UAE immigration and law-enforcement officials have sounded a fresh alarm over bogus "freelance visas" after multiple residents were left with blacklisted sponsor companies and tens of thousands of dirhams in penalties. A Khaleej Times investigation published on 18 October details how victims were lured by social-media ads offering two-year visas for as little as AED 7,000 – well below legitimate free-zone rates – only to discover that the visas were partner permits tied to shell firms that later vanished. Firose Khan, CEO of Arabian Business Centre, told the paper that one 55-year-old expatriate now faces outstanding corporate fines he never incurred. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) confirmed ongoing crackdowns, including the arrest of a celebrity accused of promoting fraudulent schemes. Industry insiders say rogue agents prey on mid-career professionals who have lost jobs or reached the age cap for standard employment visas. Legitimate freelance or self-employment visas in the UAE can only be issued by recognised free zones such as Dubai Media City, Abu Dhabi’s twofour54 or Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, where fees start around AED 15,000, excluding medicals and insurance. Violators found using forged documents risk deportation, and the sponsors behind them can face criminal charges and fines up to AED 100,000 under Federal Decree-Law (29) of 2021. Corporate-mobility teams are urged to update pre-assignment briefings to include warnings against unofficial visa channels, especially for dependants seeking side gigs. HR departments should verify any external work permits on the ICP or GDRFA portals before onboarding freelancers to avoid joint liability for illegal employment. The episode highlights the darker side of the Emirates’ otherwise business-friendly freelance reforms and underscores the importance of due diligence when navigating the country’s increasingly sophisticated immigration landscape.
Source: Khaleej Times
