New Visa Rules being framed for Job seekers in UAE

The UAE plans tougher rules on issuing visit and tourist visas because most of the residency law violators, who seek the ongoing visa amnesty, entered the country on such visas, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) announced.

Many of the residency violators were also involved in dangerous crimes, warranting stringent measures to prevent such people from entering the country, the officials told the media. Most of the residency law violators who entered the country on a visit or tourist visa were job seekers. Therefore, the authority plans to introduce a three-to-six month-long visa for job seekers.

As part of the tougher rules, some pre-conditions, including a security deposit, may be introduced for issuing visit and jobseeker visa. The pre-conditions will ensure that such visitors go back after the expiry of their visas.

The authority is also planning to ask the foreign embassies to bear the costs of flight tickets for their citizens who overstay in the UAE because such people often do not have money for a ticket to go back home.

The authority warned that there would be regular inspection campaigns to identify residency law violators after October 31, the final day of the ongoing visa amnesty. Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, Director of Residency Affairs at the authority (left), told journalists that violators will face arrest and tougher legal action after the amnesty period.

He said the amnesty is a good opportunity for violators to rectify their status, or leave the country without paying any fines.

Dr Yousuf Al Sherif, the legal advisor at the authority, said the courts will give tougher punishments, including hefty fines and deportation, to residency law violators after October 31.

A sponsor or businessperson who employs an undocumented worker will be fined Dh50,000 [for each worker].

UAE leaders order formation of emergency relief committee to flood hit in Kerala

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has instructed the formation of a national emergency committee to provide relief assistance to people affected by flash floods in the Indian State of Kerala.

According to the President's instructions, the committee will be chaired by the Emirates Red Crescent, ERC, and include representatives from the UAE's humanitarian organizations.

The committee will also seek the help of dignitaries of the Indian resident community.

The south Indian state was hit by the most massive and worst floods in a century, which killed hundreds of people, displaced hundreds of thousands of local population and swept away their homes.

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, extended their heartfelt condolences to the brotherly Indian people and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the loss of life over the last few days.

The UAE leaders' instructions stressed the importance of mobilising national efforts of UAE humanitarian actors to coordinate emergency relief operations to help the victims of the affected people in a way that reflects the spirit of the historic friendship that bind the peoples of the UAE and India and directly supports the Indian government's efforts to minimise the devastating impact of the floods on the population.

President issues Decree amending UAE Cybercrimes Law

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued Emiri Decree No. 02 of 2018 amending the UAE Cybercrimes Law. According to the Decree, Article Nos. 26, 28 and 42 of Federal Decree-Law No. 05 of 2012 on Combatting Cybercrimes will be replaced with updated provisions.

Article No. 26 stipulates an imprisonment period of at least ten years and not exceeding 25 years, and a fine not less than AED2 million and not in excess of AED4 million on whoever establishes, manages or runs a website or publishes information on the computer network or information technology means for the interest of a terrorist group or any unauthorised group, association, organisation, or body with the intent to facilitate communication with their leaders or members or attract new members, or to promote or praise their ideas, finance their activities or provide actual assistance thereof or for the purpose of publishing methods for manufacturing incendiary devices or explosives or any other devices used in terrorist acts.

The Article also details an imprisonment period not exceeding five years, and a fine not less than AED500,000 and not in excess of AED1 million for whoever establishes, manages or runs a website or publishes information on the computer network or information technology means with the aim to incite hate. For first-time offenders, the court may rule for the accused to be placed under electronic probation and monitoring, and prevented from using information technology means during a period not exceeding the maximum penalty prescribed.

Article No. 28 stipulates a punishment of temporary imprisonment and a fine not in excess of AED1 million for whoever establishes, manages or runs a website or uses information on the computer network or information technology means with intent to incite acts or publishes or transmits information, news or cartoon drawings or any other pictures which may endanger the national security and the higher interests of the State or afflicts its public order, or attacks on any member of the judicial courts system.

Lastly, Article No. 42 entails that subject to the second paragraph of Article No. 121 of the UAE Penal Code, the court may decide deportation of a foreigner who is convicted in any of the crimes specified in Federal Decree-Law No. 05 upon execution of the sentence adjudged.

Any provision contrary to the provisions of this Decree-Law shall be repealed and the latest issue shall be published in the Official Gazette.