Dubai Tightens Visit Visa Regulations Amid Crackdown

Authorities in Dubai have ramped up efforts to crack down on individuals working illegally while on visit visas, with travel agents reporting a surge in inspections and stricter penalties.

This intensified enforcement has significantly reduced the number of overstayers in the UAE.

“We’ve heard of multiple company premises being inspected recently,” said Safeer Mohammed, general manager of Smart Travels. “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.”

The crackdown follows the conclusion of a generous amnesty programme that ran from September to December 2024. During the amnesty period, individuals overstaying their visas were given the opportunity to either legalize their status or leave the UAE without facing penalties. According to officials, the initiative helped thousands resolve their visa issues.

However, with the amnesty now over, enforcement has intensified. In January alone, more than 6,000 violators were arrested during inspection campaigns, a top official revealed.

Impact on Overstaying Numbers

Safeer noted that these stricter measures have led to a sharp drop in the number of overstayers. “Since January, we’ve seen the number of people overstaying their visit visas reduced to less than 10 per cent,” he said.

Bharat Aidasani of Pluto Travels emphasized the longstanding legal restrictions. “We strictly advise our customers not to work on a visit visa,” he said. “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.”

Heavy Penalties for Employers

The crackdown also targets employers. In August 2024, the UAE amended its labour law, imposing hefty fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million on companies that employ workers without valid permits or bring them into the country without securing jobs for them.

Travel agents report that several companies have been inspected to ensure compliance. “We’ve heard of several companies being checked to ensure no one on a visit visa is working there,” said Noushad Hassan from Alhind Travels Business Centre.

“This is a great way to ensure that rules are being followed. We have also seen a steady decrease in the number of people overstaying their visit visas, so it is really having a positive impact,” he added.

Workers Left Stranded

Noushad also highlighted the plight of some workers who overstayed their visas, only to find themselves stranded without support. “Sometimes workers would contact us after overstaying their visit visas, asking for help to return home,” he said.

Many of these workers, he explained, were misled by companies and left without money to buy a return ticket, let alone pay their overstay fines.

Stricter Entry Rules

To curb abuse, new rules have been introduced, requiring tourists to present confirmed air tickets, hotel reservations, and proof of sufficient funds when applying for a visa.

“With such new rules and increased inspections, it will be harder for unscrupulous companies to take undue advantage of workers,” Noushad said.

As enforcement continues to intensify, UAE residents and visitors are urged to follow visa regulations to avoid hefty fines and potential deportation.

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