Dubai Forums Dubai Expat Forums Dubai Expat Help Forum

Is it now the case that a new start cannot commence employment until in receipt of their employment visa.............I have many friends who have arrived in the UAE and started work straight away without their visa's in place, however since I arrived approx 4 weeks ago my new employer ( or to be concise the 'HR Dept' ) has told me this is no longer the case!!!!

Is this indeed a legal requirement or am I being given the run around, as although a fantasic place, to be hanging around indefinitly until my visa is in place is neither financialy feasible nor practical!?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Yes thats correct. Working on a visit visa is illegal. It is my understanding that it has always been illegal but just recently authorities started to clamp down.

Plus work permit should not take more than 3-5 days especially when your already here. Residence visa will follow.

Cheers K-dog for the response that would be my luck right enough.......one more question if you dont mind.........my company applied for this visa 3 weeks ago, have you any idea how long this process roughly takes........how long is piece of string i suppose?

It really shouldn't take that long, but with the new regulations they might be in a bit of chaos at the moment. Keep checking up on it.

Thanks for the replies folks, much appreciated.