Ever thought about working on Visit Visa in UAE specially during current covid19 crisis and limited deadline from Immigration?
Job seekers are being warned not to fall prey to the false promises of some firms in UAE that are abusing visitors visit visa status for employment.
Though the law clearly states that the people entering in the UAE on a visit visa or Tourist visa are prohibited from working and that companies are prohibited from employing such people.
In cases where individuals are being exploited by a company, they "do not have the labour law entitlements" unless they are properly working.
UAE Law about working on Visit Visa:
Article 11 of the Federal Law No. 6 for 1973 concerning immigration and residence clearly states that "the alien who obtains a visit visa may not work anywhere in the country with or without pay or for his own".
Fine for Working on Visit Visa:
Additionally, by virtue of Federal Decree Law No 7 for 2007, "a fine of Dh50,000 per worker has been prescribed, in the event the MoHRE finds any employer employing an individual on a visit visa".
If the offence is repeated, the fine amount is doubled.
Ban for working on Visit Visa:
Expatriate employers violating the above mentioned law will be deported and banned for life time from entering any state of UAE.
And for UAE nationals, a 6 months prison term will be handed down. Despite this, all it takes is a scroll online to see numerous job listings that specifically put a call-out for applicants on visit visas.
Companies may ask for someone on a visit visa if the role is "super urgent" and some may also wish to place someone on a trial period before providing a company visa. However, when an agency is involved, this mostly does not happen.
Things to remember as you take up a job in the UAE:
1: Offer letter:
It's mandatory for companies to issue an offer letter from the MoHRE [Ministry of Labor] to you, mentioning the terms and conditions of the job. This has to be signed and accepted by you.
2: Ministry approval:
The signed MOHRE offer letter should be submitted by the employer to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for approval.
3: Work permit/residency visa:
The employer will procure your work and residency permits.
4: Health screening:
Your medical tests will be conducted at government-approved health centres in the UAE. You will be tested for communicable diseases/conditions, if failed you may not get approval.
5: Certificate attestation:
If you hold a degree from outside the UAE, you must get it certified from the UAE embassy or consulate in your home country and also from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country. Then here with the UAE MoFA.
6: Keep your passport:
One of your important rights is entitlement to the possession of your passport, Detention of passport against the will of the passport holder is unlawful in the UAE.
An employer cannot ask its employee to hand over the passport to keep in their custody without the employee's written consent.
Link: UAE Passport Keeping Rules
Link: UAE Passport Keeping Rules
Should you face any continued harassment at your workplace you may report the same to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) where you may lodge a complaint againstyour employer and may consider reporting this matter to the police.
