KHALEEJ TIMES, Monday, Sep 6, 2021 | Muharram 29, 1443
UAE visa reforms: Residents to get up to 180-day grace period after losing job
Emirates:
Expats who have lost their job in the UAE will soon be able to stay up to
six months in the country as part of the leadership's new reforms announced on
Sunday.
The UAE law currently allows employees, who have been made redundant, to leave
the country within 30 days. But the authorities are relaxing the grace period
and would allow people to stay from three to six months after losing the job.
This announcement brings a major relief to employees as it will give them ample
time to search for another job. For the UAE, it will help retain the talent
within the country.
“We are relaxing the grace period one gets to leave the country after being made
redundant. Instead of the previous 30 days, people will have 90 to 180 days to
leave the country,” said Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for
Foreign Trade.
Projects of the 50:
Modernisation of visa, work permits
One of the key legislative changes being introduced as part of 'Projects of the
50' is a restructuring of the entry and residency system, which is being
upgraded to confirm the UAE’s position as an ideal destination for work,
investment, entrepreneurship, education and life.
This was announced as part of reforms for the Year of the 50th to retain the
talent in the country.
Other specific regulatory changes include:
- Extension of business trip permits from 3 months to 6 months
- Sponsorship of parents under the visa of direct family members
- One-year residency extension for humanitarian cases
- Extension of children’s age limit on parents’ residency from 18 to 25 years
- Extension of grace period upon job loss or retirement to 90-180 days
The measures aim to enhance the competitiveness and flexibility of the UAE
labour market, facilitate sector growth, spur knowledge transfer and skills
development, and create greater stability and security for residents.