Dubai: The Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates has been supporting the Sri Lankan community in the UAE during the ongoing United Arab Emirates Amnesty programme – 2024, which commenced on 01 September 2024 and will continue until 31 December 2024. The programme provides an opportunity for individuals to regularize their visa status or return to Sri Lanka without facing penalties.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka, statistics related to the Amnesty programme from 01 September to 31 October 2024 indicate that 8513 individuals visited the Consulate General during regular consular hours and special amnesty consular hours seeking assistance and services. During this period, 1128 passport applications were accepted. Additionally, 960 Temporary Travel Documents (TTDs) and 252 Non-Machine-Readable Passports (NMRP) have been issued to those who do not hold a valid passport or have lost their passport.

Furthermore, 1175 air tickets have been purchased through special count
ers of SriLankan Airlines and Fits Air located at the Consulate General premises. The Consulate General urges all Sri Lankans without a valid passport and those who have lost their passport to apply for a Temporary Travel Document (TTD) at the earliest, allocating sufficient time to process the request for a UAE outpass and return to Sri Lanka.

The Consulate General remains committed to assisting the Sri Lankan community during this amnesty period and encourages all eligible individuals to make use of the available services to regularize their visa status or return home safely.