Pakistan Embassy in UAE Requests NADRA Support for Amnesty Scheme 2024

The Pakistan Embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has formally requested the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in Pakistan to allow the operationalization of NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) and immigration and passport office portals in response to the recently announced amnesty by the Dubai government. This request is aimed at facilitating Pakistani citizens who are eager to take advantage of the grace period offered by the UAE authorities to regularize their visa status.

According to sources, the Pakistani ambassador in the UAE has sent an official letter to the MoI, highlighting the urgent need to open NADRA and Passport sections in Pakistan on August 17, 2024, specifically for Dubai. The UAE government has introduced a two-month grace period starting from September 1, 2024, during which violators of visa regulations can have their fines waived. This amnesty period offers a crucial opportunity for expatriates, including the Pakistani community, to regularize their visa status in accordance with UAE laws.

The amnesty has led to a significant influx of Pakistani nationals visiting the Embassy and Consulate General of Pakistan in the UAE for various consular services. These services include obtaining NADRA documents, Machine Readable Passports (MRP), and attestation of documents, all of which are essential for availing of the amnesty scheme. The embassy emphasized that timely processing of these documents is vital for Pakistani expatriates to benefit from the grace period announced by the UAE government.

In light of the increased demand for consular services, the Embassy and Consulate General of Pakistan in the UAE have decided to remain open on the upcoming Saturdays. This extended service will provide additional opportunities for Pakistani citizens to access necessary consular services, including NADRA and passport-related services.

To ensure the smooth functioning of these extended services, the embassy has sought the cooperation of NADRA and the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DG IMPASS) to allow their staff in the UAE to operationalize their portals on August 17, 2024. This will enable the embassy to handle the increased workload efficiently and help the Pakistani community in the UAE to complete their documentation in a timely manner.

The embassy’s request underscores the importance of providing swift and effective consular support to Pakistani expatriates in the UAE during this crucial amnesty period. The collaboration between the Pakistan Embassy, NADRA, and the MoI is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring that Pakistani citizens in the UAE can fully utilize the opportunity to regularize their visa status and avoid potential penalties.