Currently in the United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) issues work permits. The employer needs to apply to MoHRE for the work permit.
According to the policy, an employee can get a new work permit for all limited and non-limited contracts if:
1) It is determined that the employer has failed to meet the legal and contractual obligations, including but not limited to failure to pay wages for more than 60 days
2) MoHRE confirms that the employer has not provided work due to the firm being inactive for more than two months and if the worker reports to the ministry during this period
3) The final ruling in a labour case (which MoHRE referred to the Labour Court on the basis of a complaint) is in favour of the employee and where the case pertains to early termination or outstanding wages which are less than two months of dues for end of service.
4) If the employee is in the UAE, he must maintain a status which allows him to transfer his residency to a different sponsor.
However, there now have been newer additions to this rule. According to www.khaleejtimes.com- “The “Coordination Committee to execute Cabinet Resolution No. (1/8#) for 2017″ will require those coming to the UAE for the purpose of work to obtain the “Good Conduct and Behaviour Certificate,” as a main condition to receive a work visa, starting from February 4, 2018.
The committee stated that the certificate, which must be presented, should be issued from the applicant’s home country or the country of their residency for the last five years. It must also be certified by the UAE’s missions abroad or through the attestation centre of the customer happiness centers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.”
This is not mandatory for tourists visiting the country but is for security reasons of the residents.