In a recent awareness video posted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) on Tuesday, the story of Irene, a domestic worker who was living illegally in the UAE, was shared. The ministry aimed to stress the significance of addressing one’s visa status.
Irene had fled from her employer due to financial needs for her son’s education. Influenced by a friend’s promise of a better-paying job, she decided to run away, not seeking assistance from her employer. Unfortunately, the promises proved empty, leaving Irene isolated and illegally staying in the UAE. “I ended up living in this country illegally, can’t work, can’t go out, no support. I was illegally alone,” Irene expressed.
Meet Irene, a hardworking domestic worker, who lacked sufficient knowledge about the foreigners entry and residence laws, leading her to be in violation.
— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) October 10, 2023
As a result, she couldn’t return to work or leave her residence.
Determined to rectify her situation, she received full… pic.twitter.com/CQf6x2ajCQ
Her decision to overstay her visa resulted in accumulating substantial fines. After enduring several challenging months, Irene resolved to confront the ramifications of her actions. Turning to Mohre for assistance, she said, “They appreciated me for taking the decision, and fixed my situation.”
Mohre praised Irene’s bravery in making the right decision and used her story to encourage other illegal residents to amend their status promptly. The release of this video coincided with Mohre’s launch of an awareness campaign, focusing on infractions linked to tourist, work, and job-seeker visas.
Recently, the UAE standardized overstay fines, with the penalty being Dh50 for each day of the unlawful stay.
Mohre conveyed its dedication to supporting the well-being of residents, stating, “Because your peace of mind and happiness are our top priorities, it is essential to comply with labour and residency laws, and we are fully prepared to offer support to ensure your legal status and well-being.”