How to avoid Labour Ban In Dubai

I am working for a private sector company in Dubai, but I wish to join another company. What do I have to do? If I leave my present company they will ban me so I cannot come back immediately. So kindly advise me on how to break the ban.

I would like to say that if the questioner resigns from their current company then he will be subject to either a six-month ban in case of an ordinary cancellation which does not include any violation of the labour law, or a one-year ban if he has breached his labour contract.

Therefore, I advise the questioner to seek an amicable agreement with his employer in order to be granted a no-objection certificate (NOC) to transfer his visa. His employer might accept this if the employee, for instance, compensates him for all expenses incurred in issuing his visa and other expenses.

Lifting Labour Ban in Dubai

I am currently working with my employer but I want to work for another company once I complete one year of service. The other company asked me if my current one could provide a No Objection Certificate. I consulted our administration personnel who told me they could provide one. Am I safe doing this? What else do I need to consider, to avoid being banned?

The Ministry of Labour has amended the labourers' Visa Transfer Law, which, I believe, are in favour of both - the labourers and the labour market.

The ministry has ceased the previous condition that obligates the labourer to complete one year continuous service for his/her employer before being permitted to transfer his/her visa to another employer. According to the new rule, the Ministry of Labour no longer requires such a condition. So, any labourer who has not completed a year's service for his/her employer may transfer to another employer after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer to transfer the visa to another employer, provided that the newly imposed fees should be settled.

Such fees are called "the one year non-completion fees" which is calculated at the rate of Dh500 per month. For instance, if the employee continues a period of two months service only then he/she would be obliged to pay a fee of Dh5,000 for 10 months.

Now any labourer, who completes a period of three years service and who could not obtain an NOC, can resign and can approach the Ministry of Labour and the ministry - as per his demand - will cancel the visa and apply a six-month ban. With the new rules and upon completion of three years' service, this ban can be lifted and the employee can transfer to another employer without the need to obtain such NOC from the previous employer, provided that the newly imposed fees should be settled in addition to the visa transfer fees. Such new fees are called 'ban lifting fees'.

Worth saying is that this new law is not applicable in Abu Dhabi but might be in the future. Therefore, the reader as per the new law will not have any problem as long as the company has promised to grant him a n NOC to transfer his visa.

Residence visa renewal linked to tenancy contract in Sharjah

Thousands of families who live in shared accommodation in Sharjah will be hard hit by the new rule of the Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency Department requiring a tenancy contract in the applicant's name or his close relative.

According to the new regulations, those applying for residency visas for their families should produce a copy of their tenancy contract.

The contract, which is considered proof of one's eligibility to afford a family, must be attested by the Sharjah Municipality.

Residents said they will have to send their families back home as it is no longer affordable to rent a one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment in Sharjah.

Many said since the rents started skyrocketing in Sharjah in the last two years by more than 30 to 50 per cent, people have opted for shared accommodation. Under the new rule they will not be able to renew their residency permits without having tenancy contracts in their names.

Lieutenant Colonel Salim Ali Mazaini, head of the visa section at the Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency Department, told Gulf News that the rule has been introduced to ensure that only those who are financially capable of providing decent accommodation can bring their families to the emirate.

"We are not insisting that the tenancy contract should be in the applicant's name. The contract can be in the name of his close relatives also, such as a brother or sister," said Mazaini.

He added that it is acceptable to share living space with one's own family members, but not with friends.

According to him, the rule is not applicable to professionals like doctors, engineers and people in managerial positions because they earn enough money to sponsor their families.

"We are being very flexible and taking each application on a case by case basis. For example, if a family does not have children, a studio flat in their name is more than enough to get a family residence permit. Or if a family with one or two children can show that they are sharing a three-bedroom apartment with a close relative, it will also get them the residency status," Mazaini said.

However, some residents said their applications have been rejected even after they produced tenancy contracts of their relatives.

Hussain, a Sharjah resident who refused to give his second name, said his application to sponsor his family was rejected because he could not produce a tenancy contract.

"Now with this new rule, I doubt whether I can bring my wife and child to the UAE," said Hussain who works as an administrative assistant.

Another resident, Riyas Mohammad from Pakistan, said he has shelved his plan to bring his family because of the new regulations.

New categories: Renewal for one year only

The Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency department has also issued a list of 60 categories of low income groups including hairdressers, butchers, shop assistants, chefs, clerks and others for whom residency permits will be renewed only for a period of one year. These categories must also get prior approval before their applications are typed.

The typing centres have been instructed that the categories listed below need prior approval before applications are typed.

Beauty therapist
Spice/pulse grinder
Watchman
Dining-room servant
Fishmonger
Fisherman
Calligrapher
Digger
Porter
Office boy
Pipe fitter
Cobbler
Sailor
Pipe filer
Grocer
Tyre repairer
Shoemaker
Manicurist
Hairdresser
Clerk
Follow-up clerk
Archive clerk
Tinker
Mechanic assistant
Ironsmith
Welder
Carpenter
Builder
Shop attendants
Light vehicle driver
Barber
Makeup artist
Janitor
Shift operator
Typist
Watchman
Chef
Turner
Plumber
Tile fitter
Meat griller
Falafel maker
Dessert maker
Pastry maker
Waiter
Machine operator
Clothes presser
Car washer
Coffee maker
Butcher
Slaughterer
Painter
Tailor
Baker
Kneader
Goldsmith
Electrician
Upholsterer
Blancher
Drawer/draftsman

Get a Dubai visit visa for a family member

Last updated: July 28, 2008

Please note the new changes to the procedures and fees effective from 29th July, 2008

Criteria:

Visit visas for immediate family members can be obtained by residents (called sponsors), whose monthly salary is not less than AED 4000 or AED 3000 + accommodation.

Validity of Visa:

Short term visa: 30 days
Long term visa: 90 days
No extensions are permitted beyond this period.

Fees
• Short term visa: AED 620 application fee + typing fees
• Long term visa: AED 1120 application fee+ typing fees

Documents Required:
• Typed Application form
• A copy of the sponsor’s passport & family member's passport
• 1 photo of the family member (may be required)
• Marriage contract attested from Ministry of Foreign Affairs or UAE Embassy (for sponsoring a wife or husband)
• Attested birth certificates (for sponsoring children)
• Relationship proof attested from the Embassy (in case relationship cannot be proved from family names in sponsor and relative's passport)
• Attested work contract if the sponsor is working in a private company or a salary certificate if working in government.

Procedure:
1. Go to any authorized typing office & get application form typed.
2. Go to DNRD & submit along with your documents to Visa Section.
3. Send either original or copy to your relative. If only copy was sent, then deposit original at the airport or the DNATA counter at DNRD.

DNRD to Implement New Visa Rules from July 29 In Accordance with Ministerial Decisions

Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) has completed all preparations for implementing the Council of Ministers’ Decision No. 16 for the Year 2008 and the Ministerial Decision No. 322 for the Year 2008 regarding amendments to certain provisions of the law of entry and residence of foreigners. Brigadier Obaid Moheir Bin Suroor, Deputy Director of DNRD, said that the new visa rules will be effective from July 29 (Tuesday) at all ports and entry points. Bin Suroor confirmed that all entry permits issued before the implementation of the new law will remain subject to the current rules and regulations, until the expiry of their dates. Brigadier Bin Suroor pointed out that the earlier procedure of issuing entry permits on arrival to citizens of 33 countries remains unchanged with no fees for these visas upon issuance. However these entry permits can only be renewed for an additional period of 30 days only, instead of the current 60 days, for a fee of AED620. Brigadier Bin Suroor revealed that the law of entry and residence of foreigners laid down that the cost of establishment card insurance is AED75,000 in addition to the AED1,000 payable for each tourist permit. Brig. Bin Suroor confirmed that the mechanism for collecting the insurance charges will be implemented at a later stage. Major Mohammed Al Hammadi, Manager, Entry Permits Department, said as per the new regulations, the cost for issuing tourist visa is AED210 if processed online and AED220 if submitted by hand at DNRD offices. The tourist visa is valid for 60 days prior to entering the country for a stay of 30 days, renewable once, for a period of 30 days at the charge of AED610 if processed online and AED620, if submitted manually at DNRD offices. Major Hammadi added that the above mentioned fees included all federal and service charges. Al Hammadi also revealed that according to the new regulation, the tourist visas that were previously issued for 79 nationalities only will now be available for all nationalities. In addition to that, the new rule allows tourism companies to apply for two kinds of permits – Tourist Visas and Mission Visas. In case the holder of either type doesn’t enter the country during the validity period, a new application should be submitted.