Welcome to Lawgical with Ludmila, where we untangle legal knots so that you do not have to. I am Ludmila Yamalova, a U.S.-qualified lawyer based in Dubai. In each episode, we break down complex law into clear, practical insights that you can actually use.
Today’s topic addresses a growing and deeply troubling practice in the UAE: buying residence visas.
If someone offers you a residence visa for sale, you need to understand this—yes, the visa may be real, issued by the UAE government—but it may also be fictitious, meaning the basis on which it was issued is false, improper, or illegal. That makes the entire arrangement open to liability and even prosecution. This practice is not just risky—it is often illegal, sometimes criminal, and almost always quite costly.
We are going to explore what it means to buy a visa, how the law views it, the types of improper visa schemes out there, and the crushing liability that can follow. I will also share a real-life case from our firm involving a married couple who thought they were buying peace of mind, but instead inherited a legal nightmare.
Legal Grounds for UAE Residence Visas
Let us begin with the basics: who can lawfully obtain a UAE residence visa, and on what basis?
Under Federal Decree Law No. 29 of 2021 on the entry and residence of foreigners, along with its implementing regulations (Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022), a residence visa may only be issued if the applicant qualifies under a legal sponsorship category. These two laws create the legal foundation for the issuance and regulation of residence visas.
The categories are as follows:
- Employment Visa
This used to be the most common type. To obtain it, you must be sponsored by a licensed company, and the visa must reflect your actual job role. For example, if you are issued a visa as a “Legal Advisor” or “Accountant,” you must actually perform that role. This requirement is governed by Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021, also known as the UAE Labour Law, and enforced by MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation). - Family Visa
A UAE resident may sponsor immediate family members, such as a spouse, children, or parents. This visa type is not linked to a job, property, investment, or company—it is purely linked to the sponsor’s valid residence. - Property Visa
Linked to property ownership in the UAE. Depending on the Emirate, property worth AED 750,000 or more may qualify the owner for a visa. Properties valued above AED 2 million may even qualify for a Golden Visa (10-year visa). - Golden Visa
Available to those who meet special criteria, such as owning financial investments, having a fixed deposit over AED 2 million, or possessing exceptional talents (e.g., doctors, lawyers). These are regulated under Cabinet Resolution No. 56 of 2018, amended in 2022. - Investor/Partner Visa
Issued when you set up a company and become a shareholder. This is different from the property-linked investor visa and often involves owning or co-owning a business. Multiple shareholders can receive this visa.
Any arrangement that falls outside these categories—or misrepresents the conditions of these categories—is legally invalid.
Common Illegal Scheme: Buying Employment Visas
Now let us break down one of the most common and dangerous scenarios: buying your own employment visa.
Many people—personal trainers, artists, interior designers—want to live in the UAE but either do not have jobs or do not want to be employed. They may not own property or have the means to set up a company. So, they “buy” an employment visa from a company that sponsors them on paper but does not actually employ them.
Legally, this is not permissible. An employment visa must be backed by a real, registered job, salary, and a relationship with a licensed company. This is clearly stated under Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, Article 6.
Any mismatch between the visa’s job title and your actual work, or no work at all, is considered a violation of both employment and immigration law.
Moreover, employment agreements must be formally registered with MOHRE or the relevant free zone, and all salary payments must be made through the Wage Protection System (WPS).
Penalties for Fake Employment Visas
The consequences are severe. Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2023, particularly Appendix II, outlines specific penalties:
- AED 50,000 per employee for hiring a foreign worker without a work permit.
- Repeat violations: AED 100,000, plus possible company license suspension.
- Fines for issuing a work permit for a non-existent job: AED 50,000 and potential blacklisting.
- WPS violations (e.g., non-payment of salary): fines from AED 1,000 to AED 5,000 per employee, depending on delay and number of employees.
These fines apply to both the company and the individual holding the fake visa. The company can face license freeze, shutdown, or criminal sanctions, while the individual may face deportation or criminal charges.
Real Case Study: The Hidden Nightmare
Let me share a real case that exemplifies how these schemes can escalate. A married couple approached a third-party service provider for a UAE residence visa. They were told it would be arranged end-to-end.
Without their knowledge:
- Two sole establishment companies were set up in their names.
- Twenty employees were hired across these companies.
- A third party was listed as manager on the trade license.
- The couple had no control, access, or knowledge of the business operations.
These “companies” were used by the agent to sell fake employment visas to others—effectively using the couple’s names and identities.
When the couple tried to renew their visas after two years, they were:
- Blocked from exiting the UAE
- Flagged by immigration
- Facing massive fines, expired company licenses, overstay penalties, WPS violations, and potential court cases from “employees” they had never met.
They had no documents, no agreements, no access to their government accounts, and no understanding of the extent of the liabilities tied to them.
Legal Cleanup: An Expensive, Exhausting Maze
Unwinding the damage involved:
- Terminating 20 fictitious employment contracts via MOHRE
- Cancelling the associated visas
- Paying overstay fines and unpaid salaries
- Renewing expired licenses
- Engaging in a formal liquidation process, including appointing a liquidator, submitting financial audits, and closing tax registrations
Even after all this, immigration authorities confirmed that until the companies were officially liquidated, the couple could not leave the country.
And what about pursuing the fraudulent agent?
While the agent’s actions were clearly illegal, the couple:
- Had no contact information or documents linking them to the agent
- Never dealt with the agent directly—only through a friend
- Had no written agreement or payment proof
- Likely could not track the agent, who may have already left the country
Yes, criminal and civil cases are possible—but time-consuming, expensive, and emotionally draining. Meanwhile, the couple still had to resolve their own legal entanglement to regain freedom of movement.
Final Thoughts
This entire disaster could have been avoided with basic due diligence. The couple never asked for documentation, never involved legal professionals, and did not understand what they were signing.
So, here is the key takeaway: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Buying a UAE residence visa is not like ordering a product online. It must be tied to a legitimate legal basis. Always consult lawyers, auditors, or compliance specialists—especially when entering a new country or legal system.
Even if you plan to handle things yourself later, get professional advice at the start. The UAE’s digital infrastructure makes many processes self-service, but that does not replace legal safeguards.
So to recap:
- Know what visa you are getting
- Understand the legal basis for it
- Know who the sponsor is
- And be aware of what obligations come with it
Because even if you do not understand the paperwork, UAE authorities will still hold you accountable.
That is it for this episode of Lawgical.
If you found it useful and like what we do, you can find more on our website at lylawyers.com. We are also on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and for the full experience, watch the video version on YouTube.
Until next time—stay informed, stay safe, and keep things Lawgical.
