UAEssentials | Ask The Law
Opting for business over job
Opting for business over job
- Compiled by Dina Aboul Hosn
- Published: 00:13 October 3, 2008
Question: I am a British expatriate who got a transfer with my company, a large multinational. I have worked for the company for six years and for the past six months have been working in Dubai under a local contract. I have a three-year visa with the company, but the role is very different to what I was promised. Can I change jobs? I have not completed one year with the company in Dubai yet but want to change jobs or start a business in Dubai. I would appreciate if you could advise me on my options.
Answer: You have not completed three years with the employer in Dubai. If you were to submit your resignation and cancel the residence visa, it would attract a ban and the period of the ban shall be calculated depending on the type of labour contract. You may, however, get an investor visa, in which case the ban would not affect you since it is applicable only to cases relating to the Ministry of Labour. As for starting a business via the Department of Naturalisation and Residence and obtaining an investor visa, the above-mentioned ban would not hold.
- Questions answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants.
