Kamal Ghorui
Nearly two years after leaving her Kerala home to find work in the UAE, a 37-year-old woman was detained in Sharjah over a visa overstay and an absconding complaint filed by her sponsor. A tense period of uncertainty followed for her family back in Thrissur until political intervention and swift legal action in the UAE secured her release and safe return to India.
Kerala woman detained in UAE
A 37-year-old woman from Arimpur in Thrissur district, Kerala, has finally returned home after being detained in the United Arab Emirates due to an overstayed visa and an absconding complaint from her sponsor.She travelled to Sharjah nearly two years ago on a housemaid work visa, having paid a large sum to an agent to secure employment, according to Yab Legal Services, the firm that later helped her.She worked under this visa for about two years, but her legal status became irregular when it expired and she could not secure a renewal due to the agent’s high fees.
Overstay and detention
The woman’s agent reportedly demanded an additional AED 9,000 (around ₹220,000) to process the visa renewal, an amount she could not pay. As a result, her sponsor filed a complaint with immigration authorities alleging she had absconded, a serious legal accusation under UAE rules that can lead to detainment and deportation.Police became aware of her situation when they stopped her while she was buying items at a local supermarket in Sharjah and took her into custody based on the immigration complaint.
Overcoming legal challenges
Back in India, her family reported her missing, prompting intervention from Murali Perunelli, the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Manalur in Kerala. MLA Perunelli contacted Salam Pappinisseri, CEO of Yab Legal Services, a UAE-based immigration legal firm, to resolve the matter.Within two days, the firm coordinated with UAE authorities, completed required legal procedures, secured an outpass for her release, and handled travel arrangements back to India. Her return to Kerala relieved her family and community, marking a successful outcome after days of worry while she was detained legally in Sharjah.
Broader context
The UAE has been strictly enforcing visa rules, especially after the end of recent amnesty programs that allowed overstayers to exit without penalties.During the first half of 2025, authorities flagged over 32,000 visa violators, including people with expired or irregular status, as part of broader efforts to uphold immigration laws and prevent abuse of residency systems.Anyone whose visa expires without renewal or exit can face fines, detainment, deportation, or blacklisting. In many cases, legal help, embassy support, or advocacy from local representatives can expedite resolution and help avoid long-term consequences.
