Dubai shelter gives visa violators a helping hand to return home

Dubai authorities have taken steps to assist a Kenyan woman and her newborn daughter in returning to Kenya after they were left stranded due to visa violations. Ruth Waithera, a Kenyan mother, arrived in Dubai on a visitor visa in 2024 with hopes of finding work and building a better future. However, she soon found herself in a difficult situation, undocumented, homeless, and struggling to care for her newborn daughter, Skula. After months of uncertainty, a friend advised Ms. Waithera to seek help at Al Awir Centre, operated by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Upon arrival, she was met with immediate support. A female officer listened to her story and assured her that the center would help her return to Kenya. The center provided essential services including accommodation, meals, medical care, and clothing for both the mother and child before coordinating with her consulate to issue a replacement travel document. Ms. Waithera was eventually given a plane ticket to return home on July 31, after all her issues were resolved and new documents were obtained. She expressed deep gratitude for the assistance received, calling it one of the most meaningful experiences of her life. The Al Awir Centre, located in Dubai, serves as a specialized facility for individuals who have violated UAE residency and immigration laws while their cases are under review. According to official data, the center has accommodated 11,696 residency violators in the first half of 2026. All of these individuals were issued plane tickets to their respective countries, allowing them to return home. Lieutenant General Mohammed Al Marri, director general of GDRFA-Dubai, emphasized that the center is not a detention facility but rather a state-of-the-art facility offering high-quality services aligned with international standards. He described it as an integral part of Dubai’s immigration enforcement system, highlighting the emirate’s commitment to a humane approach toward such individuals. General Al Marri noted that many of those arriving at the center had fallen victim to fraudulent recruitment practices. These individuals often paid substantial sums to agencies promising employment, only to find themselves without jobs upon arrival. This deception poses a major challenge for authorities, as many of these individuals end up stranded and unable to return home. To address this, the GDRFA has launched awareness campaigns aimed at reducing the number of residency violators in Dubai. These efforts include resolving cases, arranging travel documents, and providing airline tickets for those wishing to return home. All travel procedures and boarding passes are handled within the center before individuals are transported to the airport. The center has already issued 4,568 travel documents this year, enabling individuals who have inadvertently broken visa rules to return to their home countries. Since the beginning of 2026, over 322,232 meals have been served, along with 1,906 medical visits. The center also provides temporary accommodation, basic healthcare services, and medication to those staying temporarily. Major General Ali Al Zaabi, assistant director general at GDRFA-Dubai, stated that the center can accommodate between 1,300 and 1,800 people at any given time. Many individuals choose to seek assistance voluntarily, recognizing the center as a one-stop solution that reduces the burden of returning home, especially for those who might otherwise struggle financially. Most residency violators typically stay at the center for three to ten days before departing. Cases involving lost passports or missing identification documents may require additional time. The largest challenge arises when individuals arrive without proper documentation, complicating their ability to return home.