I am fairly new in the UAE and am not happy with the job I took as the income is below average and I would like to make a change. However, people have warned me that I cannot leave the job to move to another one before one year of service is completed. Can you tell me if this is valid for everyone, regardless of being new or a current resident here as I have only been in this job a few months and just received my residency visa? SC, Dubai
If anyone leaves a job of their own volition during the first two years they will automatically receive an employment ban of six months. This is generally fixed, but does not apply if the change is to a new role within the same free zone, as the free zone is the sponsor, not the actual employer. There are also provisions in place for a ban to be lifted if someone moves to a job after having worked for an employer for a full calendar year. The standard six-month ban can be lifted if the employee moves a job with a minimum salary of Dh5,000 for high school diploma holders, Dh7,000 for postsecondary school diploma holders, or Dh12,000 if they hold a bachelor’s degree.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with over 20 year’s experience. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com. Follow her on Twitter at @FinancialUAE.
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