DUBAI, July 2: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has arrested some 40,000 illegal expatriates in recent months, during which another 100,000 overstayers left under an amnesty, a newspaper said on Wednesday.

The UAE opened an amnesty from Jan 1 to June 30 to try to clear out more than 400,000 illegal expatriates.

Despite the end of the amnesty, Gulf News said, the interior ministry was “encouraging” illegal residents to come forward “as the door is still open for them to leave”. However, anyone caught staying illegally in the country would be punished.

An official crackdown had netted 40,000 illegals, the daily said, quoting a source in the Naturalisation and Residency department.

The interior ministry has announced searches and raids for illegals who face up to 10 years in jail and a 10,000-dirham (2,725-dollar) fine.

The UAE attracts huge numbers of Asians seeking work, mainly as labourers and domestic workers, but many stay on after their visas expire. —AFP