$41 Million Penalty: Dubai Slams 161 People with Massive Fines and Deportation in Major Visa Scam Crackdown
DUBAI, UAE — In one of the most significant rulings of its kind, the Dubai Citizenship and Residency Court has convicted 161 individuals for massive violations of residency and labour laws, resulting in staggering fines totalling AED 152,240,000 (approximately $41.48 million).
All 161 defendants were also ordered to be deported from the United Arab Emirates. The verdict underscores Dubai’s zero-tolerance policy towards visa fraud and the exploitation of its labour system.
The Details of the Exploitation
The convictions followed an investigation led by the Citizenship & Residency Prosecution. The court found the defendants guilty on two main counts:
- Illegal Visa Trading: The individuals were found to have unlawfully exploited entry permits through trading, including the outright sale of visas for personal financial gain. This practice directly affects the integrity of the UAE’s immigration framework.
- Negligence and Violations: The defendants were also found to have closed their commercial establishments without fulfilling their legal duty to regularize the residency status of the employees they had sponsored. This act of negligence left countless sponsored individuals in a vulnerable and illegal position.
The financial penalty of over AED 152 million is among the highest ever imposed in a visa and residency violation case in the emirate, reflecting the seriousness and scale of the fraud perpetrated by the convicted individuals.
Protecting the Labour Market
This landmark ruling serves as a stern warning to anyone attempting to misuse the UAE’s visa and residency rules. Authorities have confirmed the immediate deportation of all 161 defendants following the finalization of the fines, a move designed to protect the local labour market and the welfare of expatriate workers.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and the Public Prosecution are actively intensifying their crackdown on such illicit activities, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the system and preserving social stability.
Conclusion
The decisive action taken by the Dubai courts sends an unmistakable message: the exploitation of people and the abuse of the residency system will not be tolerated. By imposing a record-breaking fine and ordering the deportation of all those involved, Dubai is affirming its commitment to a robust, regulated, and ethical environment for all residents and workers.
Affiliate Disclosure
This article is purely for informational news reporting and contains no affiliate links or paid endorsements.
Disclaimer
All factual information regarding the fines (AED 152,240,000), the number of individuals (161), the court order (fines and deportation), and the nature of the crime (residency and labour violations/visa trading) is based on official statements and court records from the Dubai Citizenship and Residency Court and the Citizenship & Residency Prosecution. Details may be subject to legal appeals or final processes.
