Here's how Indian citizens in UAE can apply for visa fine waiver

Indian missions in the UAE have called on its citizens to take advantage of the fine-waiver scheme for those whose UAE visas expired before March 1.

They have also outlined the process involved in applying for the scheme, which is valid until August 17.

Applicants have to submit a form with all their supporting documents at least seven working days before the intended date of travel to India.

The documents can be emailed to the embassy (Abu Dhabi) or consulate (Dubai) or placed in drop boxes outside the missions.

As per the UAE government's fine-waiver scheme announced in May, all foreign residents whose visas expired before March 1, 2020 or whose stay was not regularised, were given a three-month grace period (starting May 18) to exit the country without paying fines.

Here's the full list of the Indian Embassy's guidelines for Indian nationals in the UAE:

  • The concerned persons need to send an application, including details of their passport, local contact/mobile number, email address, visa copy etc with supporting documents to ca.abudhabi@mea.gov.in (for Abu Dhabi cases) and cons2.dubai@mea.gov.in (for Dubai and Northern Emirates Cases). It should be sent at least 7 working days before the intended date of travel to India.
  • If people are not able to scan or send documents by email, they are advised to drop their applications in the drop boxes outside Embassy/Consulate for this purpose. Copy of passport (first, last and visa page) and phone number etc are required. In case of visit visa, a copy of the visa should also be enclosed.
  • Any Indian national desirous of availing this opportunity of waiver of visa fines should also ensure that they are in possession of a valid travel document to travel to India (Passport).  In case, they are not in possession of  passport, they can approach the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Indian Consulate in Dubai for issuance of a Passport/Emergency certificate, as the case may be, before applying for the visa fine waiver. It may be noted that once the EC is issued, the passport is automatically cancelled in the system and cannot be used. A person travelling on an Emergency Certificate would need to apply for a fresh passport only upon arrival in India.
  • Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi/Consulate General of India, Dubai will ensure that these applications are forwarded to the concerned UAE authorities at the earliest possible for processing and will inform the concerned persons by phone/email once their request of waiver/visa fines is approved by UAE authorities (for which they require at least 5 working days) after which they should leave the country at the earliest possible.
  • It may please be noted that crowding outside Embassy or Consulate is to be strictly avoided, especially in these COVID times. Coordinated efforts of all stakeholders will make this programme a success.

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