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UAE imposes Dh1 million fine for hiring illegal residents as visa amnesty ends

With the UAE's visa amnesty ending today, businesses hiring illegal residents will face steep fines from November 1, reaching up to Dh1 million.

TAS News Service

info@thearabianstories.com

Thursday, October 31, 2024

UAE : Starting tomorrow, employers who hire illegal residents in the UAE may be hit with fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million, as the visa amnesty period concludes on October 31. This action, enforced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) in collaboration with Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), aims to curb unregulated labour and residency violations.

Field inspections of businesses will commence on November 1, with officials poised to identify companies employing residency violators. This initiative is backed by a federal decree law aimed at controlling illegal employment and promoting adherence to national labour laws.

The two-month grace period, which started on September 1, allowed residency violators to either exit the UAE without an entry ban or regularize their status. Amnesty centers have seen a surge in last-minute visits as residency violators work to avoid fines and penalties.

In recent days, Al Aweer center in Dubai and Amr centers across the country have reported high visitor volumes as residents seek to correct their status. Many who couldn’t secure employment opted to exit the UAE, which allows them to leave without penalties and with the possibility of re-entering once suitable job opportunities arise.

Starting November 1, those who remain in violation will face the reactivation of all previously imposed fines, along with intensified inspections targeting residential areas and businesses known for hiring overstayers. Violators will also risk inclusion on entry ban lists, and administrative fee collections by the ICP will begin for outstanding residency and visa fines, ensuring future compliance with renewal deadlines.


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