Empty hands on the Visit Visa after the job proposals: What should those who do every UAE job know? world News
Several migrants coming to the United Arab Emirates have been found working without formal contracts or employment visas, leaving them insecure for legal and financial troubles. Despite receiving a job offer or offering letter, these individuals often begin to work on visit visas, left only by employers and the country is forced to leave empty -handed.
Starting work without legal visa: a growing problem
Those who arrive in the United Arab Emirates are strongly warned against the onset work, while still on visas – even if they have received job proposals. According to UAE labor laws, working without legitimate employment visas is illegal. Nevertheless, there have been many cases, where exites start working on the basis of job offer letters or oral promises, later expecting a permanent employment visa to secure. Dina Subi Al Obaidi, the UAE-based recruitment and founder of the Chronicle LLC FZ, told the Khaleej Times that “it is illegal to allow anyone to work on a visit visa or to work for anyone.” He insisted that “employers should receive labor approval and an employee should issue valid work permits before starting any job duties.” Al Obaidi reported that many candidates, especially on new or travel visas for UAE, “often lacks clarity” and sometimes is left or misleaded. Awareness is important for safety. “
Personal Stories: Legal Angs and Financial Losses
Experiences of two individuals highlight the risks faced by those working on travel visas without formal contracts.
- A sales executive, Akram (name changed), a lighting system in Abu Dhabi and a job offer from home decoration company. He was instructed to return to India as his initial visa was ending and was entering the UAE on a new travel visa to start the employment visa process. Akram spent more than DH2,500 on the journey, flew back, and started work after arriving on 22 April 2025.
He worked for about 40 days, during which the company promised that his employment visa would be completed by the beginning of June. However, on 2 June, Akram was informed that the company would not continue with its work. With his travel visa near the expiry and no legal work permit, Akram faced the possibility of returning home without a job.
- 29 -year -old Yasir, a marketing graduate, got a job through a job portal in an event management firm. He received a proposal letter and was told that his visa application was going on. Yasir started working in January 2025 and stayed for about two months. Every time he inquired about the visa, he was told that it was pending. In early March, citing the lack of budget, the company canceled its hiring plan without issuing official terms and paid it only half the promised salary.
With the end of his travel visa, Yasir had no legal status in the United Arab Emirates and was forced to leave the country on 6 March 2025.
Legal framework: Work permit and resident visa are mandatory
Under the UAE law, it is prohibited to work on a visit visa. In the Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 and Federal Dickry Law number 29 of 2021, employees require a valid work permit and Residency visa before starting any job. Employers who violate these rules face heavy punishment. According to Article 60 (1) (A) of the federal decree law number 9 of 2024, there is a fine ranging from DH100,000 to DH1 million to hiring without appropriate documents. Dina Subabhi al Obady highlighted the common red flag, which the candidates should see, including:
- Being asked to pay for jobs or visas
- Start work before obtaining legal employment visa
- Getting only oral job offer
- Changes in job conditions medium process
“These are unacceptable and immoral practices,” he said. He said that moral recruitment includes “issuing a formal resolution letter, completing the visa process before onboarding and being transparent about salaries and responsibilities.” Employers have a responsibility “to support those candidates who are new but show the capacity.”
Emotional and psychological influence of false promises
Beyond legal implications, human cost of immoral recruitment practices is deeply important. A advisory psychiatrist of Burjel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, Dr. Amir Javed highlighted the emotional toll on persons with the promises of these false jobs. He explained that such experiences often lead to “emotional instability, anger and irritability”, especially for migrants who find themselves isolated and weak in a foreign country. “There is a person behind each CV who can leave the house in search of a future,” Dr. Jawad told the Khaleej Times. “When their expectations are shattered by broken promises, it causes deep feelings of betrayal and insecurity.” This emotional upheaval can result in prolonged psychological results, including depression, anxiety, less confidence and even post-tromatic stress disorder. Some affected individuals may require professional psychiatric care to face and recover. Dr. Javaad urged to be vigilant for signs of trauma after such experiences. Symptoms may include mood, irritability, sleep disturbances, social return and a noticeable lack of motivation. From the point of view of an employer, Dr. Javaid emphasized the important role of responsibility and transparency. “Companies should avoid making false promises, provide clear and time notice when changes, where possible provide alternative roles, and prioritize psychological security of your employees.” He further recommended that organizations promote sympathy communication and attach business health teams to support the mental good of employees.
