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Working on tourist visa in Dubai: Filipino gets visa cancelled

A Filipino on tourist visa in Dubai has cried foul after the company he worked for allegedly fell short on the agreed salary payment as well as the issuance of an employment visa. The Filipino tourist had arrived in Dubai from a GCC country. He immediately found work in a company that promised him a salary of Dh2,500 and a residence visa. Jay (not his real name) said he worked in the company for nearly two months but when his new visa was given to him after his tourist visa expired, he was shocked to find out that the company only renewed his tourist visa for two more months instead of issuing him a residence visa. He also received only Dh2,000 instead of the promised Dh2,500 salary. He decided to resign from his job after his new tourist visa was issued on March 17. Records showed it was cancelled by his employer on March 21. This is not the first time that a tourist visa holder has complained of being duped by a company that promised them an employment visa. There have been several reports in the past of companies exploiting visit visa holders or tourist visa holders, convincing them to work while their visa is valid. This results in the victims knowingly or unknowingly taking on jobs without the security of an employment contract.

Illegal to work in UAE while under visit visa, tourist visa

UAE authorities have repeatedly warned tourists and visitors that it is illegal to work in the country while they are still under visit visa or tourist visa. “Visitors and tourists should be aware that it is illegal to work in the UAE with or without pay while being on a visit or tourist visa,” according to the UAE. “Violators may be liable to fines and deportation,” it added. Under the UAE’s labour and residency laws, only those with a work permit or employment visa issued in the UAE are permitted to work in the country. Companies that employ anyone under tourist visa or visit visa will also be held accountable and fined, according to the UAE Government. Violators will be slapped with a fine of Dh50,000, a UAE-based law firm reiterated. “In the UAE, working under visit visa is illegal. The firms that make employees work on visit visa will be fined Dh50,000,” Abdulla U.C., legal consultant of FranGulf Legal Consultants, told Expatmedia.net. Violators can be reported to the Economic Department for legal action. Visit visa or tourist visa holders caught working for companies will face punishment, Abdulla said. “In most cases, the employees working on visit visa will be deported to their home countries,” he said. Hundreds of thousands of people come to the UAE on tourist visa or visit visa, with many using these visa types as a way to find work here. It is not illegal to apply for jobs in the UAE while on tourist visa or visit visa. Authorities, however, require all newly hired employees to have a residence visa that grants them a permit to live, work and study in the country. Employment contracts also need to be approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation to ensure that the terms and conditions of employment follow the UAE’s guidelines to safeguard the protection of workers. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ: UAE visit visas can be extended up to 90 days
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