The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government is likely to increase the validity of work permits to three years in tune with the suggestions made by a Federal National Council (FNC) committee.
Work permits in the UAE were previously issued for a duration of two years. However, the FNC committee recognised the associated costs involved in the application and issuance of work permits, prompting their decision to extend the duration.
The proposal to extend the duration of work permits from two to three years originated from the FNC Committee on Financial, Economic, and Industrial Affairs.
Alongside the extension, the committee also recommended the waiving of work permit fees for employees transitioning between jobs.
Additionally, the FNC has approved a proposal stating that employees must spend a minimum of 12 months with an employer following the successful completion of a probationary period. However, it is worth noting that this stipulation can be waived if both the employee and employer mutually agree, as reported by the media.
As per the lawyers, the UAE’s new labour policies and changes in work-permit can be seen as an attempt to balance between safeguarding workers’ rights and helping businesses achieve their Emiratisation objectives.