AED1M Fine for Hiring Illegal Residents as UAE Amnesty Ends
As UAE’s visa amnesty period concludes on October 31, employers are warned of hefty fines starting November 1 for hiring overstayers and residency violators. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), along with Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), is set to enforce strict penalties on companies employing illegal residents. From November 1, employers caught hiring residency violators may face fines ranging from AED100,000 to AED1 million, as part of a federal decree aimed at curbing unregulated labor practices.
Final Chance to Comply
The two-month visa amnesty, launched on September 1, provided an opportunity for residency violators to either leave the UAE without an entry ban or regularize their status to seek lawful employment. With this grace period ending on October 31, those who have not yet taken advantage of the amnesty are advised to act immediately.
High volumes of residents are currently seen at centers like Dubai’s Amer and Al Awir centers, where overstayers are resolving their legal status before inspections commence. The surge in attendance underscores the significance of the amnesty program, which allows violators to avoid penalties and pursue future opportunities.
Field Inspections Begin November 1
Starting November 1, authorities will conduct comprehensive inspections targeting businesses and residential areas where residency violations are suspected. This large-scale enforcement is expected to penalize violators who have not adjusted their status. Businesses found employing individuals without valid residency permits will face substantial fines and may risk legal actions.
Amnesty Limitations for Some Violators
It’s important to note that not everyone qualifies for the amnesty. Individuals under court-ordered deportation or those with unresolved criminal cases are not eligible. Similarly, those marked as “absent from work” after September 1, or who have been deported from the UAE or other GCC countries, cannot benefit from the grace period.
Fines Will Be Reactivated
For residency violators unable to secure employment, leaving the country with an exit permit allows for a future return with no entry ban. However, for those who remain, fines previously imposed will be reactivated on November 1. Individuals who have not completed their residency procedures despite having valid work contracts will also face fines.
What Happens After the Deadline
The ICP will enforce all overdue fees and fines associated with residency and visa services post-amnesty. To avoid further penalties, individuals are advised to renew their residency status on time and ensure compliance with the UAE’s regulations.
With intensified inspections and stricter enforcement, the UAE’s commitment to a regulated labor market and lawful residency will now hold businesses accountable for hiring practices, reinforcing the importance of adhering to UAE residency laws.