Can I Work in UAE While on Visit Visa?
With nearly 90% of the UAE population comprising of immigrants and expatriates, it isn’t arcane knowledge that many people autochthonous to the UAE’s neighbouring countries have made UAE their home. Many go to the UAE in search of better opportunities, while many others carry out a business setup in Dubai and become the providers of those opportunities. The UAE government has been equally welcoming of the many ethnicities that reside in the UAE.
However, where does one actually start in their search for a job in the glorious Emirates of Arab?
And if you were to acquire a visit visa not just for a sojourn but also to seek work in the UAE, would you be allowed to work under your visit visa?
The short answer is: Ministry Permits are mandatory to work in the UAE.
Let us consider a case in point and analyze it from different perspectives: You have procured a visit visa and have alighted in Dubai. But before that, let’s also assume that you are looking for a part-time job and seeking residence here in the UAE so you can one day realize your dream of actualizing a new business setup in Dubai.
Unfurling the Laws
All the federal laws that come into play in the aforementioned scenario are Federal Law No. (13) of 1996, Federal Law No. (6) of 1973 Concerning Immigration and Residence as amended by Virtue of Law No. (7) of 1985, and the Federal Decree-Law No. (17) of 2017. Additionally, Federal law No. (8) of 1980 Regulating Employment Relations in the UAE — commonly called the Employment Law — may be invoked in certain circumstances.
From a panoramic view, it must be duly acknowledged that it is downright illegal to work in the UAE without the acquirement or being in possession of a work permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) or from any of the Free Zone Authorities.
The above imposition traces its roots to Article (11) of Federal Law No (6) for 1973, which states: “The foreigner who obtains a visit visa may not work anywhere in the country with or without pay or for his own. If the visa is issued to work for an individual or an establishment, holder may not work for another individual or establishment without the written consent of that individual or establishment and the approval of the Directorate of Nationality and Immigration.”
If we delve further, we run into Article (13) of the Employment Law, which states: “Employees who are not UAE nationals may be employed in the United Arab Emirates only after approval of the Labour Department and the obtainment of a work permit in accordance with the procedures decided by Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Work permits may only be granted if the following conditions are fulfilled.
- That the employee has the professional competence of educational qualifications that are needed by the State.
- That the employee has lawfully entered the Country and complies with the conditions stipulated by the residence regulations in force in the State.”
Elucidation
Keeping in view the above-mentioned laws, it is safe to conclude that without a work permit from the MOHRE or any Free Zone Authority, you may not work while being on a visit visa, let alone actualize a business setup in Dubai or in any other Emirate. The way to go about it would be to first procure a work permit, after which, a UAE Residence Visa will be issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
Legal Ramifications
If one transgresses the above laws and works on a visit visa, it may be termed as illegal and their employer would be highly likely to incur huge penalties.
This is corroborated with Article 34 (1) of the Immigration law, which imposes a fine of AED 50,000 on any person who provides a job for foreigners not under their sponsorship.
The court overlooking the case might not only deport the penalized individual but also deport the employer recruiting them.
Hence, it is highly recommended that you first obtain a work permit and a UAE residence visa sponsored by your employer even if you are working part-time in the UAE.
Need Help?
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