Dubai government plans to offer pensions to expats

The Dubai government is evaluating plans to give pensions to foreign workers, based on suggestions by World Bank on how to improve employment laws including staff benefits, UAE daily The National reported on Sunday

 Representatives of the UAE and the ILO have also discussed the establishment of a pension fund for expatriate workers so that the Government can guarantee that workers receive end-of-service benefits.

"The employer would have to pay regularly to a fund supervised by a Government entity," said Maurizio Bussi, the deputy regional director for Arab States at the International Labour Organization (ILO).

"This especially indicates that the UAE is not looking for short-term labour contracts," said Azeem Ibrahim, an economic adviser to the government of Pakistan. "This sends a message that their contributions will be valued."

Nasser Munder, the Filipino labour attaché in Abu Dhabi, said a pension fund for the expatriate workforce would guarantee that workers receive their end-of-service benefits from their employers.

"Workers have said they often find it difficult to get their full and final settlement from their employers at the end of their contract," he said

"We are providing technical assistance in the area of employment policy. It covers the areas of expatriate benefit treatment including pensions," the paper quoted a senior World Bank official in the region as saying.

"There's a lot of experience globally on pension schemes including some that pertain to portable pension schemes, which could be applied to expatriate labour," the official added.

Dubai employers do not provide pensions for expatriates. Financial experts say the prospect of offering pensions could help to woo more foreign workers to the emirate as well as encourage them to stay longer in the country, the paper reported.

A possibility of converting the end-of-service gratuity system into pensions is also being considered, the paper cited an informed source.

Under a federal law dating back more than three decades, companies have to provide only end-of-service gratuities to employees who have completed one or more years of service, the report said.                                                                                             

Goodbye Ban: Employees Free to Switch Jobs Without NOC in the UAE

This is a collection of answers provided by Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director-General of the General Department for Residency and Foreigners' Affairs in Dubai, likely from a period before the most recent visa law changes.

I have updated the information with current regulations where applicable, especially regarding salary requirements and the sponsoring of a single parent, as UAE laws have evolved significantly.

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👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Current UAE Residency Rules: A 2025 Update

The following is broad information on the questions, with updated details based on the latest UAE residency laws (as of late 2024/2025).

1. Job Change (Employment Ban)

Original Answer

Updated Information (2025)

Original: You need to complete two years at the existing job. People can change work from private to government or semi-government without the need to complete two years.

Update: Under the current labour law, the concept of a mandatory six-month employment ban is largely removed for those on unlimited contracts, especially if the employee gives notice as per the contract. NOC is generally NOT required for an employee to switch to a new employer after completing the probationary period or if the contract is unlimited and they follow notice period rules. A worker can switch to a government/semi-government job without restriction. Final confirmation should always be checked with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).

2. Sponsoring Parents-in-Law

Original Answer	Updated Information (2025)
Original: You can apply for visa for them and obtain one-year residence visa.	Update: You can generally sponsor your parents-in-law for a one-year residence visa (renewable), provided you meet the required salary and accommodation criteria. This process is often treated as a special request and requires specific documentation. The process may be easier in Dubai (GDRFA) and Abu Dhabi (ICP/TAMM).

3. Maximum Stay Outside the UAE

Original Answer	Updated Information (2025)
Original: They have to enter the country before the end of the six months. According to the Federal Residency Law the residence permit granted to a foreigner shall be deemed as cancelled if the period of his/her stay outside the UAE exceeds six months.	Update: This rule has a significant EXEMPTION for holders of the Golden Visa. For standard residency visa holders, the rule that a visa is cancelled if the stay outside the UAE exceeds six months still generally applies. They must re-enter before the 180-day mark.

4. Sponsoring Mother: Salary Requirement

Original Answer

Updated Information (2025)

Original: To sponsor family members your salary should be Dh 10,000 and you should be of job category who can sponsor family members and you need to pay deposit Dh 5,000 and the visa will be valid for one year only and it can be renewed.

Update (Critical Change): The requirement to sponsor parents is often AED 10,000 to AED 15,000 per month (varies by Emirate/circumstance). You are no longer required to be in a specific job category. The key requirements are: * Salary: $\text{AED 10,000 - AED 15,000}$ (varies). * Sponsor Both Parents: You must generally sponsor both parents together. * Single Parent: If you wish to sponsor only your mother, you must provide official, attested proof that the other parent is deceased or legally divorced/separated (as per the question below). * Deposit: A refundable security deposit of AED 5,000 per parent is usually required. * Duration: The visa is granted for one year, renewable annually. * Health Insurance: Mandatory valid health insurance for the parent(s) for the entire duration of the visa.

5. Sponsoring a Single Parent (Mother only)

Original Answer

Updated Information (2025)

Original: As per current UAE laws, one needs to sponsor both the parents... You need to sponsor them both or to prove that they are separated or one of the passed away.

Update (Confirmation of Rule): This rule remains largely true. To sponsor only one parent (like your mother), you must provide attested legal documents to justify it. Required documents may include: * An Attested Death Certificate (if the father is deceased). * An Attested Divorce Certificate (if they are divorced). * An Affidavit/Certificate of Sole Support from your country's consulate in the UAE, attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), stating that you are her sole provider and there is no one else to care for her in the home country.

6. Health Issues (HB Positive)

Original Answer

Updated Information (2025)

Original: The residents’ visa will be issued or renewed depending on the medical report if it stated that the person is fit then the residents’ visa will be issued.

Update: Medical fitness rules have been updated and are subject to change. For a residency visa renewal, testing for Hepatitis B is generally not required, unless the worker is in one of the specific categories (like those in nurseries, health sector, or food handlers) where mandatory testing is required. For a new residence visa, a medical fitness test including tests for HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) is mandatory for those over 18. Active Pulmonary TB is a cause for rejection and deportation.

If you have a specific, new question about your situation, please let me know and I will try to find the most current and relevant information.

Is there a specific question you have based on these updated rules, or would you like me to research the current MoHRE rules regarding your ability to change jobs?

 

medical examination for licence seekers who are 60 years and above

Roads and Transport Authority is planning to introduce medical examination for licence seekers who are 60 years and above. This includes even those who wish to renew their expired licence. The move aims to ensure drivers are healthy and free from illnesses, reported 'Emarat Al Youm'.

Ahmed Bahrouzyan, Executive Director of the Licensing Department, RTA, said: "RTA will undertake a comprehensive study to modify and develop procedures for obtaining driving licence in coordination with the Interior Ministry and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA)."

RTA has not yet determined the age category where the new procedures will be applied, but in all probability it would cover those above 60 years, he added.

He said the body meets regularly with the Dubai Health Authority, to identify the types of medical examinations and age groups that should be subjected to tests as well as to identify chronic diseases that would aggrevate due to driving.

Bahrouzyan said the RTA seeks to implement best global practices in the service of security and safety on the roads.

He added the RTA is currently considering the application of a British study related to drivers of commercial vehicles and heavy vehicles to transport hazardous materials. It would later be submitted to the DHA to be discussed and modified to implement in the region.

The licencing department issued 33,142 licences in the first quarter of this year, he said and added that the success rate in obtaining driving licences witnessed a significant increase of 29 per cent.

RTA is seeking to develop its services to ensure the success of raising the proportion of applicants for driving licence by 35 per cent.

credit card surcharge ban from July 1-UAE gov.

Ministry of Economy has warned retailers in the UAE to stop charging fees on credit cards from July 1.

Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, headed the second meeting of the committee for 2011 which passed resolution prohibiting retailers from imposing charges on credit card usage as commission.

The committee also agreed on liberalising trade of 15 new products including detergents and washing powders, dairy products and juices, drinking water, livestock, feed, fats and oils, and the list will be sent to the cabinet for approval.

”This is strategic to reduce monopoly and exploitation, and will enhance market competitiveness,” said Al Mansoori.

The committee reviewed a report on the advertisements for fast food outlets, and recommended that awareness measures must be initiated to ensure that customers are not misled by catchy advertising and resort to unhealthy eating, especially of junk food.

The committee also reviewed a report on the status of the Call Center in the Consumer Protection Department, and another on the difference between the prices of key food items sold at cooperative societies and major retail outlets.

The committee discussed the Electronic System for Goods Monitoring which is expected to be operational during the second half of 2011. Currently, the ministry is undertaking a pilot phase with some commodities and the results will be generalised for other goods. The new system works through electronic links between the major trading centres and UAE customs ports, and can monitor the prices of 200 commodities on a daily basis.

The committee discussed a report on the increase of prices at gas stations and recommended to open channels of communication between the Ministry of Economy and all petrol stations with the participation of representatives from economic departments to identify the reasons for rise in price.

The committee was briefed on a proposal to reduce rental fees at retail outlets and cooperative societies. The committee recommended the distribution of marketing margins equally between retail outlets and consumers.

Eida to introduce online ID registration soon

Applicants seeking to register in the UAE national identity could fill the needed form at home and avoid standing in long queues at packed registration centres when authorities introduce an online service soon.

The Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA), which oversees the landmark ID project, said it was in the process of introducing such online service that will allow all applicants of filling the ID form, paying fees and getting an appointment for finger printing without having to go to registration centres.

“We are developing an electronic ID form so applicants themselves can fill it online without having to deal with registration centres…the form will be available online shortly,” EIDA director general Ali Alkhouri told Emarat Alyoum daily.

“Once this service is enforced, applicants will only have to fill the form online though EIDA’s website, upload all needed documents and pay fees online…they then can get an appointment for finger printing online.”

Khouri said existing authorized registration centres would remain in operation for those who do not wish to have their applications processed online.

He told the paper the online service would be introduced on a limited trial basis in September before it is fully enforced by the end of the year.

“This is a strategic move as the new service is expected to largely increase the rate of registration…applicants will be able to register online at their homes or offices without having to wait for long periods at registration centres.”

Khouri said the new service would cut fees paid by applicants by nearly 40 per cent as they will not be required to pay up to Dh70 in fees for registration.