6-month visa not a residence permit

Leaving the country will cancel the temporary visa, official says

Unlike the regular, sponsored residence visa, the temporary visa granted to amnesty-seekers does not entitle them same privileges and rights

The six-month visa granted to amnesty seekers only entitles them to stay in the country but not leave and come back, a senior official said yesterday.

Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, acting director-general for Foreigners Affairs and Ports at the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship clarified that unlike the regular, sponsored residence visa, the temporary six-month visa granted to amnesty-seekers does not entitle them the same privileges and rights.

“The temporary visa only entitles amnesty-seekers to stay in the country for six months, but they cannot leave the country and come back. If they leave, the visa will be cancelled automatically,” Brigadier Al Rashidi said. Brigadier Rashidi categorically dismissed what was recently published by a daily newspaper. He said those who wish to come back need to obtain a residence visa for work or a tourist or visit visa.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship has recently extended the amnesty for one more month to December 1. The authority can be contacted via the call centre (80080).

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