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Utter confusion over 12 week temporary assignment in Dubai ref work permits

Utter confusion over 12 week temporary assignment in Dubai ref work permits

Old Mar 8th 2017, 4:20 pm
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Question Utter confusion over 12 week temporary assignment in Dubai ref work permits

Hi

I've been asked to fly over to Dubai ASAP for a 12 week project for DP World (which I gather is viewed as a UAE government entity). I'll then return back here to London.

I'm confused over the work permit requirements to do so.

The UAE embassy in London and the UAE Immigration Ministry both say that I need to get a work permit from my employer first before I fly in even though it's a temporary assignment for 12 weeks after which I'll return back to London, permanently.

The UAE Ministry of Labour website chat says I should fly in as a tourist, then apply to them after arrival.

The UK FCO says to get a probationary work permit from the ministry of labour after arrival.

My project manager (a UAE citizen) says I should fly in as a tourist and do a monthly visa run (he's happy to pay to fly me back and forth 3 weeks in UAE, 1 week in London, repeat).

My company's travel specialists are really unhelpfully saying nothing at all and ignoring emails (I work for one of the big 4 consultancies). They don't have a phone number (probably deliberately).

Do any of you guys happen to know what the actual rule is on this please? I could really do without a) falling foul of UAE immigration b) getting a month in jail and 1,000 Dirham fine) c) being banned given I want to use Dubai as a hub airport d) bringing my company into disrepute.

Thanks in advance
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Old Mar 9th 2017, 4:31 am
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Default Re: Utter confusion over 12 week temporary assignment in Dubai ref work permits

Originally Posted by Fwoggie
Hi

I've been asked to fly over to Dubai ASAP for a 12 week project for DP World (which I gather is viewed as a UAE government entity). I'll then return back here to London.

I'm confused over the work permit requirements to do so.

The UAE embassy in London and the UAE Immigration Ministry both say that I need to get a work permit from my employer first before I fly in even though it's a temporary assignment for 12 weeks after which I'll return back to London, permanently.

The UAE Ministry of Labour website chat says I should fly in as a tourist, then apply to them after arrival.

The UK FCO says to get a probationary work permit from the ministry of labour after arrival.

My project manager (a UAE citizen) says I should fly in as a tourist and do a monthly visa run (he's happy to pay to fly me back and forth 3 weeks in UAE, 1 week in London, repeat).

My company's travel specialists are really unhelpfully saying nothing at all and ignoring emails (I work for one of the big 4 consultancies). They don't have a phone number (probably deliberately).

Do any of you guys happen to know what the actual rule is on this please? I could really do without a) falling foul of UAE immigration b) getting a month in jail and 1,000 Dirham fine) c) being banned given I want to use Dubai as a hub airport d) bringing my company into disrepute.

Thanks in advance
Its a 50K fine for both the employee and the company if caught working on a visit visa.

You can fly in and then apply or you can send your paperwork off to the company who can apply for you. Don't know how much a temporary work permit is but an annual residency is only about 7K so it can't be too much.

Push it onto DP World. If they want you out here, they need to ensure you're legal.
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Old Mar 9th 2017, 5:00 am
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Default Re: Utter confusion over 12 week temporary assignment in Dubai ref work permits

this is surprising...DPW are a government organisation and so surely they would arrange your work visit?
It is definitely illegal to work on a visit visa
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Old Mar 9th 2017, 11:03 am
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Default Re: Utter confusion over 12 week temporary assignment in Dubai ref work permits

You're a consultant so presumably you will still be getting paid by the company in the UK?

I spent many years as a consultant working overseas. The work permit was never an issue because it was short term work and was always for the UK company. It just happened to be a Spanish client.

I’ve no idea of the legalities in the UAE but I’m surprised a 12 week work stint would require a permit – especially as you’ll be going home every 3 weeks.
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Old Mar 9th 2017, 11:31 am
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Default Re: Utter confusion over 12 week temporary assignment in Dubai ref work permits

You do need a visa to work here and your employer in the UAE needs to sort this out. A Mission visa will do the trick.
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Old Mar 9th 2017, 2:17 pm
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Default Re: Utter confusion over 12 week temporary assignment in Dubai ref work permits

Originally Posted by Meow
You do need a visa to work here and your employer in the UAE needs to sort this out. A Mission visa will do the trick.
What's mission got to do with this? And i thought she was a woman wot lunches anyway? i'm confused. Again.
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Old Mar 9th 2017, 5:33 pm
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Default Re: Utter confusion over 12 week temporary assignment in Dubai ref work permits

You do realise that 12 week assignment is an ubiquitious company ruse for a permanent posting to the UAE?
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Old Mar 11th 2017, 10:35 am
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Default Re: Utter confusion over 12 week temporary assignment in Dubai ref work permits

Hi,
I have some experience with this and you can PM if you like.

There is no easy answer.

A mission visa is difficult to get and is applied for via the labour department (not Immigration like normal visas). Also a) you can't obtain it if the company is in a free zone and b) you can't travel when you get it. The mission visa will become invalid as soon as you leave the UAE so if your job requires any sort of travel in/out of the UAE while here, you will not be able to use this visa.

The actual only proper legal way to do this would be a UAE residence visa but this is a big process for both the company and yourself for a short space of time, however if you want to do things properly you will have to take this route.

The best people to speak to are the company's HR Department, as a semi government company they will provide the best advice. Bear in mind that if you do the full employment/residence visa the first thing you will be asked for is attested education certificates so you may wish to start organising that now. Happy to help further if you need any advice.
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Old Mar 11th 2017, 4:25 pm
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Default Re: Utter confusion over 12 week temporary assignment in Dubai ref work permits

Fly to Dubai. Enter on a tourist visa. Do your consulting gig with DPW. Fly to the UK every three weeks. Leave at the end of the 12th week.

No issues.

Don't worry. If anyone gets into trouble it won't be you but DPW. And DPW won't get into trouble because it's a very prominent semi-government company owned directly by the Maktoum family. In case you didn't know, the Maktoums are the rulers of Dubai

And no, the airport won't be querying your status at immigration.

Dubai is a place where thousands of Brits do monthly visa runs at the Omani border for years and nothing ever happens.

I would not worry about this. Thousands of consultants are brought in on short term assignments this way. Which is why the manager at DPW isn't fussed either.
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