UAE Visa: Illegal Work Risks and Penalties

"No. A person cannot legally work on a visitor visa in the UAE.

If someone works in the UAE while holding a visitor or tourist visa, it is considered illegal employment, and the consequences are very serious.

Below is the correct and clear explanation.

Working on a Visitor Visa in the UAE (Illegal Employment)

1. UAE law strictly prohibits working on a visitor or tourist visa

A visitor visa only allows:

Tourism

Short stays

Meetings

Job interviews

It does not permit:

Paid work

Unpaid work

Training

Trial shifts

Part-time or freelance work

Consequences for the Worker

If caught working illegally, the person may face:

Immediate arrest

Detention

Deportation

Ban from entering the UAE for several years

Fines

Blacklisting under immigration records

Consequences for the Employer

Companies or individuals who hire someone illegally can face:

Heavy fines

Business license suspension

Immigration bans

Legal action

Important Details

1. Even temporary or one-day work is illegal

Doing a few hours or days of work without a valid work permit is still considered illegal.

2. Volunteering or unpaid work is also illegal

Unless it is approved by UAE authorities.

3. Trial work for job selection is illegal

A company cannot ask a visitor to “try working for a day” or “show skills.”

This is treated as employment.

What a Visitor Can Legally Do

A visitor can:

Attend interviews

Search for jobs

Meet employers

Negotiate offers

After receiving an offer, the employer must apply for:

A work permit, then

A residence visa

Only after these are issued can the person legally work."