Want to work during Dubai trip? Get probationary permit

Visitors to Dubai who wish to work during their visit visa period have been advised to buy a probationary work permit first, a news report has said, quoting a senior official.

Counsellor Ali Humaid bin Khatem, head of the Naturalisation and Residency Prosecution Department in Dubai, appealed to visitors to acquire this permit instead of flouting the Foreigner Entry and Residency Law by working when they are on a visit visa.

"The permit is valid for three months and is available at the Ministry of Labour for visitors who find an employer during their stay.

"However, if they are caught working in Dubai on visit visas, they would be jailed and fined," Bin Khatem told Khaleej Times.

The penalty could be a one-month jail term or a fine of 1,000 dirhams.

Deportation is compulsory in such cases.

"The MoL organises regular and impromptu inspection visits to establishments to check on the companies' compliance with the labour laws and the Foreigner Entry and Residency Law," he said.

Bin Khatem also advised residents who have pending labour cases against their sponsoring employer at the Labour Court to acquire an approval from the Labour Court if they want to work elsewhere.

The ignorance of laws would not spare the violators from being held legally accountable.

"Regulations and laws should not be crossed and ignored, whatever be the reason.

Breaching laws entails jail terms and deportation," Bin Khatem warned.

He also urged private sector workers to get familiar with the Foreigner Entry and Residency Law to avoid committing violations, even if they are not intentional.