Six-month temporary visa is not work permit
they will have to leave before the expiry of their visas as it cannot be renewed
abu dhabi — The six-month temporary residence visa granted to illegal residents is not a work permit and is non-renewable, a top official at the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) said on Thursday.
“The job-seeker visa doesn’t permit people to do any kind of work. The government had offered the six-month temporary visa under the amnesty scheme for people living illegally in the country to get jobs after they modify their status,” said Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashid, FAIC Director of Residency Affairs.
“This visa only grants amnestyseekers time to stay in the UAE to find jobs. If they get a new job during this period, they can move to the new residency visa and start work. But if they don’t find a job within that period, they should leave the country and can return on a visit visa,” he added.
Ahmed Khalid, a businessman, said granting illegal residents six months to look for jobs is a good gesture from the government.
“But people obtaining this visa should ensure that employers don’t exploit them. Some companies might sponsor them for six months to work without getting them a residency visa,” Khalid said.
The official said those who have modified their status can also avail of job opportunities by registering on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The six-month temporary residence visa granted to illegal residents wanting to find jobs under the amnesty scheme doesn’t permit them to work, according to authorities. An official at the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) said the jobseeker visa cannot be renewed after expiry.
Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashid, director of Residency Affairs at the FAIC, explained that people seeking employment can avail of the privilege to obtain the temporary visa through the amnesty initiative, if they have a sponsor. But if they don’t find a job within that period, they will have to leave the country and can return on visit visa because the temporary visa cannot be renewed on expiration.
“The jobseeker visa doesn’t permit anyone to do any kind of work until when the person finds a job and then transfers the visa status to employment, which should be sponsored by the employing company.
“The government had offered the six-month temporary visa under the amnesty scheme for people living illegally in the country to get jobs after they modify their status,” said Brig Al Rashid.
“This is a great opportunity for all those who want to rectify their status and continue to stay in the country without problems. People should use the six months period to find jobs because this visa won’t be renewed.”
He added: “This visa only grants the amnesty-seekers time to stay in the UAE and find jobs. If they get a new job during this period, they can move to the new residency visa and start work.” The visa holder is eligible to find a job in the government or private sector during these six months.
According to authorities, people who have modified their status can also avail of the job opportunities by registering at the virtual labour market available on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Ahmed Khalid, an Egyptian businessman, said offering illegal residents six months to look for job is a very big opportunity.
“But people obtaining the sixmonth visa should be careful so that employers don’t take advantage of them. Some companies might sponsor these people for six months and make them work for them during that period without getting them residency visa.”
Jovelin Masaba, an Ugandan national, who had overstayed her residence visa for three months because she had problems with her employer, said she’s looking forward to utilising the amnesty so that she can modify her status.
“I want to find a new job. I am looking for a sponsor, which will enable me to apply for the six-month visa,” she said.
“This is the only chance for me to stay in the country legally.”
Authorities had said earlier that the six-month jobseeker visa is applicable only to those who entered the country legally.