In a stern move to uphold transparency and integrity in the labour market, the United Arab Emirates has reinforced strict penalties for employees found guilty of submitting forged documents for employment. Offenders now face up to 10 years in prison, immediate termination from their roles, and fines reaching hundreds of thousands of dirhams.

The warning follows a series of legal amendments and high-profile cases that have exposed individuals using fake degrees, falsified experience certificates, and forged identity documents to secure jobs or visa approvals in both public and private sectors.

Legal Foundation: UAE Penal Code

As per Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (the UAE Penal Code), forging official documents or using them knowingly is a criminal offence. Articles 252 to 264 outline severe penalties for document forgery, with imprisonment ranging from 3 to 10 years if the document is considered official, such as government-issued certificates, ID cards, or educational credentials.

Article 253 clearly states:

"Whoever forges an official document or uses a forged one, knowing it is forged, shall be punished with temporary imprisonment."

The penalties are automatically escalated when the forged document is used to obtain employment, government benefits, or legal rights. Offences committed against a government entity can lead to aggravated sentencing.

Employment Laws and Termination

Beyond criminal charges, UAE Labour Law under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 empowers employers to immediately terminate any employee guilty of falsifying documents without compensation or notice.

According to Article 44(2) of the law: “An employer may dismiss the worker without prior notice, after conducting a written investigation, if the worker assumes a false identity or submits forged documents or certificates.”

This applies uniformly to Emirati and expatriate employees across the UAE.

Real Cases Prompting Crackdown

Legal experts say the stricter enforcement follows several high-profile fraud cases reported over the past year:

• Dubai Courts sentenced a man to five years for submitting a fake university degree from India to secure a managerial post at a multinational firm.

• In Abu Dhabi, authorities arrested two ex-pats for using forged medical certificates to obtain a residence visa.

• A Sharjah-based company discovered a mid-level executive had submitted a fake MBA degree, leading to his termination and deportation after a police investigation.

According to the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), over 150 employment fraud cases were investigated in 2023, a 25% increase from the previous year.

The Verification Drive

UAE authorities have ramped up efforts to authenticate submitted documents to combat such violations. Employers are now encouraged to use attestation services and background verification platforms like:

• WES (World Education Services)

• DataFlow Group – mandated for healthcare professionals.

• UAE Ministry of Education’s e-Equivalency system

Recruiters in finance, healthcare, education, and IT sectors are increasingly outsourcing background checks to international third-party verifiers.

Moreover, for roles requiring professional licensing, such as doctors, engineers, and auditors, documents must be attested by the relevant licensing authorities in both the issuing country and the UAE.

Penalties for Employers

Companies knowingly accepting fake documents or failing to conduct due diligence may also face legal action.

Under Ministerial Resolution No. 46 of 2022, any employer that hires a worker based on false documents could face:

• AED 50,000 to AED 200,000 in fines

• Suspension of business license

• Restriction on future work permits issuance

MoHRE has warned businesses against bypassing document verification procedures, primarily when recruiting abroad.

Legal Expert Weigh In

Legal professionals say these measures are necessary to protect the UAE’s employment ecosystem. 

• Sunil Ambalavelil, Managing Partner at NYK Law Firm, underscores the severity of legal consequences for both employees and employers:

“In the UAE, the legal implications of document fraud go far beyond job loss; this is a criminal offense punishable by jail, fines, and deportation. Both employees and HR departments must understand that ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law,” Ambalavelil said.

Impact on Residency and Deportation

For expatriates, convictions related to document forgery often result in deportation orders in addition to jail time. Article 121 of the UAE Penal Code stipulates that non-citizens found guilty of crimes involving dishonesty or moral turpitude may be deported after serving their sentence.

This aligns with the UAE’s broader objective of maintaining a high-integrity, professional workforce aligned with Vision 2031.

Key Takeaways for Employees and Employers

• Submitting forged documents can result in 3 to 10 years in jail, fines, termination, and deportation.

• UAE Labour Law allows immediate dismissal of employees using fake identity or educational credentials.

• Employers are legally required to verify documents and can be penalized for lapses.

• Digital alterations (e.g., fake stamps, signatures, or seals) are equally punishable.

• Background checks, attestation, and due diligence are vital to protect business interests.

As the UAE continues to position itself as a global business hub, authorities remain firm on enforcing zero tolerance toward fraud. Both employers and employees are advised to ensure legal compliance in all hiring and document submission processes to avoid serious legal consequences.

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