Dubai’s Citizenship & Residency Court has handed down a landmark ruling, ordering the deportation of 161 individuals found guilty of major visa and business violations, Khaleej Times reported.
Alongside the deportation order, the court imposed fines amounting to AED 152.24 million on the defendants, who were accused of shutting down companies without legalising the residency status of their workers and misusing entry permits for profit.
Authorities said the group had unlawfully traded and sold permits, undermining the UAE’s residency and labour system. The ruling underscores the country’s firm stance against visa fraud, warning that violations will carry severe penalties.
The case adds to a series of crackdowns. In a recent ruling, 21 defendants were convicted of running one of Dubai’s largest visa scams by creating 33 fake companies to obtain 385 residency visas. The court fined them AED 25.2 million and also ordered their deportation.
Officials stressed that such measures are essential to protect workers’ rights and uphold the integrity of the UAE’s labour and residency laws.
