Dubai sees sharp rise in visa overstays

The National -- Dubai's immigration department said about 25,000 people have overstayed their residency visa so far this year - more than twice the total seen in 2016 - with many hit with fines running into tens of thousands of dirhams.

Job losses and illnesses were among the common reasons for individuals and families having their visa cancelled but continuing to live in the country.

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), which released the latest figures on Monday, said that while some people attempt to work illegally in the country, it was sympathetic to those in "harsh situations that are beyond their control". About 12,000 cases were recorded in 2016.

Officials said 11,000 people applied to a special 'humanitarian committee' that looks at the reasons for breaching immigration rules. In 9,000 of those cases it reduced the fine amount or cancelled it altogether.

“Sometimes, people experience harsh situations that are beyond their control. We have to listen to them and consider these conditions,” said Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, director general of the GDRFA.

“We give an opportunity for illegal residents to come to the department to apply for a pardon and acquire information about the procedures that they need to follow, to remove the fines against them and renew their residential visas."

The department's Humanitarian Centre looks at the appeal cases and weighs up the situation that non legal residents are in, including if they are from a country where there is conflict, and any financial problems they may have.