Approximately 25,000 people have overstayed their residency permit, according to Dubai's immigration department.
The number has reached a new high with more than twice the total seen in 2016. Overstaying results in hefty fines which can cost up to thousands of dirhams depending on the length of overstay.
Job losses, finanancial troubles, conflicts in their home country and health issues are the most common reasons people overstay.
Illegal residents can visit the Humanitarian Centre to request to waive their fines and to acquire information about the steps and procedures to be undertaken.
Officials said 11,000 people applied to a special 'humanitarian committee' that looks at reasons for violating immigration rules, about 9,000 cases were relieved from paying their fines.
“Sometimes, people experience harsh situations that are beyond their control. We have to listen to them and consider these conditions,” said Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, director general of The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.