Introduction
With over 70,000 Kenyans living and working in the UAE, most of them in Dubai, it’s important to highlight the challenges they face.
Dubai is not the capital of the UAE (that title goes to Abu Dhabi), but it remains the main hub for job opportunities.
Below are some of the most common challenges Kenyans encounter in the UAE.
1. Overstaying Visa / Needing an Outpass
A major challenge is people overstaying their visas, which puts them in violation of UAE law.
One way overstayers can leave the country legally is by applying for an outpass, a temporary document issued to:
- People who have overstayed their visa
- Those who lost their passports
- Those waiting for their visa renewal
- Workers whose residence visas were cancelled
The outpass allows them to exit the UAE legally.
Related: Top Jobs Kenyans Are Doing in Dubai and the UAE
2. Rogue Agents
This is one of the biggest problems for Kenyans seeking Gulf jobs. Agents that only care about turning a profit and not actually provide decent job opportunities for Kenyans.
Rogue agents in Kenya often:
- Charge illegal fees for job placement
- Offer fake or misleading job promises
- Send people into harsh work conditions
- Confiscate passports (which is illegal) – It is the employer in Dubai that keeps the passport
- House workers in overcrowded, unclean accommodations
In our previous exclusive interview with a Kenyan living in Dubai, she warned:
“Never accept a job that requires you to surrender your passport.”
Once you give up your passport, you lose bargaining power and become extremely vulnerable.
3. Cancellation of Residency Visas
Some agents and employers work together to exploit Kenyans by:
- Issuing a valid residency visa
- Then cancelling it immediately upon arrival
- Which keeps the worker stranded and illegal
- Forcing them to keep working despite the cancelled visa
This is usually done so employers can avoid paying:
- Insurance
- Visa renewal fees
- Airfare
- Other legal costs
It’s a manipulative tactic that traps workers.
Related: UAE Visa For Kenyans – Requirements & Costs
4. Lack of Proper Information
Many Kenyans travel without fully understanding the legal process of securing a job in the UAE. One needs to understand the labor laws, their rights as employees, and the legitimate channels for job applications.
This lack of information makes them easy targets for rogue agents and predatory employers.
What Kenyans should do:
- Consult the Diaspora Affairs Office or Diaspora Wealth Association
- Apply for jobs directly through LinkedIn or official company career pages
- Use the UAE Job Seeker Visa to search for employment legally – the UAE has different types of visas, so you can get the job search one and give yourself some time while in the country to get a job.
- Avoid any employer who insists on keeping your passport
5. Limited Support from the Kenyan Embassy
Some Kenyans facing difficulties report challenges in receiving timely support from the Kenyan Embassy in Abu Dhabi. This can make a bad situation worse, especially for people who were already exploited by their employers.
Conclusion
The UAE offers great opportunities, but it’s important for job seekers to:
- Research thoroughly
- Avoid rogue agents – ask as many people questions about the agent you are using
- Use legitimate recruitment channels
- Understand their rights – Proper information is the best protection.
