UAE issues warning for job seekers on six-month visa

The Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship has called on all immigrants entering the country with a 'job seekers' visa to pay attention to the visa's validity. The authority also called on people to regularize their status in accordance with the provisions of the law of entry and residence of expats in the state, and refrain from violating the law.

The authority confirmed that the temporary six-month residence visa doesn't require a sponsor and is not subject to exemption or extension. All those who have obtained the temporary visa should transfer his or her residency under a sponsor or leave the country before the visa expires in order to avoid penalties, which include fines and may result in imprisonment and deportation from the state.

Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, Director General of Foreign Affairs and Ports at the Authority, said that introducing this visa came within the framework of the directives of the country's wise leadership to allow people to legally stay in the country. The 'job seekers' initiative was created in cooperation with the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation.

Al Rashidi added that violators under the 'job seeker' visa will be treated the same as violators of a residency visa. A fine of Dh100 will be imposed on the first day of the violation, followed by a fine of Dh25 for every day of delay. He urged all to abide by the visa's law in the event that they can not secure a job.

Al Rashidi pointed out that the holder of this visa should get a legal job to able to stay in the country. He called on citizens, residents, and investors to make sure to transfer the holders of this visa under their sponsorship before hiring them, or else they will face a fine of Dh50,000. Al Rashidi pointed out that expiration date of 'job seekers' visas issued in December 2018 will be in June 2019.

He stressed that the state will take firm action against violators by organizing intensive search and prosecution campaigns to capture them, including imposing fines, jail time and deportation.

It is worth mentioning that the authority launched the "protect yourself by modifying your status" initiative on August 2018, which lasted for 5 months, and included exemptions to all violators of the visa law to encourage them to resolve their situation and benefit from the services provided by the country.