UAE Companies Face Heavy Fines for Hiring Individuals with Unlawful Residency Status

Starting November 1, companies in the UAE face fines of up to Dh1 million for employing individuals with unlawful residency status, as the country’s visa amnesty period ends on October 31. This measure, 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), is part of a federal effort to prevent illegal employment and regulate labor practices.

 

The ICP has urged residency violators to rectify their legal status to avoid penalties, as the two-month amnesty—beginning September 1—allowed overstayers to either leave the UAE without an entry ban or regularize their residency to secure lawful employment.

 

With the deadline approaching, residents continue to seek assistance at amnesty centers across the country, especially in Amr centers and the Al Aweer center in Dubai. Beginning November 1, large-scale inspections will be conducted nationwide to identify violations and impose fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million on non-compliant companies. This initiative has seen a significant uptick in applicants, underscoring its impact on the community.

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