Almost 10 percent of the UAE's population is heading for the exit, according to statistics released by immigration officials overseeing a five-month amnesty for illegal residents.
To date, around 185,000 people have taken advantage of the amnesty, which has now been extended to 3rd November.
A further 165,000 are expected to leave before the deadline, making a total of 350,000 people, or 8.5 percent of the UAE population of 4.1 million recorded at the last census.
Amnesties are not uncommon in the UAE - typically taking place every 3-5 years. But previous amnesties have witnessed only tens of thousands of illegal residents leaving the country.
This year's amnesty comes at a time when many Asian expatriates are considering whether working in the UAE makes financial sense. The spending power of the dirham is falling; cost of living is rising; Asian currencies, particularly the Rupee, are strengthening; and the job market at home is buoyant.
"I've ignored previous amnesties because there was always well-paid work here and I was able to send good money back to my family in Bangalore," said M. K. Khullar while standing in a queue waiting to board a plane to India at Dubai International Airport.
"Now I think I can provide a better life for my family by working on a construction site in India," he added. Source
To date, around 185,000 people have taken advantage of the amnesty, which has now been extended to 3rd November.
A further 165,000 are expected to leave before the deadline, making a total of 350,000 people, or 8.5 percent of the UAE population of 4.1 million recorded at the last census.
Amnesties are not uncommon in the UAE - typically taking place every 3-5 years. But previous amnesties have witnessed only tens of thousands of illegal residents leaving the country.
This year's amnesty comes at a time when many Asian expatriates are considering whether working in the UAE makes financial sense. The spending power of the dirham is falling; cost of living is rising; Asian currencies, particularly the Rupee, are strengthening; and the job market at home is buoyant.
"I've ignored previous amnesties because there was always well-paid work here and I was able to send good money back to my family in Bangalore," said M. K. Khullar while standing in a queue waiting to board a plane to India at Dubai International Airport.
"Now I think I can provide a better life for my family by working on a construction site in India," he added. Source
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