Dubai authorities have intensified efforts to crack down on individuals working illegally on visit visas, according to travel agents. This comes in the wake of the end of a generous visa amnesty scheme and has already led to a significant drop in the number of overstayers in the country.
"Multiple company premises have been inspected recently,"
said Safeer Mohammed, General Manager of Smart Travels.
"Inspection teams have even visited our office tower several times over the past few months. While working on a visit visa has always been illegal, authorities are now strictly enforcing the law."
Post-Amnesty Crackdown
The renewed enforcement follows the conclusion of a visa amnesty programme that ran from September to December 2024. One of the UAE’s most lenient schemes, it allowed individuals overstaying on visit visas to either legalise their status or leave without incurring fines.
After the amnesty ended, more than 6,000 violators were arrested during inspection campaigns in January 2025, a senior official revealed.
Safeer noted that the measures have had a positive impact, with visit visa overstayers dropping by more than half.
"Since January, the number of people overstaying their visit visas has fallen to less than 10 per cent,"
he added.
Severe Penalties for Violations
Bharat Aidasani, Managing Director of Pluto Travels, reiterated the seriousness of the issue.
"We strictly advise our customers not to work on visit visas,"
he said.
"Since the end of the amnesty, inspections have become more frequent and the penalties are severe—anyone caught working on a visit visa faces deportation."
In August 2023, the UAE amended its labour law to impose heavy penalties ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million on companies found hiring workers without valid permits or bringing them into the country without securing employment for them.
More Inspections, Clearer Rules
Noushad Hassan from Alhind Travels Business Centre also reported a rise in company inspections since the amnesty ended.
"Several companies have been checked to ensure compliance with visa laws,"
he said.
"It’s encouraging to see these steps being taken. We’ve noticed a steady decline in visa overstayers, showing that the efforts are working."
He shared that some workers overstaying their visit visas often end up stranded.
"They contact us asking for help to return home. Many are left helpless when companies disown them, and they don’t have the money to buy a ticket or pay fines,"
he explained.
New Entry Requirements
To further curb misuse, the UAE recently amended its tourist visa rules, now requiring travellers to show:
- Confirmed return air tickets
- Hotel reservations
- Proof of sufficient funds (in cash or bank account)
“With such new rules and increased inspections, it will become harder for unscrupulous companies to exploit vulnerable workers,”
Noushad added.
News Source: Khaleej Times
