Can I get the ban lifted by paying money?

A reader from Dubai asks: I have worked in a company for more than two years for a salary of Dh6,000. The first period of my employment in the company of six months is not mentioned in the ratified employment contract between me and the Ministry of Labour. I have submitted my resignation, but there is a disagreement between me and the company on the matter of the current salary, the end-of-service gratuity and the said first period of employment. My question here is; how shall I prove before the Ministry of Labour my current salary, which is larger than the amount mentioned in the employment contract? And how shall I prove my joining date in such company? Is the employer entitled to request the ministry to impose a six-month ban on me and can I be exempted from such a ban. Can I get the ban lifted by paying money? Please advise me. Many thanks.

I would like to clarify to the questioner that he may prove his current salary through the bank receipts, which state the deposit of the questioner’s salary in the bank or any letter from the company stating that the company has increased the questioner’s salary. As for the first period of employment for the questioner in the company, the questioner may prove the same through the appointment letter as well as the date of the first salary he received from the company. In connection with the ban, a six-month ban will be imposed on the questioner by the Ministry of Labour since the questioner has not completed three consecutive years with the existing employer. Therefore, a no-objection certificate is required by the questioner to transfer the sponsorship from the existing sponsor so that he can lift the ban.

Questions answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants

Getting To Dubai- Transit / Visit Visa Procedure

The procedures / rules detailed here below are for Information Only and are subject to change without prior notice.
Regulations for visa application: ssport must have minimum 6 months validity at the

1. All photographs are to be recent color photographs. (Polaroid Photographs are not accepted) 
2. Those who are already in the U.A.E cannot get another entry permit until he/she departs from U.A.E. 
3. DNRD working hours are from 8 am to 2 pm. Saturday to Wednesday except public holidays. Thursdays and Fridays are normal weekend holidays.

The Dubai Naturalization & Residency Department (DNRD) issues different types to visas which are listed below.

1- 96 hour visa:

• Issued upon arrival at the airport
• Airline sponsored only
• Applicants should have onward booking
• Should have a minimum of 8 hour transit break

2- Visit visa:

2.1 In case of Personal sponsorship

• Fees: Dhs 100
• Entry permit application form with completed typed data
• Original Marriage certificate and copy of it, in case of wife sponsorship
• Salary Certificate; The monthly salary should not be less than Dhs. 4000 in case of wife sponsorship, and Dhs. 6000 in case of first relatives sponsorship.
• Copy of the Sponsor passport
• Copy of the Sponsored passport.

2.2 In case of Establishments sponsorship

• Fees: Dhs 100
• Entry permit application form with completed typed data
• Establishment card and copy thereof
• Copy of the Sponsored passport.

2.3 Renewal

• Fees: Dhs 100
• Original Entry Permit.

2.4 Extension

• Fees: Dhs. 500
• Original Entry permit
• Extension application form
• Original sponsored passport.

3 - Transit visa

• Fees: Dhs. 120
• Establishment card
• Entry Permit Application form
• Copy of Sponsored passport.

4 - Tourist visa

• Fees: Dhs. 100
• Establishment card
• Statement of tourists data

For further information please contact The Department of Naturalization and Residency [http://www.dnrd.gov.ae].

All visitors except AGCC nationals (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia) require a visa sponsored by a local entity such as a hotel or tour company. Where travelling, please submit a copy of your passport to the local Hotel or Travel Agent, who will apply for a visa on your behalf.

Health Requirements

No health certificates are required for entry to Dubai, but it is always wise to check before departure, as health restrictions may vary, depending upon the situation at the time.

Customs

No customs duty is levied on personal effects entering Dubai. Dubai Duty Free has a sales outlet in the Arrivals Hall (but alcohol may only be purchased on departure).

Home Living Here United Arab Emirates [UAE] Visa Requirements

The main entry requirement of obtaining a visa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah) are that your passport is valid for at least 2-6 months before your arrival. Information about the various UAE visa categories are explained in detail below.

Visit Visas

A visit visa applies to tourists who wish to spend more than 14 days in the UAE, whether it is to visit relatives or for business purposes. The categories given below identify whether an individual requires a visit visa before arrival or whether one can be issued to them at the airport or entry point.

AGCC Citizens

Citizens of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia) do not need a visa.

AGCC Residents

AGCC expatriate residents may obtain a non-renewable 30-day visit visa upon arrival.

British Citizens

Residents of the UK, with the right to abide in the United Kingdom, may obtain a free visa on arrival, which is valid for 60 days and can be renewed for an additional 30 days for Dhs. 500 (US$ 137). Holders of the British Overseas Citizens Passport, who dont have the right to abide in the UK, will also obtain the free visa.

33 Privileged Countries

There are 33 countries that are given the same on arrival free UAE visa on arrival similar to UK citizens. These countries include citizens of France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States (US), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. A new law was passed on March 31st 2003, where the citizens of these 33 countries can only obtain a one-month non-renewable visit visa on arrival, which costs Dhs. 100 (US$ 28). Though the government officially passed this law, it does not seem to be always implemented.

Other Nationalities (Tourist Visas)

Citizens of countries that are not mentioned above require the sponsorship of a UAE resident (relative or friend), hotel, travel agency, or company, in order to obtain a visit visa. This type of visit visa is also known as the tourist visa. For a relative or friend to sponsor a tourist visa, he or she must earn over Dhs. 4,000 per month and hold a valid residence visa. A hotel can sponsor a tourist visa, only if the visitor stays at the hotel, and they will hold your passport until all hotel payments are cleared. Procedures involved in issuing a tourist visa require that the visitor fill out a visa application form and submit it to the sponsor along with a first few pages of their passport. With these details, the sponsor can apply for a tourist visa, which will cost Dhs. 650 (US$ 178) and take a maximum of 7 days to issue. The sponsor must deposit the visitor's tourist visa at the airport immigration atleast one hour before the visitor's flight arrivals, which will cost Dhs. 10 (US$ 3) for processing.

Transit Visas

This type of visa is a 4-day (96 hour) visa, which is issued by sponsorship of an airline operating in the United Arab Emirates. A transit visa can only be issued if a visitor has a valid ticket for an onward flight and the issuing of transit visas are normally free of cost.

Other Visit Visas

There are two other types of visit visas issued by the UAE government. The first is a 14-day visa, also known as an Entry Service Permit. This visa must be sponsored by a United Arab Emirates company or hotel and will normally take 2-3 days to issue. The second is a Multiple Entry Visa, which is useful for individuals who are continously visiting the UAE. This visa has special privileges for visitors from Germany and the United States. More information and requirements about these two visas can be found to your right.

Residence Visa

For individuals planning to live in the United Arab Emirates, you have to obtain a residence visa, which is also reffered to as an employment visa. A residence visa will be issued by the Immigration department of the emirate you will be staying in and provided to you by your sponsor (the company or person you are working for). If you have entered the country on a visit visa, you can transfer to a residence visa by either re-enter the country or else make the transfer at the Immigration department.

If you are coming to the UAE with family members, you should obtain a family visa, which will allow you to sponsor your parents, spouse, daughters, and sons under the age of 18. Family visas are only possible if you earn more than Dhs. 4,000 (US$ 1,100) a month.

Residence visas are normally issued for 3-years and in order for it to be processed, you will need to take a medical test and obtain a health card. Individuals who test positive for AIDS will not be permitted to obtain a residence visa. A health card costs around Dhs. 300 (US$ 82) and should be renewed yearly. It can be issued at the Ministry of Health or else at a recognized private hospital.

Overstaying

A penalty charge of Dhs. 25 (US$ 7) - Dhs. 100 (US$ 28) per day is imposed on visitors who overstay. If the overstay extends to a significant amount of time, then a court hearing is issued and the judge will decide what penalties will occur.

Issuing Authority

The Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) is the sole administrative authority of the Ministry of Interior that deals with issuing visas to foreigners visiting the country. Most visit visas issued in the UAE are issued through the Dubai International Airport and are sometime mistakenly reffered to as a Dubai visa. The most Dubai visas are issued during the various events sponsored by the Dubai government, including the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises, as the visa requirements are minimized and obtaining a visa is alot easier.