Starting work in Dubai
 

Hi,

I have received an offer letter to start work in Dubai. It's a 12 month contract in the IT domain. The consulting company is recruiting me and the end client is a bank in Dubai.

Fearing Covid travel restrictions and travel bans, the company is asking me to enter the country with a Visa On Arrival stamp on my British Passport.

They have said that they will process the work visa after arriving.

I find this dodgy and don't want to break the law, I have clearly mentioned that I do not want to start work with a 30 day visa on arrival. Any suggestions? Is it common to enter Dubai and then start the work and then apply for a work visa?

Thanks.

Re: Starting work in Dubai
 

I'll give you some made up stats, what they offering is probably how;

70% of the people start work in the UAE.
5% of the people on this (very privileged and biased) forum started work in the UAE
100% of the people that get screwed by their future "employer" started work in the UAE

You choose what box you want to be in :)

Really they should be inviting you on an employment visa... if you come as a tourist you run the risk of them not paying you, and after a few months not giving you a visa and telling you to do one. At that point you'd have no recourse.

Re: Starting work in Dubai
 

what he said. I wouldn’t take that risk, this place can be a bit rogue irrespective of the size/reputation of the firm.

Re: Starting work in Dubai
 

Did they ask you to pay for the ticket and tell you they would refund you ? if so, the alarm bells should go DING-A-LING. Remember that the old name for this area was "The Trucial Coast" and before that - "The Pirate Coast"