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Recent changes to the UAE labour law will impose a hefty fine of up to Dh1 million on companies that hire visit visa holders. Previously, companies that employ workers without a work permit were fined between Dh50,000 and Dh200,000. The fine has now increased to Dh100,000 up to Dh1 million. Under UAE laws, it is illegal for visit visa or tourist visa holders to work in the UAE without a valid work permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation or any free zone authority. “The foreigner who obtains a visit visa may not work anywhere in the country with or without pay or for his own,” the law states. Violators face deportation, while companies that hire them will be fined. The UAE Government has repeatedly warned tourists and visitors against working in the country while under visit visa or tourist visa, amid cases of employees being used by unscrupulous companies that don’t pay them for their work, or terminate their services as soon as their visit visa expires. Hundreds of thousands of people come to the UAE on tourist visa or visit visa. While it is not illegal to apply for jobs in the UAE while on tourist visa or visit visa, it is prohibited to work in the UAE without a work permit, according to the UAE Government. To make it simpler for people to enter the UAE to find work, the UAE Cabinet has introduced a Job Exploration Entry Visa, also known as the jobseeker visa to help skilled professionals and talents to explore job opportunities in the country. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ: Working while on tourist visa in UAE
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