An awareness campaign launched on Tuesday will explain violations related to tourist, work, and job-seeker visas. It will discuss the importance of expats and tourists rectifying their visa status once the one on which they entered the country expires. It involves either getting a new visa or leaving the country before their residency or tourist permit expires.
In the UAE, overstay fines were recently standardized for visitors and residents. Illegal stays are penalized with Dh50 per day.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) launched the campaign on October 10. Along with free zones, various government entities will participate.
Irene, a domestic worker who absconded from her employer and ended up living illegally, was featured in a video shared as part of the campaign.
The MoHRE wrote on platform X, "... it is essential to comply with labour and residency laws, and we are fully prepared to provide support to ensure your legal status and welfare."
Penalties and violations
The campaign aims to familiarise people with the key provisions of the entry and residency laws for foreign nationals in the UAE, as well as labour relations regulations (the labour law), as well as penalties and procedures for violators," said Khalil Al Khoori, undersecretary for Human Resources Affairs at the Ministry of Human Resources. In order to guarantee the rights of both parties in an employment relationship, target groups are encouraged to comply with the law."
There will be a "diverse range of media activities" presented to target groups in four languages: Arabic, English, Urdu, and Swahili.
The ICP's director-general, Major-General Suhail Al Khaili, said the drive will highlight the legal measures taken against violators.
On the ICP website or app, visa holders can check the status of their documents and if any fines have been incurred. If they wish to pay the penalties in person, they may do so at ICP service centers or typing centres; or, they can pay them online.
According to Major-General Al Khaili, violating the visa and employment systems is a serious offense.
"The UAE implements a flexible, proactive, and pioneering residency and labour system, and the campaign aims to raise awareness among employers, workers, investors in free zones, and violators of entry and residency conditions in the UAE, as well as the general public," he said.
The new labour law
Mohsen Al Nassi, assistant undersecretary for Inspection Affairs at MoHRE, said the campaign would raise awareness about the new labour law.
Among them are:
- New forms of employment: Full- or part-time, temporary, flexible and remote work.
- Types of leave: Annual, study, sabbatical, bereavement, maternity, paternity and sick leaves; as well as official holidays.
- Protecting employees: The law prohibits harassment, bullying, physical violence and psychological abuse.
- Forced labour and discrimination prohibited: The law prohibits forced labour and discrimination on the basis of gender, race, colour, sex, religion, national or social origin or disability.