Expats given more flexibility to start own business

BUSINESS BOOST: Expats can now start their own businesses without having to change their visas. (Getty Images)

Workers and professionals can now start their own businesses without losing their jobs or changing their visas, according to a top official at the Ministry of Labour.

Humaid bin Deemas, acting general manager of the ministry, told Khaleej Times on Thursday that the decision will allow expatriates who work in the private sector to set up their own business or become partners in a new company.

This decision replaces the old rule obligating any expatriate worker who wanted to start his business to cancel his visa and labour card at the ministry and get an investor visa.

Bin Deemas said that the new decision would open more opportunities for workers in the country.

Another ministerial decision obligates all firms in the country, recruiting more than 100 employees, to hire their public relations officers from among UAE or GCC nationals.

Bin Deemas said the ministry will not accept any application from these firms if the PROs do not meet these new terms and conditions.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Expat Workers can Start Own Business
Posted by sagar, Dubai on Saturday 20 September 2008 at 22:17 UAE time


Even I would like to know if it is still necessary to take current sponsor's permission/NOC to start a business. Also, I would like to know if its possible to switch to investor visa [later on] without facing any ban/restrictions.

Editors? Andy Sambidge? Someone please clarify.

Expat Workers can Start Own Business
Posted by sagar, Dubai on Saturday 20 September 2008 at 15:56 UAE time

I would also like to know if it is required to get any NOC from existing sponsor or not? Also, will it be possible to cancel old visa and get an investor visa at a later date?

Can someone please clarify ?

MINISTRY OF LABOURS
Posted by JOHN on Saturday 20 September 2008 at 15:01 UAE time

Well, here is a case for the Ministry to solve: A guy moved to a company as sales and then bought the same company (his visa is still valid for NEXT 32 months!!!), now Ministry of Labour & Immigration dept. is blocking all visas for this company until the Partner changes his visa to "Partner" instead of sales. This is fine, fair, understandable, etc... BUT, why does he have to: 1) Cancel his current visa, 2) Keep his family's passports with Immigration & pay 5,000dhs as guarantee(Re-emboursable)!!!, 3) Go for medical (even if he did it 3 months ago!!! or even 3 weeks ago, or even 3 days ago...), 4) Get the Medical results, 5) Go to Immigration to get the new visa, 6) Release family passports, 7) Go to bank to get the 5,000AED (and pay the bank some fee for this)... Wouldn't it have been better if: IN LABOUR THEY CANCEL THE VISA AND IMMEDIATELY (THANKS TO I.T.) UPDATE THE IMMIGRATION FILE AND SIMPLY MOVING HIS NAME AND VISA TYPE FROM EMPLOYEE TO PARTNER?

Answer to your question
Posted by PK, Dubai, UAE on Saturday 20 September 2008 at 14:36 UAE time

I think one still needs to inform the current employer before starting a business as it would considered "conflict of interest". Best thing is to check with your HR dept.

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