My visa will expire in December 2021 but there is no sign of my sponsor, who owns the business and is responsible for cancelling it.
How can I legally cancel my residence visa if the sponsor goes missing or is there a way of renewing it?
Alternatively, is there a provision to change status at the time of expiry to a new sponsor’s visa? RN, Dubai
This is an irregular situation as it is the employer’s responsibility to both obtain and cancel employment visas and an employee can't just cancel their own work-related visa.
I sought advice from Sarah Brooks, managing director of Dubai-based Fikrah HR, who has experience in dealing with such problems. She said: “My advice would be to register a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in regards to the situation and the absenteeism of the sponsor, presuming you have already approached the company's HR department with your issue, but to no avail.
“The ministry will contact the sponsor and try to facilitate the cancellation or renewal. In the event that the sponsor has absconded, they will enable the cancellation and ultimate transfer of residency to a new employer or sponsor as needed.”
This is the situation for a mainland employer. If someone is employed in a free zone, their sponsor will be the free zone itself. So, if the owner of a company is not around, the person needs to contact the main office of the free zone to organise the cancellation of their visa.
My visa was cancelled two weeks ago. I have heard that the 30-day grace period has been increased to either 90 or 180 days. Is this right? Can I stay in the UAE for longer? RD, Sharjah
UAE residents still have a grace period of 30 days after visa expiry to either amend their status by obtaining a new residence visa, applying for a visa or leaving the country
Keren Bobker,
Holborn Assets
A few weeks ago, there was an announcement about coming changes as part of “Projects of 50” that include several reforms to the entry and residency system.
One of the many proposals is an extension of the grace period upon job loss to either 90 or 180 days, but this has not come into effect yet.
At the time of writing, UAE residents still have a grace period of 30 days after visa expiry to either amend their status by obtaining a new residence visa, applying for a visit visa or leaving the country.
I was hired from abroad on an unlimited contract for a company in Abu Dhabi.
My employment start date was July 4, 2021, but I did not sign an employment contract until July 25. The company then abruptly decided to move me from one place to another. I would like to resign now.
Can I resign after serving the one-month notice and not pay any fines if I quit during the six-month probation? Is it OK to resign because I was moved from the original place of employment to another? BT, Abu Dhabi
There are a number of issues to be addressed here.
Employees should be provided with a contract of employment before they start working for a company so that they are fully aware of the terms of employment and company procedures and guidelines.
An employer should apply for a residence visa and work permit by the time a person starts working, not several weeks later. Both parties need to sign a labour contract to make an application.
As BT is on an unlimited contract, he is able to resign at any time but, in accordance with the law, he must give the employer a written notice.
This is generally covered by Article 117 of the UAE Labour Law, which states: “The employer and the worker may terminate the employment contract with undetermined term for valid grounds at any time subsequent to the conclusion of the contract, and such after notifying the other party thereof in writing at least 30 days prior to the termination thereof.”
If an employment contract refers to a longer notice period and both parties agree to this, it can be longer but this is often not the case.
Provided proper notice is given, BT is not liable to pay any fines or compensation to the employer. No employer is permitted to pass on any visa or employment costs and there is no financial penalty for resigning with proper notice if on an unlimited contract.
An employee can resign without having to provide a reason for the resignation. But, in a situation like this, they should not have any penalty, even on a limited term contract. If the employer makes a significant change to the terms of employment, such as relocating the place of work to somewhere that is far away, as this would be a change of contract terms.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser and senior partner with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with more than 25 years’ experience. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com. Follow her on Twitter at @FinancialUAE
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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%3Cp%3EEncourage%20innovation%20in%20the%20metaverse%20field%20and%20boost%20economic%20contribution%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20outstanding%20talents%20through%20education%20and%20training%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20applications%20and%20the%20way%20they%20are%20used%20in%20Dubai's%20government%20institutions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAdopt%2C%20expand%20and%20promote%20secure%20platforms%20globally%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20the%20infrastructure%20and%20regulations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
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How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV
Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh282,870
On sale: now
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
