When you're setting up a business in Dubai, there are certain restrictions to consider when hiring foreign employees. Companies must obtain two documents: a work card from the establishment and an immigration card from the Ministry of Labor. Additionally, employers must provide an employment contract and offer benefits, such as a government medical card for each employee. Labor law also sets the maximum number of working hours per week, vacation time, and any special benefits, such as maternity leave or sick leave. In order to hire non-nationals, companies must get prior consent from the Department of Labor and a work permit.
Customers should also be aware of the end-of-service tip, which is required and earned as a benefit paid by the employer in the United Arab Emirates. The process for obtaining these documents takes 7 to 10 business days. Employees currently working in Dubai must give their current employer at least 30 days' notice before moving to a new position. As long as they have the correct visa, American expatriates can work in Dubai and must continue working to keep their visa, unless they are in the country on a spouse's visa. According to United Arab Emirates immigration regulations, foreign employees must obtain the appropriate visas and work permits to work in the country. In cross-border work situations, some employers prefer to keep wage payment agreements unchanged so that the foreign entity continues to make monthly wage payments to the employee's bank account in the foreign country or by international bank transfer to the employee's bank account in the United Arab Emirates. We provide Registered Employer services to companies that want to expand their workforce in a foreign country without first establishing a branch or subsidiary in that country.
We make sure that all employees are hired in strict accordance with local labor regulations and that best practices are followed when hiring and onboarding new employees. The initiative has been expanded to include all companies in the United Arab Emirates, so companies will need to adjust their employment processes accordingly.
