Illegal visa trading in UAE: residents warned against buying visa

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UAE residents warned against illegal visa trading

Residents in the UAE have been warned against illegal “visa trading” in the UAE, with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Dubai and Northern Emirates issuing a recent advisory. “Employ legal entities when securing a visa and avoid engaging in visa trading in the UAE,” according to the MWO in its advisory. Under the visa trade fraud, unscrupulous businessmen take advantage of desperate expatriates by asking them to pay exorbitant fees to get employment visas through back doors. Companies engaged in the illegal practice get employment visas that are sold to random expatriates who need the permit to stay in the UAE. The visa buyers are later reported as absconders. “With regards to ‘own visa’, OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) are advised not to engage in visa trading as such is subject to the UAE Civil Procedure Law, and workers and employers involved in it are considered partners in crime, hence, may both be held liable as determined by the proper court of law,” John Rio Bautista, Labor Attache at MWO in Dubai, said in an advisory. ALSO READ: How to avoid UAE visa fraud Filipinos in UAE warned of 'cross-country' employment The MWO urged residents to only deal with free zones in the UAE to get "legitimate" freelance visas that will allow them to legally work in the UAE as freelancers. The MWO operates under the Department of Migrant Workers, the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the protection of Filipino overseas workers. The MWO recommended a list of free zones where UAE residents can legally get freelance visas:

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone

Issues freelance visas for media professionals and educationists

Dubai Media City

Issues freelance visas for various fields related to media: editor, journalist, print media specialists, copywriter, actor, aerial shoot photographer, animator, artist, audio engineer, brand consultant, cameraman, choreographer, commentator, composer, content provider, director, events planner, graphic designer, furniture designer, market analyst, presenters, web designers, web developers and other professionals

Dubai Internet City

Dubai Knowledge Park

Issues freelance visas for education advisors, e-learning advisors, executive coaches, researchers and trainers

Dubai Design District

Issues freelance visas for apparel designers, concept designers, fashion stylists, image consultants, fashion artists, hairstylists, interior designers, object designers, personal shoppers, textile designers, visual merchandisers and wedding planners