Islamabad, Dec 20: Syed Irfan Nazar’s life took an unexpected turn in 2022 when he suddenly lost his job. The 45-year-old Pakistani expatriate faced both financial and legal difficulties after his employer canceled his visa, leaving him, his wife, and five children in a vulnerable position.
“I couldn’t even afford milk for my children,” Nazar recalled. Returning to Pakistan was not an option. “I’ve only been back a few times—once for my wedding and again when my parents passed away. There’s no one left there. I can’t imagine leaving the UAE.”
Having moved to the UAE in 2000, following his father’s work, Nazar had switched jobs over the years. But after losing his most recent position, finding new work became an immense challenge. “I tried everything, but the jobs just weren’t there,” he said.
The financial strain led to Nazar having to pull his two children out of school. “It broke my heart to tell them they couldn’t go to school anymore. They didn’t understand why this was happening,” he shared. As time passed, the family relied on the generosity of friends for support. “I will always be grateful to those who shared meals with us. Without them, I don’t know how we would have managed,” Nazar said. However, things grew worse as their visas expired, leaving them as illegal residents, and unpaid rent and fines exceeding Dh150,000 piled up. “The fine was overwhelming. I couldn’t fathom how I would ever pay it,” he admitted.
A turning point came when the UAE launched an amnesty visa program, allowing residents with expired visas to regularize their status without penalties. “When I heard about it, I felt it was help from the Almighty,” said Nazar. On the fifth day of the program, he and his family visited the amnesty center in Al Awir, where officials guided them through the process. Their visas were regularized, and they were granted 14 days to exit the country.
Soon after, luck turned in Nazar’s favor when he secured a job as a sales executive with Hotpack, a leading packaging manufacturing company. The position provided financial stability and a renewed sense of hope for his family. “My position comes with a visa, and now I’m working to obtain visas for my wife and children,” he said.
Mujeeb Rahman, Deputy General Manager at Hotpack, explained why Nazar was hired. “His story was very emotional. He had gone through so much but kept trying. His determination, talent, and experience were exactly what we needed,” Rahman said.
The authorities later extended the amnesty period, first to October 31 and then to December 31. “Each extension was a blessing, giving me more time to secure my family’s future,” Nazar said. Now, he is focused on saving money to process visas for his wife and children and plans to re-enroll his kids in school next year. “Their education is my top priority,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey, Nazar expressed gratitude for the support he received and for the UAE government’s initiatives. “This country has given me a second chance. I’ll never forget that” he said.
For Nazar, the worst is behind him, and the future looks brighter. “My kids will return to school, and we’ll have a stable life again. That’s all I ever wanted,” he said.
