Many foreigners who have arrived in the UAE have been discovered without contracts or permits for jobs, which makes them vulnerable to legal and financial issues. These people frequently begin working on permits after receiving career offers or present characters only to be abandoned by employers and forced to leave the land empty-handed.
Starting a business without a constitutional card: a growing issue
Even if they have been offered a job, career seekers who have arrived in the UAE are being highly advised against beginning employment while still on a visitation visa. It is prohibited to work in the UAE without a valid work card, according to UAE labor laws. There have also been instances in which foreign nationals begin working based on work offer letters or rhetorical promises in an effort to eventually obtain a permanent employment visa. It’s against the law to use or permit anyone to operate without a visit visa, according to Dina Subhi Al Obaidi, founder of Chronicle L. L. C. FZ and a recruiter based in the UAE. Before an worker begins performing any job duties, she emphasized that “employeurs may obtain labor approval and issue legitimate work permits.” Al Obaidi noted that several candidates, particularly those who are new to the UAE or are on visit applicants, “often absence clarity on hiring procedures” and are “left unfounded or misled. The key to security is awareness.
Private Cases of Legal Limbo and Financial Loss
The dangers that those who work on visit applicants without formal agreements face are highlighted by two people’s experience.
- A lighting and home décor company in Abu Dhabi has offered to hire Akram ( name changed ). He was given the instruction to go back to India because his first visa was revoked, and he was instructed to re-enter the UAE on a new visit immigration to start the employment visa application process. Akram flew back and began working the day after arriving on April 22, 2025, spending more than Dh2, 500 on vacation.
He worked for about 40 days, during which the employer promised that his work visa may be finished by the beginning of June. But, Akram was informed that the business may stop hiring him on June 2. Akram was faced with the prospect of returning home without a job as his card for a visitation was about to expire and he had no lawful work authorization.
- Yasir, 29, a student of selling, found employment at an occasion management company through a job site. He was informed that his card program was being processed after receiving an offer letter. Yasir began his employment in January 2025 and stayed for nearly two months. He was informed that the card was pending every moment he inquired about it. The business canceled his getting program in early March citing budget considerations and only paid him half the promised salary.
Yasir had no lawful status in the UAE when his visit card expired, and he was forced to leave the nation on March 6, 2025.
Legitimate model: Residency Visas and Work Permits Are Requirements
Working without a visit immigration is against UAE rules. Federal Decree No. Federal Decree Law No. 33 from 2021. Employees must have a current job force and citizenship immigration before beginning any employment under Section 29 of 2021. Companies who contravene these rules are subject to severe sanctions. According to Article 60 ( 1 ) of Federal Decree Law No. 9 of 2024, charges range from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million for hiring without proper documents. Applicants should be on the lookout for common red flags, such as:
- being asked to pay for permits or employment
- Getting a legal career immigration before claiming work
- simply receiving career offers verbally
- Changes in employment terminology in the middle of the process
She remarked,” These are unethical and intolerable methods.” She continued,” Being clear about income and responsibilities,” and issuing a conventional present letter, completing the request process before onboarding, and completing the request process.” Companies are obligated to” aid individuals who are innovative but show potential.”
False claims have an emotional and psychological effects.
Beyond the legal ramifications, the human cost of irresponsible getting procedures is enormous. Dr. Amir Javaid, a consultant psychiatrist at Abu Dhabi’s Burjeel Medical City, expressed concern about how emotionally vulnerable people are by false work claims. He claimed that these situations frequently result in “emotional instability, fury, and irritability,” specifically for emigrants who find themselves isolated and vulnerable in a foreign land. A person who does have left home in search of a potential can be found hidden beneath every CV, Dr. Javaid told the Khaleej Times. Their desires are shattered when their promises are broken, leading to profound feelings of betrayal and insecurity. This emotional trauma can have long-term psychological effects, including depression, anxiety, lower self-esteem, and yet post-traumatic stress disorder. Some impacted individuals does require professional medical care to manage and recover. Dr. Javaid urged job seekers to stay alert for signs of pain following these kinds of encounters. A sign of symptoms include a perceived lack of motivation, irritability, sleep problems, social departure, and mood swings. Dr. Javaid stressed the crucial role that role and transparency play in the workplace. Companies must “everyone’s psychological safety is at top of their minds,” according to the phrase” Companies must prevent making false promises, provide clear and proper notice when changes occur, offer other roles where feasible, and offer clear and proper notice when changes occur.” He further advised businesses to promote empathy and involve occupational health teams to support employees ‘ mental well-being.
