New type of visa - work mission visa
The Ministry of Labour has already begun the process of accepting work mission visa requests. Unlike a work visa, a mission visa is a temporary visa that is valid for three months and can be renewed for another three months. A sponsor can issue a work mission visa if he wants to bring an employee for temporary work, or if he wants to validate the qualification of the worker before signing a long-term contract.
The aim of the mission visa is to curb the widespread problem of people working on visit visas, which is illegal. Therefore, creating a short-term work visa which is easy to obtain so that both the employer and the employee can work together for three months and decide if they want to enter into a long-term contract. The benefit of this visa is that it is limited to a three-month contract and no ban is issued if the worker is dissatisfied with the job and does not take it up. Similarly the employer is also not obligated to hire the employee. This service is especially useful for employers who want to hire skilled labour like engineers, doctors, lawyers and technicians.
This visa also guarantees the right of the worker. On a visit visa, the worker does not have any right because he is working illegally and therefore, he is not covered by insurance. The employer has no liabilities. However, with a work mission visa, the worker’s rights are protected.
An employer can apply for a work mission visa with the License Department. If a committee there approves the request, the rest of the procedure is online.The visa is issued for a maximum of 180 days. It is issued for three months against a fee of Dh 600 and can be renewed for another three months, again for a fee of Dh 600. As per the rules, the employer has to notify the ministry when the worker enters the country. If the employer fails to do so, he will be fined Dh 500 for every 10 days. The Ministry has the right to reject converting the work mission visa into a work visa. This service cannot be availed of until and unless an employer sponsors a worker on this visa. Heavy fines will be imposed if people misuse this service.
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