How to relocate employees to the Middle East
There are many reasons why you might be considering an employee’s relocation. To relocate an employee to the Middle East, you must complete certain processes, like obtaining visas and work permits. However, when you have the right assistance, this journey becomes easier and faster.
In this article, you will find the necessary information for the relocation of employees to the Middle East. We will explain in detail all the procedures and documents you need to make relocation a simpler process. Let us explore the following points:
1. Relocate an employee to the Middle East: What is the process like?
2. Accommodate your employee in the UAE
3. What benefits does an employee get from relocating to the Middle East?
4. Documents required for relocation to the Middle East
5. Process to relocate employees with their families with relocation services in Dubai
6. Eligibility criteria to relocate an employee
7. What is the duration of the work permit?
8. How can we help you relocate an employee to the Middle East?
1. Relocate an employee to the Middle East: What is the process like?
When you intend to relocate an employee to the Middle East, it can seem like a difficult and intimidating process. In addition to the visa process, there is an important cultural change that you must take into account. When put together, these factors can appear as a big challenge for employers who want to relocate their workers.
For this reason, it is always a good decision to contact a specialized agency. With the help of a team experienced in relocation solutions, you can anticipate what you will need to make all these procedures faster. In this case, as we mentioned, the employee must obtain a work permit, as well as a visa for the same purpose.
1.1 Getting a work permit in the UAE
As the region’s labor market grows, more foreigners go to the Middle East looking for better employment opportunities. However, it is important for them to have the necessary documentation. Obtaining these documents is not as difficult as it may seem. However, many people seek to hire the best relocation services from a local agency like EOR Middle East to take care of these procedures.
The work permit will be processed and issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). The first thing you need to do is to print the work permit application. In this case, it is found on the Tas’Heel or online system of the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Labour.
Then, submit the requested documents. After completing this step, you must wait about 5 days for the issuance of the work permit. Note that in the event of any irregularity, they may require you to send the documentation again.
After obtaining your permit, the employee can legally enter the UAE. This work permit is valid for 30 days, and you can extend for up to 60 days. During this time, as an employer, you will need to process your worker’s residence visa.
1.2 Obtaining a UAE work visa
Next, once the employee enters the UAE with MoHRE approval, the employer must apply for a residence visa. You can apply through the General Directorate of Residence and Foreign Affairs of the UAE (GDRFA). Then, after completing the application, your employee will receive a residence visa for work purposes and an Emirates ID.
Additionally, they will get a work card to show to the authorities in case they need to check that said individual is legally working in the country.
2. Accommodate your employee in the UAE
Once you relocate your employee, you want to make sure that they get a good place to live. It should have all the basic comforts including telephone connection, internet, etc. It is worth pointing out that relocation services in Abu Dhabi can also cover these aspects and more.
Relocation agencies can help you find a home and school for your employee, as well as ensure that they live in a safe and convenient location.
2.1 Temporary accommodation
When you plan to relocate an employee to a new country, the first thing is to take care of finding temporary accommodation. Accommodation in Dubai can be expensive if you do not know where to find the best offers. Also, when looking for accommodation, there are factors such as commuting to and from the workplace, the nearest schools, and more.
2.2 Locate a home
Now, find a place to live for your employee and their family according to their needs. This is paramount when relocating any employee anywhere. For this, you will have to look for the best relocation services that will assist you in finding an apartment or house in residential areas.
In addition, you will get advice on housing contracts and additional facilities.
3. What benefits does an employee get from relocating to the Middle East?
Both compensation and benefits are crucial to employee satisfaction and longevity. These factors also play a critical role in complying with UAE offsetting laws. On the other hand, relocation services in Abu Dhabi give companies access to talent across organizations. Therefore, this is a good solution for the company and for the employee moving to the Emirates.
3.1 Compensation laws of the United Arab Emirates
The UAE does not have a national minimum wage for expatriates, but citizens have specific salary requirements. Also, another factor in the compensation laws of the United Arab Emirates is overtime. That is, employees who work overtime and days off designated by law are entitled to an increase in salary.
3.2 Guaranteed benefits in the United Arab Emirates
The UAE benefits management plan must include the guaranteed resources required by law. To start, you must guarantee paid time off. In other words, UAE employees are entitled to days off with full pay during official country holidays.
In addition, you should include holidays depending on how long the employee has worked for the company. Generally, the corporate market norm is 30 calendar days of paid vacation. Likewise, pregnant women working in the UAE are entitled to work benefits.
This includes 60 days of maternity leave with full pay, 45 days of pay, and 15 days of half pay. It is worth mentioning that in the UAE, 5 working days of paid paternity leave are also mandatory for businesses. They can be taken consecutively or non-consecutively within the first six months of the child’s birth.
4. Documents required for relocation to the Middle East
To carry out the employee transfer to Abu Dhabi you must have all the necessary documentation. These documents mainly include:
- Work permit.
- Employment contract.
- Permanent residence visa.
- Emirates ID card.
- Personal documents, such as titles, marriage certificates, etc.
The employer is responsible for processing these documents for each employee being relocated. For this reason, it is of great help to find top relocation services in the UAE. With a specialized agency, you can easily guarantee that you have all the documentation in order to make the process faster and simpler.
5. Process to relocate employees with their families with relocation services in Dubai
Many workers being relocated want to move to the UAE with their families, but do not know if this is even possible. As an employer, when planning to relocate an employee to Abu Dhabi, this is an aspect to consider.
5.1 What is the family relocation process?
To make it possible for your worker to live in Abu Dhabi with his family, you should consider the following recommendations.
- If the employee already has a residence permit, he or she can sponsor their family members.
- The income criteria for sponsorship are a minimum salary of AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 plus accommodation).
- The family must enter the UAE and follow the procedure to apply for a residence visa.
- Family members over the age of 18 must take and pass a medical test.
5.2 Who can an employee sponsor?
Once you relocate an employee to Abu Dhabi, he can sponsor his family members. More specifically, the worker can sponsor their spouse and children, daughter (unmarried), children (up to 18), and parents.
If the worker wants to move with their family, he or she has the right to do it by respecting the UAE regulations. Also, the company must respect the relocation rights of employees in this matter. Here are some additional aspects to consider:
- There are special cases when a mother can sponsor her children.
- A resident sponsor has 60 days to apply for the resident visa of their dependents after they enter.
- A resident can sponsor their parents and the resident visa will be granted annually regardless of the visa of the sponsor.
- The type of profession is no longer a condition for an expatriate worker to sponsor their family visas.
On the other hand, medically incapable people will be granted a residence visa. Residents found to have latent or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are also considered medically fit. Therefore, they are given a one-year Certificate of Fitness for Health for Residency.
Likewise, it is subject to treatment and follow-up by the department of preventive medicine or the equivalent government health authority. Also, most terms are subject to change from time to time. With the relocation services of our organization, you can easily carry out this process.
6. Eligibility criteria to relocate an employee
Any foreigner over the age of 18 can work in the UAE, as long as they meet the standards set by the MoHRE. Also, there is no maximum age for those who can work in the UAE. Likewise, for workers over 65 years of age, the company pays a higher rate.
On the other hand, foreign workers are divided into three categories, based on their academic qualifications or skill sets.
- The first category is if you have at least a degree of bachelor.
- If you have a post-secondary grade in some field you are part of category 2.
- In the third category, enter those who have a high school diploma.
7. What is the duration of the permit?
The work permit duration in the country is as follows:
- The first time is for 30 days.
- The extension is for another 30 days.
8. How can we help you relocate an employee to the Middle East?
All the processes mentioned above can be, to a certain extent, challenging if you do not know the country’s regulations. However, with the right partner, it can be much simpler to fully comply with each requirement. On EOR Middle East, as an agency with extensive experience in this area, we can guarantee satisfactory results and the best assistance to complete this process
With our agency‘s professional services, you can get the necessary tools to relocate your employees to the United Arab Emirates legally. In addition, we are present in a variety of locations, including;
- Egypt
- Saudi Arabia
- Jordan
- United Arab Emirates
- Israel
- Lebanon
- Oman
- Bahrain
- Libya
- Turkey
- Kuwait
- Qatar
- Sri Lanka
- Singapore
If you still have questions about the process of relocating an employee, we have all the answers you are looking for. To reach out to our team of experts, you can send us an email at [email protected]. Do not wait any longer and contact us!
On the other hand, if you are looking to work in a top company in the Middle East, you can send your CV to [email protected]. You can also register on thetalentpoint.com to explore a variety of job offers
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