Expats won't need police document to change jobs in the UAE

Expats already working in the UAE will not yet require a criminal background check to change jobs and secure a new employment visa, immigration officials have said.

As of February 4, the government will require those moving to the UAE to work to produce a new document: a 'good conduct and behaviour certificate' or police clearance letter.

The term varies between countries but it must be proof that you have never committed a criminal offence.

The move marks one of the most significant changes to the UAE's visa system and has resulted in a flood of queries to the authorities and expats' home embassies.

Immigration officials confirmed that the system is principally aimed at ensuring all new residents have no criminal history and that expats already on a visa will not have to seek a background check if they move on to another company.

But they could not rule expats needing the document in the near future, immigration officials and industry figures said.

VAT in the UAE: First tax returns must be submitted before February 28th

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has told businesses, whose first tax period ended on January 31, to file their VAT returns before February 28.Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director-general, FTA, reminded registered businesses to submit their tax returns on a monthly or quarterly basis, as determined by the FTA based on their annual revenue.

Earlier, the FTA had made some adjustments to the first tax periods for VAT in order to afford more flexibility to businesses following requests from a large number of businesses subject to VAT.

These exceptional adjustments included extending tax periods from one to three months for some businesses at the beginning of implementation in 2018, with tax periods returning to a monthly basis later on.

According to FTA, the first quarterly tax period - which was meant to expire by the end of January or February 2018 - was extended by merging it with the following period, making the first tax period four months for some businesses and five for others. These mainly included small and medium enterprises.

Meanwhile, businesses whose first tax period was three months ending in March 2018 were not included in these adjustments.

According to Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017 on the VAT, the standard tax period applicable to a taxable person shall be a period of three months ending on the date that the authority determines.

Al Bustani noted that taxable persons must submit tax returns, pay their due taxes within the specified timeframes, and keep records as required in tax legislation in order to avoid penalties.

Tax returns must include

> The value of standard-rated supplies made in the tax period and the output tax charged

> The value of zero-rated supplies made in the tax period

> The value of exempt supplies made in the tax period

> The value of any reverse-charged supplies received in the tax period

> The value of expenses incurred in the tax period (if the business in question is looking to recover input tax and the amount of recoverable tax)

> The total amount of tax due and recoverable input tax for the tax period

> The payable tax (or repayable) for the tax period+

New security checks for UAE expats come into effect from 4th Feb 2018

Strict new security checks that will require every working resident to produce a document proving they have not committed a criminal offence will come into force on Sunday.

All residents seeking a new work visa from Sunday will need to secure a Good Conduct and Behavior Certificate.

The move was outlined in a Cabinet resolution reported by state news agency Wam last month.

According to the committee managing the process, the checks are part of the Government’s efforts to help to safeguard the country's national security.

In most cases, the document can be obtained from a police force or government authority in the expat's home country, or from the country they have lived within the past five years.

That document would then be attested by the UAE embassy in that country or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE.

Marriage certificates and education qualifications are currently certified in the same way.

How to verify UAE Federal Tax authority’s TRN number

After implementing Vat in UAE nearly 260,000 firms registered with Federal Tax authority for VAT registration and firms started using TRN number to collect tax from the customers. Customers can verify the TRN number of the firm through Federal tax authority’s website. Validating the TRN on the Tax invoices received would simplify and ensure correct filing of VAT returns and settlement of payable tax within the time stipulated by FTA UAE.

Procedure to Verify TRN number:

• Visit Federal tax website link www.tax.gov.ae
• Look for tab Getting Help.
• While you hold pointer/mouse cursor on Getting Help Tab you would see TRN Verification link https://eservices.tax.gov.ae/en-us/trn-verify-verify and click
• Enter TRN number of you supplier/service provider as provided on tax invoice.
• Enter security code
• Click validate
• If TRN number provided by supplier/ service provider is correct it would provide the corresponding name in English and Arabic with the respective tax registration number in issued in UAE by the FTA (Federal Tax Authority).

 The Federal Tax Authority, FTA, has confirmed that businesses are not required to present a tax certificate in order to conduct their commercial activities and can simply use their Tax Registration Number, TRN. You can verify the TRN number issued by Federal Tax authority belongs to the concerned firm or not follow the steps

   

Oman's Ministry bans visa for expats in ten sectors

The Minister of Manpower Oman, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri, issued a ministerial decision banning temporarily the licences for recruitment of expatriate manpower in ten professions.

The decision has temporarily banned the recruitment of expatriate manpower by the private sector in ten sectors for six months. However, the licences issued prior to the date the decision takes effect shall remain valid until the expiry of their respective terms.

The decision does not apply to establishments owned by employers wholly devoted to the management of their establishments which are registered with the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development and insured with the Public Authority for Social Insurance (PASI).

The decision shall take effect on the day of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Below are the roles of the job affected by the suspension.

Information and Technology

1.Information Security Specialist

2.Geographic Information System Specialist

3.Electronic Computer Networks

4.Programmed Machines Maintenance - Electronic

5.Electronic Calculator Maintenance

6.Graphic Designer

7.Electronic Surveillance - Equipment Assembly

8.Electronics Technician - Telecom

9.Electronics Technician - Control Instrument

10.Electronic Technician - Medical Equipment

11.Electronics Technician Broadcast

12.Electronic Technician - Programmed Machines

13.Electronic Technician - Computer Networks

14.Computer Programmer

15.Computer Engineer

16.Computer operator

Accounting and Finance

1.Bank Notes and Moneychanger

2.Bank notes technician

3.Account Auditing technician

4.General accounting technician

5.Cost account technician

6.Costs accountant

7.Insurance collector

Marketing and Sales

1.Sales specialist

2.Storekeeper

3.Commercial agent

4.Commercial manager

5.Procurement logistics specialist

Administration and Human Resources

1.Business Administration Specialist

2.Public Relation Specialist

3.Human Resources Specialist

4.Administrative Director

Insurance

1.Insurance Agent General

2.Real Estate Insurance Agent

3.Cargo Insurance Agent

4.Life Insurance Agent

5.Vehicle Insurance Agent

6.Factory Insurance Agent

Information/Media Professions

1. Media Specialist

2. Page Maker

3. Paper Pulp Machine Operator

4. Bookbinding Machine Operator

5. Decorative Books Operator of

6. Calendar Operator

7. Paper Dyeing Machine Operators

8. Bill Printing Machine Operator

9. Cylinder Press Operator

10. Rotating Press Operator

11. Offset Printing Machine Operator

12. Color Press Operator

13. Planographic Press Operator

14. Paper Folder Machine Operator

15. Paper Coating Machine Operator

16. Advertising Agent

Medical Professions

1. Male Nurse

2.Pharmacist Assistant

3. Medical Coordinator

Airport Professions

1. Aviation Guiding Officer

2. Ground Steward

3. Ticket controller

4. Airplane takeoff Supervisor

5. Air traffic controller

6. Aircraft Landing supervisor

7. Passenger Transport supervisor

8. Land Guide

Engineering Professions

1. Architect

2. General Survey Engineer

3. Civil Engineer

4. Electronic Engineer

5. Electronics Engineer

6. Mechanical Engineer

7. Projects Engineers

Technical Professions

1. Building Technician/Building Controller

2. Electronic Technician

3. Road Technician/Road Controller

4. Mechanical Technician

5. Soil Mechanics Laboratory Technician

6. Steam Turbine Technician

7. Construction materials lab technician

8. Gas Network Extension Technician

9. Construction Technician

10. Transformer Technician

11. Station Technician

12. Electrical Technician

13. Heat Operations Technician

14. Maintenance Technician

15. Chemical Technician