
UAE: Over 32,000 visa violators recorded in first half of 2025
'A number of those apprehended were also detained in preparation for being referred to the competent authorities to enforce the law against them,' said Major Gen Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, director general of the ICP, adding the 'inspection campaigns were aimed at reducing the number of violators and to ensure a dignified life for residents and visitors in the UAE."
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The National
an hour ago
- The National
‘Can I employ a domestic help who has her own UAE visa?'
Question: I have employed a woman to come to my house and cook some meals for my husband and teenage children as I have been away. She said she has her own visa, so can work for anyone. I paid her in advance, but she has not worked all the days we first agreed and is now not returning my calls. What steps can I take to get some money back and stop her from doing this again? FA, Dubai Answer: The UAE has employment regulations to cover all categories of work. A cook is classed as a domestic worker. The classification includes 19 types of jobs, such as housemaids, cleaners, drivers and cooks. In this, and in previous legislation, it has always been made clear that domestic workers may only be employed through an agency or be sponsored as a direct employee. It is illegal to employ any domestic worker who claims to have their own visa. It is also illegal to employ any domestic worker who is under the sponsorship of another resident. The fines for breaking the law are significant and clarified in the latest legislation, Federal Law Decree No 9 of 2022 Concerning Domestic Workers. Article 17.3 states: 'A fine of at least Dh50,000 [$13,614] and up to Dh200,000 shall be imposed on those who commit the following: a. Provides employment to a domestic worker without obtaining a work permit for the latter.' FA was employing this cook illegally and has no legal recourse to recover any money owed to her. Both she and the person she employed could be subject to substantial fines if they are reported to the UAE authorities. Q: I have a part-time job in a school and while I am a qualified teacher, I only teach a few classes each week. I have been approached to do some private tutoring but am wondering how I can do this. I am sponsored by my husband and have a work permit from the school. JD, Dubai A: JD requires a suitable licence to undertake any other paid work. Carrying out any work in the UAE without the proper licence is illegal and subject to fines. The good news is that while a licence is mandatory, in December 2023 the UAE introduced a specific licence for private tutoring. This is free. It is a joint initiative from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Ministry of Education and is intended to put a stop to illegal and unregulated private tuition. In order to apply, the individual must obtain a letter of no objection from their employer and provide this along with a good conduct certificate, valid Emirates ID, a copy of their most recent academic degree and details of their teaching experience. A good conduct certificate is also known as a police clearance certificate and can be obtained from the police app relating to the emirate of residency. The application can be made through UAE Pass and passed on to the ministry for checking and approval. They should take only two working days for a complete and valid application. Permits are valid for two years. The permit can be used for both in-person and online tutoring. It is available to non-teachers, but they should have qualifications and/or experience in the relevant subjects. Watch: Computer engineer conned in job scam says UAE visa amnesty saved life Students aged 15 or over can also apply for the permit but must seek permission from their legal guardian, usually their father, and have this in writing in the form of a no-objection certificate. In all cases, a person must be a resident of the UAE. Q: I used to live and work in Saudi Arabia until 2023. I left to go home but will be returning later this year. I still have my Saudi driving licence, will I be able to drive straight away? HM, Canada A: Saudi driving licences are usually valid for five years for expats (non-Saudi or GCC citizens). That said, they are linked to the Iqama, the residence visa. So if an Iqama is cancelled, the licence is technically invalid. Note that the Iqama number is unique to each individual, like an identity number, so it does not change but still has to be reapplied for to be valid at renewal and cancelled on leaving the country permanently. On returning to Saudi Arabia, HM's new employer will reapply for a valid Iqama and once that has been issued, he can reactivate his driving licence. All driving activities go through the Absher app and platform these days, so it should be a simple and quick process.


Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai man banned from internet, phone seized in WhatsApp defamation case
A Dubai court has convicted an individual of defamation and online insult via WhatsApp, banning the accused from internet use and also ordering the confiscation of his mobile phone. The case, filed under No. 23499/2024, was brought forward by a corporate professional who received a series of defamatory messages on WhatsApp. The messages, described as personally insulting and damaging to reputation, were sent in October 2023, while both parties were present at a corporate office in Al Safouh 2, Dubai. Following the complaint, authorities launched an investigation, reviewing translated copies of the messages, collecting witness testimonies, and analysing initial statements. Although the defendant admitted to sending the messages, he claimed they were in retaliation to earlier accusations made during the conversation. However, the court rejected this explanation, stating it did not justify overriding the legal definitions of insult and defamation. On April 24, 2025, the Dubai court imposed a one-month ban on the defendant from accessing information networks or digital platforms, ordered the deletion of offensive messages from all devices and records, confiscated the mobile phone used to commit the offence and imposed a Dh5,000 fine. The ruling was officially executed on May 1, 2025. During the proceedings, a travel ban was also in place. 'This judgment clearly shows that digital platforms are not lawless zones. Under UAE law, defamation isn't limited to public dissemination; insults in private chats can also lead to criminal charges, especially when the content is morally offensive or personally degrading,' said Vishal Tinani, the legal adviser on the case. 'The ban on internet use and the confiscation of the device highlight the judiciary's willingness to impose tech-specific penalties that are suitable for the nature and medium of the offence. Notably, the internet usage ban extends to the prohibition of activating or using any new SIM card registered under the offender's name to access online platforms during the penalty period,' he said. As digital communication becomes increasingly central to both personal and professional interactions, this case demonstrates that electronic expressions are subject to the same legal scrutiny as any public statement. Even one-on-one private chats in messaging platforms like WhatsApp are not exempt from defamation laws if the content crosses legal or moral lines.


Khaleej Times
14 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Accident on E311 near Airport Road exit; motorists warned
Dubai Police issued a traffic advisory on Sunday (July 27) following an accident on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, also known as E311. In a social media post, the authority said the accident occurred on E311 heading towards Abu Dhabi after the Airport Road exit. Details about the accident itself, including the number of vehicles involved or any potential injuries, were not immediately released.