New UAE visa campaign to help residents, tourists avoid overstay fines

A UAE-wide awareness campaign launched on Tuesday will help explain violations related to tourist, work and job-seeker visas. It will talk about the importance of expats and tourists rectifying their visa status once the one on which they entered the country expires. This involves either getting a new visa or exiting the country before their residency or tourist permit expires.

Overstay fines were standardised for visitors and residents in the UAE recently. The penalty is Dh50 per each day of the illegal stay.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) launched the campaign that began on October 10 and will run for three months. Various government entities will take part, in addition to free zones.

A video shared as part of the campaign showed how the authorities helped Irene, a domestic worker who absconded from her employer and ended up becoming an illegal resident.

“… It is essential to comply with labour and residency laws, and we are fully prepared to offer support to ensure your legal status and wellbeing,” the MoHRE wrote on platform X.

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Violations and penalties

“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 regulations for labour relations (the labour law), and the procedures and penalties for violators,” said Khalil Al Khoori, undersecretary for Human Resources Affairs at MoHRE. “This serves to encourage target groups to comply with laws in order to guarantee the rights of both parties in the employment relationship.”

The drive will feature a "diverse range of media activities” presented to target groups in four languages: Arabic, English, Urdu, and Swahili.

Major-General Suhail Al Khaili, director-general of the ICP, said the drive will highlight the legal measures taken against violators.

Visa holders can check the status of their documents and if they have incurred fines via the ICP website or app. They can pay the penalties either in person at the ICP service centres and typing centres; or online.

Major-General Al Khaili said violating the visa and employment systems is a “serious transgression”.

“The UAE implements an advanced, flexible, proactive, and pioneering residency and labour system, and this campaign aims to raise awareness among employers, workers, investors in free zones, and violators of entry and residency conditions in the UAE, along with the general public,” he added.

New labour law

Mohsen Al Nassi, assistant undersecretary for Inspection Affairs at MoHRE, said the campaign will raise awareness about the provisions of the new labour law that went into effect last year.

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