Grace period to correct visa status extended until April 30

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has extended until April 30 the time limit to correct the illegal status of expatriates, who have violated the provisions of Law No. (21) of 2015 regulating the entry, exit and residence of expatriates.

In a statement on Sunday, the MoI explained this procedure comes within the framework of its keenness to take into account the interests of business owners and expatriate workers to benefit from the 50% reduction in the amount of reconciliation.

Accordingly, all violating expatriates or employers have to submit before April 30, a request for reconciliation at the Search and Follow-up Department or any of the service centres at Umm Salal, Al Rayyan, Mesaimeer, Al Wakra or Umm Sanim that receive requests to transfer from one employer to another.

Meanwhile, reconciliation applications for issuance and renewal of residence permit under the existing employer shall be submitted at any of the service centres at Al Shamal, Al Khor, Al Daayen, Umm Salal, The Pearl, Onaiza, Souq Waqif, Al Rayyan, Umm Senaim, Al Sheehaniya, Mesaimeer, Al Wakra or Dukhan.

The ministry called on all categories benefiting from the offer to correct their status, which include expatriates and companies, to visit the aforementioned department or centers, during the extended period from 1- 6pm.

MoI urged expatriates to adhere to the specified period, to benefit from the reconciliation and avoid facing legal charges.

The following categories can benefit from the grace period:

*Expatriates who violated the residency rules (companies)

*Expatriates who violated the work visa rules

*Domestic workers and the like who have violated the law

*Expatriates who violated family residencies