Employment-based immigration law

Navigating the UAE’s immigration and labour permit system requires precise legal and procedural knowledge. At Kayrouz & Associates, we help employers and professionals manage immigration compliance across mainland and free zone jurisdictions.

Practice Overview

From work permits to residence visas, the UAE’s employment-based immigration landscape is governed by a complex web of federal and local regulations. Our legal team works with businesses and individuals to ensure compliance with visa requirements, labor approvals, and sponsorship rules across the Emirates.

We advise on the full range of immigration matters, including new visa applications, renewals, golden visa eligibility, and family sponsorships tied to employment status. Our lawyers also support businesses in managing employee mobility between branches or jurisdictions, especially in cases involving free zone entities or cross-border secondments.

Kayrouz & Associates regularly assists HR teams in responding to administrative challenges such as visa delays, cancellations, or regulatory investigations. Our approach balances legal accuracy with efficiency to ensure uninterrupted business operations and employee continuity.

We offer legal advice on a wide spectrum of matters:

  • Employment visa and labor card applications
  • Golden visa eligibility assessments and filings
  • Free zone and mainland immigration compliance
  • Sponsorship transfers and cancellation processes
  • Advisory on immigration audits or investigations
  • Strategic workforce mobility and cross-border planning

Meet Our Team

Our team is equipped to handle complex legal matters with precision and care. Learn more about our lawyers below.
Pierre Kayrouz

Pierre Kayrouz

Chief Legal Officer
Maria Valeyeva

Maria Valeyeva

Chief Compliance Officer
Georges Touma

Georges Touma

Head Litigator
Hanan Ahmed Al Balushi

Hanan Ahmed

Practicing Lawyer
Lathamani Chandrashekar

Lathamani Chandrashekar

Senior Corporate Counsel
Arka Navle

Arka Navle

Corporate Counsel
Nashita Nazneen

Nashita Nazneen

Junior Corporate Counsel
Professor Mark Engelman

Mark Engelman

Intellectual Property Barrister
Rita Semaan

Rita Semaan

Legal Consultant
Carlos Rahme

Carlos Rahme

Senior Legal Consultant
Souhad Al Ghorayeb

Souhad Al Ghorayeb

Senior Legal Consultant
Sandy Y. Geagea

Sandy Geagea

Legal Consultant
Saeed Gaber

Saeed Gaber

Legal Research Analyst
Muhammed Ali Charif

Muhammed Ali Charif

Junior Legal Counsel
Jenifer Abu Nasr

Jenifer Abu Nasr

Paralegal
Patricia Abi Mansour

Patricia Abi Mansour

Business Development Manager
Valakshmi Balasubramanian

Varalakshmi Balasubramanian

Operations Assistant
Corporate & Commercial Law

Shareholder Agreements in UAE: Key Clauses and Enforcement

Foreign shareholders and investors frequently ask whether their shareholder agreements are actually enforceable in the UAE. This guide explains which clauses work in onshore courts versus DIFC and ADGM, why alignment with constitutional documents matters, and how to draft agreements that hold up when relationships break down.

read article
December 13, 2025
Corporate & Commercial Law

How UAE Law Handles Supply Chain Contract Disputes

Global supply chains face unprecedented disruption, and UAE businesses must understand how contracts allocate risk when things go wrong. This guide examines force majeure under Article 273, INCOTERMS selection, and dispute resolution options available to logistics companies.

read article
December 11, 2025
Corporate & Commercial Law

UAE letters of credit: legal framework, documentary requirements, and dispute resolution

The UAE's trade volumes exceeded AED 2.2 trillion in 2024, with letters of credit facilitating over 40% of import-export transactions. This comprehensive guide examines the legal framework, documentary requirements, costs, and strategic considerations for businesses using documentary credits in UAE cross-border trade.

read article
December 10, 2025
View all news and insights