UAE is the center for businesses, tourism, commercial, and employment activities. On an annual basis, the country attracts thousands and millions of foreigners. UAE has been continuously evolving over the years. It has a cosmopolitan society that is well regulated with a robust legal framework. There are comprehensive laws and regulations for the departure, entry, and residency of foreigners in the UAE. To ensure transparency, control, and national security, the UAE has enacted the Federal Law by Decree No. 29 of 2021 concerning the entry and residence of foreigners. Learn more about UAE Federal law with our legal consultants.
Overview of Federal Law by Decree No. 29 of 202
Omanage, organize and deal with entry and residence permits for expatriates/foreigners.
To facilitate the foreign investment.
To facilitate skilled immigration.
Safeguard the sovereignty a of UAE.
Protrect security of UAE.
Ensure protection of foreigners and safety.
Ensure legal compliance.
Maintain trust and credability.
Matter of National Security
Considering it is a matter of national security, the UAE has enacted Federal decree
Laws. It is done to make sure the movements are controlled, monitored, and scrutinized. It ensures transparency, national security, and public safety for all.
Federal Law No.29 of 2021
UAE has passed the federal decree law no 29 of 2021 related to entry and residence of foreigners in UAE. This law consolidates and updates the residency rules. It also aligns the laws with the UAE’s long-term development vision.
The law also includes the golden visa, green visa, and multi-entry permits. This law offers a detailed legal framework. It administers that foreigners can legally reside, work, and invest in the UAE.
Federal Decree Law No. 29 of 2021
The prime objective is to organize entry and residence permits for all foreigners in and outside the UAE. It facilitates foreigners coming inside and going out of the UAE. It supports direct foreign investments into the country.
The federal law intends to facilitate skilled immigration into the territory. The key aim of federal decree law is to safeguard the sovereignty of the country. Besides, it also ensures the safety of the UAE boundaries and works for national security.
Over time different provisions have been included that introduced flexible residency options for foreigners in the UAE. Further, it also offers a wide range of long-term residency plans to them.
Federal Laws and Emirates
Federal laws are applicable over all the seven emirates of UAE. Moreover, it also covers the free zones within the UAE. It further empowers the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP). It is a major regulatory body of the UAE that handles the movements inside and outside the UAE.
Types of Visa Classification
Over time, there has been an introduction of a more structured classification of visas and entry permits. Visit Visas are granted to foreign nationals when they are entering the UAE.
They may visit the UAE for tourism, business meetings, medical purposes, family visits, and more. The timeframe allowed to them varies from 30 to 90 days. However, there are a few categories where extensions may be granted.
Short term temporary VISAS: Temporary visas are issued for specific projects. It may be granted for short-term employment or training under UAE-based companies. This permits more flexibility. However, it is associated with a legal sponsor.
Green VISA: Green Visa is another category. It aims to cater to freelancers, skilled workers, investors, and others. It permits 5 years of self-sponsor residence. Further, it eliminates the requirement for company sponsorship.
Golden VISA: Golden Visa is given for long-term residency option. The duration varies from 5 or 10 years. It is mainly granted to investors, exceptional talents, skilled professionals, researchers, and students with brilliant academic performance.
Student and Family Visas as the name suggests are primarily for students and their families. The law enables longer-term residency mainly in academic institutions accredited by the UAE government.
Note: Please check with immigration lawyers about latest information.
Penalties for Non-Compliance of Federal Laws in UAE
The federal law not only sets the visa categories and foreigners coming to the UAE. It also imposes clear penalties for violations. Those who are violating entry and residency laws will face serious legal implications. It may include overstaying of a foreign national. Any Foreigners who overstay their visa without a valid justification will face penalties. It may result in heavy fines beginning from AED 50 per day. It could also lead to deportation orders.
Anyone who is working without a valid job permit will face hefty fines. This could result in AED 50,000 for both the worker and the employer. Besides, tourists and workers using a Visit Visa for Employment must adhere to the strict guidelines. Those who are violated will face serious legal implications. It may lead to penalties like visa cancellation, deportation, blacklisting, and financial fines.
Those who are stuck in such situations can get assistance from UAE lawyers. They are often hired to mediate with the concerned authorities in the UAE. They may interact with government authorities and immigration authorities. It will result in appeal fines and even deportation. Therefore, to avoid legal implications it is better to get attorneys in Dubai on board. If the legal justifications are provided, there may be a relief on humanitarian grounds.
Those individuals who are a threat to national security will be deported from the UAE. The attorneys in Dubai have the expertise and experience in immigration litigation. They will file petitions and launch appeals against the verdict. However, it will account for case circumstances.
Role of Seasoned Lawyers in Dubai
A well-known law firm in Dubai helps expatriates understand their eligibility and prepares the sponsorship application. They will address the cases of sponsorships being rejected or retrieved. The lawyers work over the documentation and draft the paperwork. Lawyers in Dubai can resolve those employers and employees who are facing suspensions, deportation, and hefty fines linked to visa status.
They are capable of representing the companies and employees in the negotiation and mediation process. They directly get involved with the relevant authorities to provide relief to the clients. In some cases, there are exceptions or humanitarian grounds on which the foreign nationals are offered relief.
This may be in the form of temporary permits or extensions law firms in Dubai will engage to represent the humanitarian petitions to the immigration authorities in UAE. The legal appeals made must be structured and compliant with laws and guidelines. Therefore, Dubai lawyers get involved with documentation and adding references to the relevant clauses of the law. The written petitions will be in Arabic.
