At 62, not ready to drop out of the UAE workforce just yet

I am a French national and will soon turn 62. I have been working for the same private sector company in the UAE for more than 11 years. My visa expires in July this year and our company PRO (public relations officer) is telling us that the authorities may not renew it because of my age and the fact that my job doesn't fall into one of a number of categories. Everything I've read online seems to indicate that for all employees working in private sector entities the retirement age is 65, regardless of the type of work carried out. My company want me to continue working for them so can you clarify what exactly the rules are please? GC, Abu Dhabi

The general retirement age for expat employees was effectively raised to 65 years with effect from January 2011 as the Ministry of labour started approving applications for older employees from that date. Generally, special permission is required only for employees aged over 65. Provided your employer wishes to retain you, the PRO should not have a problem in renewing your visa. In theory, free zones can reduce the upper limit, but I have not heard of any cases of this happening.

Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com

New UK refugee system

A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds