DUBAI — Residents in the United Arab Emirates are being warned against fraudulent freelance visa schemes that promise cheap residency permits but can leave victims facing financial losses, legal complications and hefty fines.
Fraudsters are advertising low-cost visa packages on social media, targeting residents seeking to regularise their immigration status or renew their existing visas.
According to industry experts, some agents offer two-year freelance visas for as little as Dh7,000, while others advertise packages for around Dh1,000 per month.
However, some applicants end up receiving partner visas linked to companies they know nothing about, exposing them to liabilities if those businesses accumulate fines, are blacklisted or become involved in legal disputes.
Firose Khan, chief executive of Arabian Business Centre, cited the case of a 55-year-old Dubai resident who paid Dh7,000 for what he believed was a freelance visa.
The man later discovered that he had been issued a partner visa linked to an unfamiliar company. When he attempted to renew it two years later, he learned that the company had been blacklisted and its other partners were absconding, leaving him facing outstanding fines and payments.
Noushad Hussain, managing director of Alhind Business Center, said unusually low prices should raise suspicion because legitimate visa arrangements involve official government fees and other applicable costs.
He also warned that applicants who deal with unknown agents on social media risk exposing their personal information to misuse. Fraudsters may request copies of passports, Emirates IDs and existing visas, potentially putting victims at risk of identity theft.
The warning follows continued enforcement efforts by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs Dubai, working with Dubai Police, against suspected illegal visa-related activities.
Last month, a singer was arrested in Dubai over allegations of promoting fraudulent freelance visa schemes in exchange for money.
In another reported case, a man who travelled to the UAE on a visit visa lost Dh8,000 after allegedly paying a fraudulent agent to help him obtain a freelance visa.
Salam Pappinissery, chief executive of YAB Legal Services, said victims should act quickly if they suspect they have been defrauded.
He advised victims to contact their banks, card issuers or exchange houses immediately to request a payment recall, chargeback or fraud investigation. They should also report the incident to the police and provide the relevant report number to their financial institution.
In Dubai, suspected fraud can be reported through Dubai Police’s eCrime platform, smart application or non-emergency number 901. Abu Dhabi residents can use the Aman service.
Pappinissery noted that recovering lost money depends on factors including how the payment was made, how quickly the fraud was reported and whether the funds can still be traced.
How legitimate freelance visas work
Industry experts say legitimate freelance visa arrangements are available through designated free zones in the UAE.
These arrangements generally involve a freelance permit or licence and, where applicable, a residence visa, allowing eligible individuals to carry out authorised freelance activities.
Requirements and fees vary depending on the issuing free zone and the applicant’s circumstances. Applicants may be asked to provide a passport, proof of professional experience, a portfolio, educational certificates and a no-objection certificate where required.
Experts advise residents to verify the issuing authority, licence and visa arrangements before making payments. They should also confirm that the documents issued match the services advertised and avoid handing over sensitive personal information to unverified agents.
Residents seeking freelance opportunities are urged to use authorised channels and check the relevant free zone’s official requirements rather than relying on social media advertisements promising unusually cheap or guaranteed visas.
Source: Khaleej Times
