RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1611
TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2018
INDIANS LIVING ILLEGALLY IN GULF COUNTRIES
1611. SHRI K.C. RAMAMURTHY:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Ministry is aware that more than 70,000 Indians are living illegally in Gulf countries;
(b) if so, the details thereof, country-wise;
(c) whether the Ministry is also aware that UAE has issued a directive to illegal migrants to leave its country and given three months time and has also given one month amnesty period which expired in November this year; and
(d) if so, the manner in which the Ministry is going to help these hapless people for their return and providing them employment, etc.?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) & (b) Ministry is aware that a number of Indians are living illegally in the Gulf countries. The number of such people, however, cannot be quantified as no clear data in this regard is provided by the host governments.
(c) Yes. Amnesty in the UAE was declared for 3 months from August 01, 2018 till October 31, 2018. It was extended up to November 30, 2018 and then further till December 31, 2018.
(d) Through the provisions of the Amnesty Scheme the UAE Government aims to assist the illegal immigrants as per the following regulatory measures:
(i) The individuals who are staying illegally can regularize their visas by getting a new sponsor and paying the prescribed fees.
(ii) Those who wish to exit the country can approach the UAE Immigration directly and get exit permit without ban by paying the prescribed fees.
(iii) Those who entered the country illegally without any valid documents, can get exit clearance with two years' ban by paying the prescribed fees.
(iv) If there is an absconding report against a person, the Immigration will remove absconding report against him and on payment of prescribed fees will issue exit permit without ban.
(v) The UAE Government is also facilitating the amnesty seekers by providing them a 6-months’ temporary job seekers’ visa with which they can legally stay in UAE and search for a job. Job seekers will also have an opportunity to look for employment by registering
in the virtual job market available on the website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Also, to enable the Indian Missions to meet contingency expenditure incurred by them for carrying out various on-site welfare activities for the most deserving cases of overseas Indian Citizens who are in distress, Government of India has established the Indian
Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).
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