zak87

Hi

Im employed as an electrical site engineer here in the UAE but I don't have a degree I only have NVQ Level 3 education, will I still be able to get engineer on my visa?

My employer is putting through on clerical visa at the moment as my original certificates are in the UK.

Is it worth the hassle of getting them sent here and attested? or a waste of time as I don't have a degree?

thanks

busybee2

you want to be a manager or engineer on your visa not anything admin. a few people work here without degrees, not many! yes it would be worth it.

zak87

Okay thanks so they will definitely give me engineer status on my visa even without degree?

I read on here having a clerical visa has no disadvantage or restrictions over a professional title?? unless sponsoring family or travelling to other GCC countries.. I am single with a British passport so shouldn't be an issue.

can't see how this is going to benefit me.

thanks

Dubaiexile

It makes no difference whatsoever to your status here......also no difference when travelling. Sponsoring other people depends on the salary you earn, not what is on your visa. A lot of Companies will put you down as an Archives Clerk to just get you a residence visa quickly. I have had both here and an Investor Visa and never had any problems at all.

busybee2

i disagree ..... having down as engineer or manager definately does mean difference in auh at least maybe not sure in dxb. yes its down to salary as well but visa status does mean a lot too

Dubaiexile

Nope it is what your salary is that matters as they need to know that you can afford to support whoever you are sponsoring.

busybee2

yes there is that but its also important to have the right job title, as if its certain categories then they will pay less salary etc.

co durham boy

There's loads of people who have not got degrees who work all over the Gulf especially in construction.

Governmental clients in the UAE like to see degrees on projects at certain levels but there's ways around it for other guys . I have not got a degree and have worked on some of the biggest projects in The Gulf over the last 15 years.

Ive had manager /advisor / specialist / Ops co-ordinator and many more on numerous visas over the years . Of course engineers and project managers and so on need the relevant degree but theres a nation of guys out here that don't have them .

archie159

It definitely does not matter what words they use in your visa - as already said, its the salary which matters. I've employed people in Abu Dhabi on 6-figure (monthly, AED) packages who ended up with the visa title "filing clerk", simply because they couldn't find, or be bothered to find, their original degree certificate. It made no difference to their job, visa duration, future employment chances etc. It used to matter slightly if you thought you might be listed in a job category where if you left early you might incur an employment ban - but nowadays employment bans are based on salary, not some words on your visa. The only other reason it might matter is if the company you are working for will only pay a certain salary for a certain grade, and if that grade requires a degree - but what is written on the visa will be the result of that discussion, not the cause of it. If the salary/package is correct, then don't worry about the visa wording.

Specific to your question: a NVQ level 3 equates below a degree, so even if you got it attested it would not get you a degree-requiring job title on your visa.

co durham boy

It only matters what you get paid mate , we all leave eventually . Leave all that other bullshite to the empire builders who have the buzzer for the tea boy below their desk. Ive seen people here more concerned about having a designated car parking space than an annual bonus.The same fellas that after 3 months forget where their work boots are !!!

busybee2

look i disagree it can matter what words are on your visa.... its my opinion and its what i have come to see in the time i have lived here.... what you have seen and know is what you have seen.... it can be different or the same... it doesnt matter i am allowed to speak up with what i know and you can speak with what you know!

busybee2

yep agree there.... nvq is not the same level as a degree

busybee2

yep thats right lots of people in construction dont necessarily have degrees... but thats not the original question now is it.

co durham boy

Correct mate but it's still a relative point .

cdn3

Could you please elaborate on this. Under what circumstances will it matter? Other than set pay grades based on visa status which would not matter if there has been an already agreed on compensation package?

I ask because I constantly hear the same thing you are saying and I've gotten a Manager title on my visa. I didn't think I would get it because I don't have a degree and I asked a lot of people I know if it mattered and I even said that if it was a hassle than I wouldn't mind it having anything on there.

Everyone was up in arms saying I had to get a managerial title. Other than being able to get my medical tests without an appointment, what other perks does it come with?