UAE to Fine 1 Million Dirham for Hiring Overstaying Individuals

Employers in the UAE will face fines of up to Dh1 million for hiring illegal residents starting November 1, as the amnesty period concludes on October 31.

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), in coordination with Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), has issued a warning against employing overstayers once the grace period ends.

Beginning November 1, inspections will commence, with companies facing fines from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million for hiring residency violators. This action is part of a federal decree law aimed at curbing illegal employment and unregulated labor practices.

Last Chance for Residency Violators

The ICP noted that many residency violators have utilized the grace period, which began on September 1, to either leave the UAE without an entry ban or legalize their status for lawful employment.

With the two-month visa amnesty period ending today (October 31), residency violators are continuing to visit amnesty centers nationwide to resolve their status.

Field Inspections Begin November 1

Widespread inspections will begin on Friday, November 1, to identify and penalize those who have not rectified their residency status within the grace period.

In recent weeks, ICP centers, including Amr centers and the Al Aweer center in Dubai, have experienced a surge of residents looking to correct their residency status, reflecting the critical impact of this initiative, especially in its final days.