Also on 22 July 2026, Dubai-based Malayalam portal Samayam issued an explainer warning foreign workers about steep penalties for violating revised UAE visa and labour regulations. Key take-aways include: • Grace-period changes – The number of days a foreigner may stay after visa cancellation now depends on skill level and job category; highly skilled professionals can receive up to 60 days, but entry-level workers may have only 30. Overstaying incurs daily fines starting at AED 50. • ILOE insurance mandatory – Renewal of work permits is now conditional on proof of subscription to the Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) scheme. Non-compliance attracts automatic fines and blocks further government transactions. • Health-insurance enforcement – All employers across every emirate must provide valid medical coverage for employees and their dependants. Applications for visa renewal or family sponsorship will be rejected without it. • Absconding risks – Failing to honour contractual notice periods can trigger an "absconding" case, potentially leading to bans and fines of up to AED 10,000. Mobility teams are urged to audit staff files to confirm ILOE enrolment, updated health policies and accurate departure dates for leavers. They should also brief line managers on correct notice-period procedures to avoid accidental immigration breaches. For new hires, onboarding checklists must verify that any previous visa has been cancelled properly and that the employee remains within grace-period limits.
Source: Samayam Malayalam
