UAE: Curiosity – No Work Ban Imposed on Accompanying Spouse
Expatriates under family sponsorship may change employers
Foreigners working in the United Arab Emirates may only change jobs if certain conditions, set forth by the national labor law, are met. If a foreigner, for example, has not completed a minimum of two years employment with sponsoring company, a 6 months work ban is imposed and can only be removed if employee’s new employer hires a foreigner on a higher designation.
The ministry of labor confirmed that the above does not affect those foreigners whose residency visa in the UAE is under family sponsorship. Wives, who accompany their husbands on a foreign assignment, often arrive to the country on dependent status. In case a wife later finds a job for herself in the UAE, she has the option to cancel her husband’s sponsorship and obtain employment permits with her employer as a new sponsor.
However, a spouse may also remain under her husband’s sponsorship during her employment. In such case, her hiring company will have to apply for a work permit/labor card for a non-sponsored employee. The employee’s sponsor will remain her husband, who must provide a ‘no objection certificate’ to her hiring company.
A dependent who is sponsored by wife/husband/father/family member, is free to change jobs without the threat of a work ban, as the sponsoring family member reserves the right to grant and deny the permission to work to the dependent.
Our articles are for informational purposes only. Should you have any further questions regarding matters related to UAE immigration procedures, please feel free to contact your global Move One immigration specialist, or send an e-mail to immigration@moveoneinc.com.
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