Question: I have been employed by a company in Dubai for seven years now. Last year, I invested in property in the emirate, which allowed me to secure a Golden Visa. I have recently received a job offer from another company in Dubai. What are the visa and documentation procedures if I decide to accept this new position?
Answer: As a Golden Visa holder, you are permitted to work in the UAE. This aligns with Article 7 of the Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 and Article 6(1)(j) of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022. It specifies that a “Golden Visa holder’s permit is issued upon request from a registered establishment wishing to employ such an individual.”
Golden Visa holders permit: This permit is issued when a registered establishment with the Ministry requests to hire an employee holding a Golden Visa in the State.
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In essence, even though you are self-sponsored under the Golden Visa, your new employer still needs to apply for a work permit for you to officially join them.
Additionally, an advantage for Golden Visa holders in the UAE is the exemption from the common restriction preventing employees from obtaining a new work permit if their employment contract is terminated during the probationary period. This is confirmed in Article 11(3) of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022:
“Subject to Clauses (4) and (6) of Article (9) of the Employment Law, the Ministry may exempt some employees from not granting a work permit according to the following rules:
The employee is a Golden Visa holder.”
To obtain a work permit through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) for a UAE Golden Visa holder, as per Administrative Resolution No. 38 of 2022 regarding the Guidelines for Implementing Ministerial Resolution No. 46 of 2022 on Work Permits, Offer Letters, and Employment Contract Forms, you need:
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A clear colored photo with a white background
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A valid passport copy with at least six months validity, along with a copy of the valid residency (Golden) visa
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An approved employment contract issued by the Ministry, signed by both the employer and employee
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Academic Certificates: A clear certificate with the employee’s name, attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, for these skill levels:
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Skill levels (1 & 2): Bachelor’s Degree or higher attested by the competent authorities;
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Skill level (3 & 4): Diploma graduate or higher – attested by the competent authorities
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Skill level (5): High school certificate – attested by the competent authorities
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State-issued certificates are excluded
5. Professional license issued by the competent authority, such as doctor, nurse, etc. (professional license issued by the Ministry of Health – Department of Health), teacher, teacher assistant (Ministry of Education – Knowledge Authority (Dubai) – Abu Dhabi Education Council – Sharjah Education Council), Fitness Trainer (Youth and Sports Authority), Advocate (Ministry of Justice).
Since you already possess a Golden Visa, you don’t need to change your residency visa when switching jobs, as you are self-sponsored. After your current employer cancels your existing work permit, your new employer can apply for a new one once you sign the employment contract.
Ashish Mehta is the founder and Managing Partner of Ashish Mehta & Associates. He is qualified to practice law in Dubai, the United Kingdom, and India. Full details of his firm are available at: www.amalawyers.com. Readers may email their questions to: news@khaleejtimes.com or send them to Legal View, Khaleej Times, PO Box 11243, Dubai.
