Dubai government officials have intensified their campaign to combat illegal employment by visitors on tourist visas, increasing the number and frequency of inspections and administering stricter penalties.
According to local news sources, the latest drive led to a notable decrease in the number of visitors overstaying their visas and/or working without proper authorization in the United Arab Emirates.
Current enforcement action comes after the completion of a comprehensive amnesty program that was in effect from September to December 2024. Throughout this period, visitors who had overstayed their visas were offered a chance to either obtain legal status or exit the country without incurring any penalties. UAE officials have said that thanks to this initiative, thousands of visitors were able to address and resolve their visa problems.
Now that the amnesty has ended, the focus on enforcement of immigration laws and regulations has increased significantly. According to a senior government executive, over 6,000 violators were apprehended during inspection operations in January alone.
Following the end of the amnesty period, inspections have increased in frequency, and the penalties imposed are stringent, with deportation as a potential outcome for individuals found working on a visitor visa. Since January, the rate of individuals overstaying their visitor visas has decreased to under 10 percent.
The enforcement measures also focus on local employers. In August 2024, the UAE revised its labor legislation, introducing substantial penalties between Dh100,000 and Dh1,000,000 for companies that hire workers without valid permits or facilitate their entry into the country without ensuring job placements.
New regulations have also been implemented to prevent system abuse, requiring tourists to provide proof of confirmed airline tickets, hotel bookings, and adequate financial resources when applying for UAE visa.
As enforcement measures become stricter, residents and visitors in the UAE are encouraged to adhere to visa requirements to prevent substantial fines and the risk of deportation.