A 37-year-old woman from Arimpur in Thrissur district, Kerala, has returned to her hometown after being detained in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, due to an overstayed visa and an absconding complaint filed by her sponsor. She had traveled to the UAE nearly two years ago on a housemaid work visa, securing her employment through a substantial fee paid to an agent.

During her stay, her visa expired, complicating her legal status and preventing her from obtaining a renewal due to excessive fees demanded by her employment agent. Reports indicate that her agent requested an additional AED 9,000 (approximately ₹220,000) for processing the visa renewal, which she was unable to afford.

Detention and Family Concerns

The situation escalated when her sponsor lodged a complaint with immigration authorities, claiming she had absconded, a serious allegation under UAE immigration laws that can lead to detention or deportation. The police apprehended her while she was making purchases at a supermarket in Sharjah, acting on the immigration complaint.

In India, her family reported her missing, which led to intervention from Murali Perunelli, the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Manalur in Kerala. MLA Perunelli reached out to Salam Pappinisseri, the CEO of Yab Legal Services, a legal firm specializing in immigration matters in the UAE, to seek a resolution to her case.

Legal Assistance and Resolution

Yab Legal Services responded promptly, coordinating with the relevant UAE authorities. Within two days, they managed to complete the necessary legal protocols for her release and secured an outpass, facilitating her safe return to India. This development brought relief to her family and community, who had been in a state of worry during her legal detainment in Sharjah.

The quick legal intervention was instrumental in overcoming the challenges posed by her visa overstay situation and allowed her to make her way back to Kerala, reuniting with her loved ones.

Wider Implications

The enforcement of visa regulations in the UAE has become more stringent, particularly following the conclusion of amnesty programs that previously allowed individuals with overstayed visas to exit the country without penalties. Recent statistics indicated that over 32,000 visa violators, including those with expired or irregular statuses, were flagged by authorities during the first half of 2025, as part of efforts to uphold immigration laws and prevent misuse of residency privileges.

Individuals whose visas expire without renewal or exit face the possibility of fines, detention, deportation, or blacklisting. Legal assistance, support from embassies, and advocacy from local representatives often play crucial roles in resolving these immigration issues and mitigating long-term repercussions for affected individuals.

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