ARTICLE
6 August 2018

UAE Jobseekers Who Exaggerate CVs Face Three-Year Jail Sentence

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Dr. Hassan Elhais

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Dr. Hassan Elhais, a long-standing member of the prestigious Amal Alrashedi Lawyers & Legal Consultants, is a renowned legal consultant in the UAE, specializing in family law, criminal law, civil law, company incorporation, construction law, banking law, inheritance law, and arbitration. Dr. Elhais has gained wide recognition in the country, winning numerous awards and accolades. He was declared the Legal Consultant of the Year in 2026 by Leaders in Law. He was also elected as the co-chair of the ‘Relocation of Children Committee’ of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), a worldwide association of practicing lawyers, widely regarded as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries. Dr. Hassan Elhais’s continued recognition in the 2025 Chambers and Partners rankings for Family/Matrimonial services to High-Net-Worth individuals in the UAE from 2022-2025.
Leading lawyer warns of dire consequences for embellishing CVs with false information.
United Arab Emirates Criminal Law
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Leading lawyer warns of dire consequences for embellishing CVs with false information

People who include false information in their CVs could be looking at jail sentences of up to three years, according to a leading lawyer.

Dubai-based Hassan Elhais said that it is not only immoral for people to embellish their CVs, but they also run a serious risk of facing criminal prosecution and being deported.

He was speaking in the wake of a feature, by The National, which revealed that some employers have been turning to private investigators to do background checks on jobseekers.

Some companies said exaggerating skills on CVs was common but to falsify information entirely would result in an offer being withdrawn as the candidate would have shown that they are not trustworthy.

"It is absolutely illegal and if you are prosecuted you could face jail and deportation," said Mr Elhais.

"If you are referred for criminal prosecution then you will face anything from a fine to being jailed and deportation."

Mr Elhais said that if a jobseeker claims to possess a degree, which they do not, then that will be classified as a clear case of fraud – something that could have dire consequences.

"It would be seen as very serious and a clear case of fraud under article 399 of UAE Law. You would face a jail term of up to three years after which, of course, you would also be deported," he said.

"This is viewed as an extremely serious crime to commit."

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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