Residence Rules
Visa rules, overstay fines, Emirates ID, tenancy, and residency regulations
Failure to notify change of address within 30 days
Not updating the registered residential address with ICP or the relevant authority within 30 days of moving to a new property in the UAE
Employing a domestic worker without a contract
Hiring a domestic worker in the UAE without providing and registering a written employment contract as required by UAE Domestic Workers Law
Operating a business from a residential property
Conducting commercial or business activities from a residential unit without obtaining a home-based business licence from the relevant authority
Failure to sponsor family visa within allowed period
Allowing a dependent family member to remain in the UAE after their entry permit expires without processing their residence visa within the permitted timeframe
Providing false information on visa application
Submitting incorrect forged or misleading documents or information as part of a UAE residence or visit visa application
Leaving the UAE for more than 6 months (residence cancellation)
Absenting yourself from the UAE for more than 6 consecutive months which automatically voids a residence visa under UAE law
Failure to cancel residence visa of departing employee
An employer failing to cancel the UAE residence visa of a sponsored employee who has left or been terminated within the required timeframe
Renting to undocumented or illegal residents
Knowingly renting or leasing a property to individuals who do not hold a valid UAE residence visa or legal immigration status
Failure to obtain NOC for property transfer
Transferring ownership or title of a UAE property without first obtaining a No Objection Certificate from the developer or relevant land authority
Failure to register Ejari (Dubai tenancy registration)
Not registering a tenancy contract with Ejari within 90 days of signing as required by the Dubai Land Department
Holding more than one residence visa simultaneously
Maintaining two active UAE residence visas under different sponsors at the same time without cancelling the previous one
Using a cancelled residence visa to access services
Presenting or using a UAE residence visa that has been officially cancelled in order to obtain government or commercial services
Failure to insure domestic worker
Employing a domestic worker in the UAE without providing the mandatory health and liability insurance required under UAE Domestic Workers Law
Failure to carry out medical fitness test for residence visa
Not completing the mandatory medical fitness examination within 30 days of entry for residence visa applicants in the UAE
Littering in public (Abu Dhabi repeat offence)
A second or subsequent act of disposing waste outside designated containers in Abu Dhabi within the same year
Failure to register a marriage in the UAE
Not officially registering a marriage conducted in the UAE with the Personal Status Court or authorised religious court within the required period
Failure to obtain golden visa medical test on time
Failing to complete the required medical screening for a UAE Golden Visa within 60 days of receiving the entry permit
Failing to pay annual municipality housing fee
Not paying the mandatory annual Dubai Municipality housing fee of 5% of annual rent which is included in the DEWA bill for residential tenants
Conducting home-based tutoring without a permit
Providing paid tutoring or private educational services from a residential address in the UAE without the required educational activity permit
Bounced cheque (over AED 200k)
Issuing a cheque that bounces due to insufficient funds for an amount exceeding AED 200000
Working without a valid work permit
Engaging in paid employment in the UAE without a Ministry of Human Resources work permit linked to a valid employer
Online defamation or insults
Posting insulting defamatory or reputation-damaging content about others on social media or messaging apps
Spreading fake news online
Publishing or sharing false misleading or unverified information through digital platforms
Renting property without a tenancy contract
Occupying a residential or commercial property in the UAE without a legally registered tenancy contract
Employing workers without permit
Hiring or employing any worker in the UAE without obtaining the required work authorisation permit
Overstay daily fine (residence cancelled)
Remaining in the UAE after a residence visa is cancelled, beyond the 30-day grace period
Bounced cheque (AED 50k-100k)
Issuing a cheque that bounces due to insufficient funds for amount between AED 50000 and AED 100000
Subletting property without landlord consent
Re-renting or subletting a leased property to another party without written permission from the original landlord
Photographing people without consent
Taking photos or videos of individuals without their permission especially in private settings
Failure to register a newborn within 15 days
Not registering the birth of a child born in the UAE with the relevant Civil Status authority within 15 days of birth
Drug possession (personal use first offence)
Being found in possession of any narcotic or psychotropic substance for personal use for the first time
Damaging protected trees
Removing cutting or damaging Al Ghaf Al Samar or Al Sidr trees which are protected species in Abu Dhabi
Fake Emiratisation
Engaging in fictitious hiring practices to falsely meet UAE national employment quotas
Operating an illegal short-term rental
Renting out a residential property on a nightly or short-term basis without a Holiday Home licence from DTCM
Abandoning a sponsored domestic worker
Dismissing or ceasing to support a sponsored domestic worker without cancelling the visa and providing end-of-service entitlements
Discarding cigarette butts (Abu Dhabi)
Throwing cigarette butts on the ground or outside designated ashtrays in Abu Dhabi
Failure to update Emirates ID within 30 days of change
Not updating the Emirates ID details within 30 days of a change in name marital status or address
Not carrying Emirates ID
Failing to carry the Emirates ID card at all times as required for all UAE residents aged 15 and above
Public display of affection
Engaging in kissing hugging or intimate physical contact in public places
Expired Emirates ID
Holding or presenting an expired Emirates ID card after its expiry date without renewing it.
Bounced cheque (under AED 50k)
Issuing a cheque that bounces due to insufficient funds for an amount under AED 50000
Drug possession (second offence)
Being caught with drugs for personal use a second time within 3 years of the first offence
Cohabitation of unmarried couples
Living together in the same residence by an unmarried couple in the UAE without a legal marriage contract
Drinking alcohol in public
Consuming alcohol in non-licensed public areas such as streets parks or beaches
Public intoxication
Being visibly drunk or disorderly in any public place even if alcohol was consumed legally
Bounced cheque (AED 100k-200k)
Issuing a cheque that bounces due to insufficient funds for amount between AED 100000 and AED 200000
Overstay daily fine (visit visa)
Remaining in the UAE after a visit visa expires, beyond the 10-day grace period allowed
Failure to renew residence visa on time
Allowing a UAE residence visa to expire without renewing it within the grace period, causing unlawful presence.
Littering in public (Dubai)
Throwing waste rubbish or cigarette butts on streets parks beaches or any public area in Dubai
Littering in public (Abu Dhabi first offence)
Disposing of waste outside designated containers in Abu Dhabi emirate on first violation
Swearing or rude gestures
Using profane language offensive hand gestures or making obscene signs in public
Overstaying a UAE visa
Remaining in the UAE beyond the authorised duration of stay printed on or linked to the entry visa
Selling alcohol to minors
Selling or providing alcoholic beverages to any person under the age of 21