detained have been deported after completing legal procedures, with others facing ongoing legal action or detention. The ICP has warned that strict penalties, including fines up to AED 1 million, imprisonment, and re-entry bans, will be imposed on violators and those who employ or shelter them. For instance, employing an undocumented worker without sponsorship incurs a minimum fine of AED 50,000, while aiding violations carries a fine of at least AED 10,000.
The 2024 amnesty program, extended by two months to December 31, saw significant participation, with over 236,000 individuals in Dubai alone benefiting by either securing legal employment or exiting without bans. Despite this, many failed to act, leading to the current enforcement surge. The ICP has vowed to continue inspections with specialized task forces to maintain compliance.
Authorities urge residents and employers to adhere to residency laws, emphasizing that public cooperation is key to ensuring security and social order. The UAE’s commitment to balancing enforcement with humanitarian measures was evident in the amnesty’s success, but officials stress that leniency has now ended, and violators face swift consequences.
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Sources: Agencies
