Pakistani expatriates, job seekers, and visitors to the UAE are encouraged to familiarize themselves with local laws and regulations, according to a recent video advisory from Pakistani diplomatic missions. Hussain Muhammad, Consul-General at the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai, emphasized that the advisory aims to help Pakistanis understand their rights and responsibilities to prevent legal issues. Violating local laws may lead to serious consequences, including imprisonment, fines, or deportation.
The advisory highlighted that visas for Pakistani nationals can be verified through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai (GDRFA) for Dubai, and through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security for other emirates like Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Job seekers are urged to confirm the legitimacy of potential employers through official government channels and to reach out to the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate in Dubai for assistance.
For information on labor laws, individuals can consult the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratizations (Mohre) website, which offers email and chat support. Immigration inquiries can be directed to Amer Centre’s, while Tasheel Centres are available for labor-related issues.
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In case of criminal incidents or disputes, it is crucial to report to the police without delay. Workplace violations should be reported to Mohre within a year after a work permit cancellation. The video also stressed the importance of keeping essential documents—like medical records, passport and visa copies, employment contracts, and financial records—accessible and shared with family members for emergencies.
Expatriates are advised to use official channels for money transfers between the UAE and Pakistan and to safeguard personal identification, including ID cards, SIM cards, passports, Emirates IDs, and email accounts. The advisory warned against the risks of online banking and credit card fraud, urging individuals to secure life and medical insurance in both countries. Additionally, Pakistani employees are encouraged to obtain Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) insurance.
With around 1.7 million Pakistanis in the UAE, representing the second-largest expatriate community in the country, adherence to these guidelines is essential. Key recommendations include:
- Avoid sharing content that may offend religious sentiments.
- Refrain from uploading immoral or vulgar material or content related to human trafficking.
- Do not criticize other countries’ policies online.
- Avoid participating in protests or posting threatening content.
- Seek consent before sharing photos or videos of others.
- Respect the privacy of others and refrain from spreading rumors or misinformation.
- Safeguard personal information like passwords and PINs.
- Do not engage in employment while on a tourist visa.
- Be cautious with post-dated and blank cheques.
- Follow traffic laws, as international driving licenses are valid only for non-residents.
- Strictly avoid narcotics and banned substances.
- Do not raise funds for unregistered charities, as this is illegal.
- Acknowledge that serious crimes carry severe penalties.
Sami Ullah Khan, Community Welfare Attaché at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, urged individuals to share the advisory video with friends and family, particularly those living in or planning to visit the UAE.
