UAE enforces control of no working under visit visa status

Immigration Blog May 27, 2025

Introduction

The Dubai authorities are increasing efforts to crackdown on individuals working on visit visas in the UAE. While it has always been illegal to work in the UAE under visit visa status, authorities are now taking a stricter stance on ensuring compliance, with many company premises being inspected in recent times.

Impact

Medium

What has changed?

Working in the UAE while holding a visit visa is not permitted, and all individuals completing work while in the country should obtain the relevant work and residence permit status to remain compliant.

Dubai previously had a lenient amnesty scheme, which permitted those overstaying their visas to legalise their status or leave without facing any penalty. The scheme ran from September to December 2024 and enabled many to resolve their visa issues. It is reported that following the end of the visa amnesty more than 6,000 violators may have been arrested during company inspections earlier this year.

The recent crackdown has led to a perceived reduction in the number of overstayers in the country.

Who is affected?

Individuals working in the UAE while holding only a visitor visas are non-compliant and are advised not to do so. Company inspections are becoming more frequent with severe penalties in place for those found to be non-compliant and deportation for anyone found to be working illegally. Fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1million could be imposed on companies employing workers without the correct permits in place.

What to expect /impact?

Increased company inspections by the UAE authorities mean that rules are being followed, and companies can expect high penalties for non-compliance. The number of overstays has decreased significantly.

Furthermore, rules have been implemented so that those entering under visit visa status are obliged to confirm air tickets, hotel reservations and a certain amount of money in a further crackdown on irregular stays.