UAE Travel Agents Alert on Strict Enforcement Against Work on Visit Visas
Dubai authorities intensify inspections, resulting in reduced visa overstays and severe penalties for violations.
Authorities in Dubai have increased measures to enforce regulations prohibiting employment on visit visas, according to local travel agents.
The crackdown has reportedly led to a significant decline in visa overstays in the emirate, as cited by travel industry representatives.
Safeer Mohammed, General Manager of Smart Travels, noted that a series of inspections have been conducted at multiple company offices.
"We’ve heard of multiple company premises being inspected recently.
Inspection teams have also visited our office tower several times over the past few months.
While working on a visit visa has always been illegal, authorities are now ensuring that everyone is strictly following the rules," he stated.
This intensified enforcement follows the conclusion of an amnesty scheme that allowed individuals overstaying their visas to regularize their status or leave the country without penalties.
The amnesty, which ran from September to December 2024, reportedly assisted thousands in resolving their immigration status.
Post-amnesty, over 6,000 individuals were reportedly arrested during inspection campaigns in January 2025, highlighting the authorities' commitment to tackling visa violations.
According to Safeer, these actions have contributed to a reduction in the number of visit visa overstayers by more than half, now reported to be less than 10 percent.
Bharat Aidasani from Pluto Travels reiterated the long-standing prohibition against working on a visit visa in the UAE.
"We strictly advise our customers not to do so.
Since the end of the amnesty, inspections have become more frequent, and the penalties are severe, with deportation being the consequence for anyone caught working on a visit visa," he emphasized.
In August of last year, the UAE's labour laws were amended to impose significant fines on companies employing individuals without valid work permits.
Financial penalties range from AED 100,000 to AED 1 million for companies that fail to comply with employment regulations.
Noushad Hassan from Alhind Travels Business Centre also noted that inspections have increased since the end of the amnesty.
"We’ve heard of several companies being checked to ensure no one on a visit visa is working there," he remarked, calling the inspections a necessary means to ensure compliance with regulations.
Hassan described the plight of workers who find themselves stranded after overstaying.
"They would contact us asking for a way to help them go back home.
The companies would wash off their hands, and the workers, many of whom are illiterate, would not even have the money to purchase a ticket back home, let alone clear their overstay fines," he explained.
Recently, new regulations stipulate that individuals entering the UAE on tourist visas must possess confirmed return tickets, hotel reservations, and a specified minimum amount of cash or bank funds.
These measures, along with enhanced inspections, aim to protect workers from exploitation and ensure compliance with national immigration laws.
The crackdown has reportedly led to a significant decline in visa overstays in the emirate, as cited by travel industry representatives.
Safeer Mohammed, General Manager of Smart Travels, noted that a series of inspections have been conducted at multiple company offices.
"We’ve heard of multiple company premises being inspected recently.
Inspection teams have also visited our office tower several times over the past few months.
While working on a visit visa has always been illegal, authorities are now ensuring that everyone is strictly following the rules," he stated.
This intensified enforcement follows the conclusion of an amnesty scheme that allowed individuals overstaying their visas to regularize their status or leave the country without penalties.
The amnesty, which ran from September to December 2024, reportedly assisted thousands in resolving their immigration status.
Post-amnesty, over 6,000 individuals were reportedly arrested during inspection campaigns in January 2025, highlighting the authorities' commitment to tackling visa violations.
According to Safeer, these actions have contributed to a reduction in the number of visit visa overstayers by more than half, now reported to be less than 10 percent.
Bharat Aidasani from Pluto Travels reiterated the long-standing prohibition against working on a visit visa in the UAE.
"We strictly advise our customers not to do so.
Since the end of the amnesty, inspections have become more frequent, and the penalties are severe, with deportation being the consequence for anyone caught working on a visit visa," he emphasized.
In August of last year, the UAE's labour laws were amended to impose significant fines on companies employing individuals without valid work permits.
Financial penalties range from AED 100,000 to AED 1 million for companies that fail to comply with employment regulations.
Noushad Hassan from Alhind Travels Business Centre also noted that inspections have increased since the end of the amnesty.
"We’ve heard of several companies being checked to ensure no one on a visit visa is working there," he remarked, calling the inspections a necessary means to ensure compliance with regulations.
Hassan described the plight of workers who find themselves stranded after overstaying.
"They would contact us asking for a way to help them go back home.
The companies would wash off their hands, and the workers, many of whom are illiterate, would not even have the money to purchase a ticket back home, let alone clear their overstay fines," he explained.
Recently, new regulations stipulate that individuals entering the UAE on tourist visas must possess confirmed return tickets, hotel reservations, and a specified minimum amount of cash or bank funds.
These measures, along with enhanced inspections, aim to protect workers from exploitation and ensure compliance with national immigration laws.
Translation:
Translated by AI
