Foreigners planning to work in the UAE must know that they cannot work on visit visas or tourist visas. They need a legitimate work/residency visa/permit to be able to live and work legally in the UAE. The employer needs to procure the work and residency permits. Working without first obtaining the proper visa status is illegal and can lead to penalties and legal liability. The penalties apply to both: the employer and the employee.It says that you can’t work on a visit visa in Dubai. If caught, can lead to a penalty of three months jail as well as a fine of up to Dh10,000. This is due to the fact that working without the proper authorization is a significant violation of UAE labour regulations. Interim Statement By Government Official “Every foreigner who entered the country under a visit visa and wished to work in the country must obtain a permit from the competent authority. Otherwise, he shall have to bear in accordance with imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months. The fine would not exceed Dh10,000 or one of these two penalties, and the court shall order the deportation of the violator from the state.”