The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Court has ordered a defendant to return Dh 8,700 plus 4 per cent annual interest after he failed to deliver the UAE work visa he had promised to a job-seeker. Court documents show that the claimant transferred the money after assurances that a legitimate employment visa and job placement would be arranged. When neither materialised, repeated refund requests were ignored, prompting legal action. The court ruled that the defendant’s possession of the funds had “no legitimate basis” and awarded full repayment with interest and costs. Although the amount is modest, lawyers say the judgment sends a strong deterrent signal at a time when social-media adverts for “guaranteed UAE visas” have proliferated. Employers and relocation managers are urged to vet third-party agents rigorously and to insist on government-issued transaction receipts. From a corporate-mobility perspective, the case highlights the reputational and compliance risks that arise when prospective employees attempt to obtain UAE work permits outside official channels. Companies should remind candidates that work visas can only be sponsored by licensed entities and must be processed through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) or the relevant free-zone authority.
Source: Emirates 24|7
