Even long-time migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) find it hard sometimes to understand the consequences of grave actions done within UAE territory.
“Despite a push by the public authorities to codify practice, the application of a ban can still be arbitrary, and subject to the discretion of the officials involved in the process,” explained legal consultancy firm Amereller in a public document.
“Visa bans and immigrations bans are one of the more confusing topics facing employers and workers in the UAE,” reads the informational article written by Jonathan P. Noble and Amer Jamoukha.
According to Emirates Diary, an immigration ban in the UAE prevents a person from entering or obtaining residency in the Emirates.
“You may be served with immigration ban if you have committed criminal offences,” it explained in an article.
Among the cases it cited are cases of bounced cheques, bad debt, drunk driving, theft, or entering the Emirates illegally.
For bounced cheques and bad debt, it said “you will have immigration ban ‘till the time you are cleared or you have served your sentence.”
“In case if you have absconded from your work and have not reported to work for a prolonged time, your employer may list you under absconding list, and you will have immigration ban,” it added.
The 2017 Amereller public document also explains that “the steps liberalizing the labor ban have not affected the immigration ban” even though a lot of expatriates are often confused by the two.
