Seeking jobs on tourist visas in Dubai to face tough action as authorities tighten rules

Raising the bar on its stringent policies, Dubai has introduced new visa regulations where one must prove the relationship with the proposed tourist and, also, accommodation capabilities by host. The visa applicant also must prove financial status

Dubai: To combat the rampant misuse of tourist visas by foreigners in general and Indians in particular, Dubai authorities have tightened regulations in issuing tourist visas.

As every day, some thousands of foreigners arrive in Dubai on tourist visas and then scout for jobs. Many firms also exploit tourist visa holders by offering them work under false pretences.

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Raising the bar on its stringent policies, Dubai has introduced new visa regulations where one must prove the relationship with the proposed tourist and, also, accommodation capabilities by host. The visa applicant also must prove financial status.

According to the new rules, the travellers planning to stay with family in Dubai need to provide their host’s rental agreement, residency visa, contact details besides return ticket during visa application process. Those who intend to stay in hotels are required to provide hotel booking details.

“If it’s a small house or even a studio apartment, the visa application will be rejected,” a leading travel agent in Dubai, hailing from Hyderabad, whose agency processes an average of 300 tourist visas a day.

Not all can offer to host visiting persons, with Dubai authorities also verifying the relationship with the tourist visa applicant, he added. Though it was not mentioned anywhere officially yet, officials are checking it based on passport particulars, he said.

The authorities have also initiated strict measures against firms that hire foreigners on tourist or visit visas. With the new labour laws, companies that hire individuals without proper work permits now face steep fines. These fines range from AED 1,00,000 to AED 1 million (approximately Rs.23 lakh to Rs 2.3 crore).