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Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.
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New Emiratization Requirements
New Order or Decree
Author: Dr. Luisa Rödemer, Senior Associate – vangard | Littler
Emiratization is generally to be understood as the boost of Emirati citizens to participate in the private economy sector. In the past, Emiratization was pushed especially within the banking and insurance sector as well as in private sector companies with a workforce exceeding 50 employees. A new Ministerial Decision announced in September 2022 requires private sector companies in the mainland to increase their headcount of Emirati employees by 2% per year, until a final headcount of 10% Emirati employees is met in 2026. Starting point of calculation will be the overall number of skilled workers within a company, which will define the actual number of Emirati employees required, starting with a requirement of one Emirati employee for companies with a headcount of up to 50 skilled workers.
New Visa Rules in Force Since October 3, 2022
New Order or Decree
Author: Dr. Luisa Rödemer, Senior Associate – vangard | Littler
Following ongoing developments in strengthening the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as an international investment and economy hub, the UAE cabinet has approved the so-called Advanced visa system and with this extended existing visa types and introduced new possibilities to enter and stay in the country. Until now, foreigners generally required a host or sponsor, when staying in the country for other purposes than tourism. Since October 3, 2022, also eligible job seekers will be able to enter the UAE in order to search for jobs or attend job interviews. Further, the existing and so-called Golden visa, a residence permit, which allows foreigners to stay in the UAE for up to 10 years, sponsor family and domestic workers, was expanded in a way that the eligibility criteria was extended and comprehensively simplified.