Thanks to the stable economy and employment opportunities that the UAE has, it is considered a good country to settle down in. Due to the prosperous living scenario, it shows many foreign nationals want to start working there.
To start work legally may require some permits; for this reason, many tourists have had the idea of working without a work permit in the UAE.
In this article, you will get all the information about
- What work permits is about
- What you need to start working in the UAE, and
- The consequences of working without a work permit in the UAE.
Work Permit in the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirate’s growing economy attracts entrepreneurs worldwide looking to invest or grow their businesses. In the process, they want to avoid paying taxes and high fees when setting up a business. In the meantime, a business cannot develop on its own; it needs a workforce to accomplish its goals.
To hire employees, companies usually bring professional employees from abroad to work in the company. To work legally in the United Arab Emirates the foreigners must first get a residence visa or work permit. If they don’t do so then they would be breaking the laws of the UAE which would result in consequences such as fines for the company and shareholders, and even deportation of the workers.
Requirements to fulfill for Work Permit in the UAE:
Below are the requirements that need to be fulfilled to get the work permit in the UAE:
Updated Visa and documentation: It is necessary to have:
- A residence visa (essential to apply for a work permit)
- The Emirates ID can be issued by the UAE Government.
Copies of Passport photos: To apply for a work permit, you must attach a valid passport photo.
Application Form: It is essential for an employee or employer to fill out a form when applying for a work permit
Current Health Certificate: Medical examination is a must, so the applicant for the work permit must undergo medical examinations when arriving in the UAE.
Proof of Payment: On making the payment, it is required to submit the proof of payment together with the other documents of the application.
Company Commercial License or Company Business Card: Additionally, the employer must submit a copy of the company’s commercial license and a valid copy of the company’s business card.
How to Obtain The Work Permit in UAE
As working without a work permit in UAE is not allowed here is the procedure to follow to obtain the work permit. Pay attention to the following steps:
Step 1: Entry Visa
Initially, it is expected that employers must apply to the Ministry of Labor for an entry visa and work permit for foreign nationals. Once the permit and visa are approved, employees must enter the UAE within the next two months. Usually, the approval process takes three working days.
Step 2: Employment Contract With Signature
It is entitled for employers to submit the contract to the Ministry of Labor a contract drafted in English, Arabic, and the foreign national’s native language. It contains the employee’s signature and the job offer. Keep in mind that the process takes up to 3 working days.
Step 3: Work Permit Application Approval
To obtain the employee’s entry visa it is first necessary to get a work permit. In this case, the Ministry of Labor studies the situation and only grants the permit if the following conditions are met:
The employer has a company legally registered in the UAE.
There are no UAE nationals available to perform the work.
Step 4: Medical Examinations, Biometric Procedure, And Work Permit
Once the work permit is obtained, the Ministry of Labor issues an employment entry visa known as a pink visa. With this visa, foreign nationals can enter the UAE and move around the territory. The visa has an extendable term of 2 months which allows the employee to complete all the work permit procedures.
Step 5: Medical Examinations, Biometric Procedure, and Work Permit
To obtain a work permit on entering a UAE territory, it is essential to check permits, including medical examinations, comply with the biometric procedure, and obtain a bank account, and residence visa.
Do I start work without a Work Permit in the UAE?
To get a job is complicated and hence every tourist dreams to work without a work permit in the UAE. To start work in the UAE it is required for a foreigner to have a work permit unless he/she is not allowed to work. Failed to obtain a work permit from the employer will get the employee and the employer both in trouble
Can I Apply for a Job in the UAE on a Tourist Visa?
The UAE offers good employment opportunities so many foreigners have the idea of migrating to the country to work on a tourist visa, but you can’t apply job for in the UAE on a tourist visa.
The idea of leaving the country becomes difficult after getting to know the place for many tourists The UAE government has implemented rules to control illegal workers and avoid illegal jobs. So, to avoid fines they must avoid working without a permit in the UAE.
With a tourist visa, expatriates can look for a job; however, they cannot start working with it. Ideally, once they get a job, their employer should start the process to change their visa status. This way they can get used to the culture and get a job without breaking the laws of the country.
How To Know When Is The Right Time To Change Visa Status?
On visiting on a tourist visa, if decide to want to live and work, there. It’s the right time to start looking for a job that fits their skills, abilities, and needs. On getting the desired job, they should start the process for the change of visa status.
Does it is allowed to work without a Work Permit in the UAE?
It is illegal to work without an employment visa in UAE. The consequences are for both employer and employee and they have to follow the same rule. A working permit is one of the main requirements to work in the country as a foreigner, result failing to comply and you will face legal consequences.
Avoid working without a work permit as you will face serious consequences. Some of them are:
- You may be imposed a work ban.
- You will receive a one-month jail punishment but this is a period that can be extended.
- The State may impose a fine of up to AED 10,000.
- The foreign national may be deported.
Consequences Of Hiring without a Work Permit in the UAE (Employer)
As an employer, it’s a need for businesses to fuel it with the right workforce. Without having a right workforce, it is almost impossible to get the desired outcomes. But it is essential. When hiring an employee or else you will face serious fines and imprisonment in the form of:
- A minimum fine of AED 10,000 per employee is imposed by the government.
- The government could deport you and ban you from entering the country if you are a foreign citizen and you could spend up to 6 months in jail.
- A fine of up to AED 50,000 per employee is imposed by the Ministry of Labor.
- The Court will double the fines if you continue despite the penalties.
- The court may initiate criminal proceedings if the employer has not reprimanded the employee after repeated warnings.
Among our group of companies are Connect Resources, Connect Zone, Connect Free Zone, Connect Technology, Connect Services Middle East, and more. All of them with the main objective of helping businessmen, entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone interested in doing business in the UAE.
Interested in business in the United Arab Emirates? We can help you! Contact us at +97143316688 or you can email us at contact@connectgroup.co. At Connect Group we are ready to help you and answer any questions you may have.
