Working in Abu Dhabi | ExpatWoman.com
 

Working in Abu Dhabi

1
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 October 2014 - 19:47

Hi all! This forum has been such a great source of info, and I'm hoping someone can answer a question for me.
My husband has received a job offer in Abu Dhabi and will be sponsoring me and the kids. I contract for an international company, based in Europe at the moment. Will I be able to work in Abu Dhabi? Will the company have to register in Abu Dhabi in order to keep me on contract? I'm really confused about all this, and worried that my company won't want to continue to contract with me if it is going to be a hassle or expensive for them. Any advice would be appreciated!

1
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 October 2014 - 11:57
HI sharoniouz and suzy, thanks for the replies! sharoniouz... does the bank you work for provide a labour card for you? As Suzy rightly pointed out, the company I will work for is not registered her, nor does it want to be. So i feel like it's a grey area. Working from home in Abu Dhabi, for an overseas company not registered here, being paid in my home country... My work is mostly online, occasional business meetings in Abu Dhabi / Dubai too probably. I've looked into a Freelance licence too, but that doesn't fit the bill either! Another aspect is if I have to travel on business from Abu Dhabi to another country that requires a visa. Sigh, I'm spinning in circles here :)
203
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 October 2014 - 11:43
Not too sure how this scenario would be seen legally. I take it you work from home, right? If you are sponsored by your husband, a company that employs you here would only need to get you a labour card. Since your company is not registered here then they do not need to get this for you. In your shoes, I would continue the arrangement you have with your company and make sure that you are paid in a bank account in your country and not one here. You will, however, not be able to use the labour courts here in case of any issues with your employer.
90
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 October 2014 - 10:12
I can't say for certain as you should probably check with the PR Department from your husbands new job, but if you are living here under your husbands visa your visa will most likely have 'housewife' status. I am on my husbands visa but work at a bank, my husband provides me with my insurance card from his place of work which makes my place of work all the more happy because they don't have to pay for any fees for legal work etc.. There is absolutely no hassle whatsoever for me. Where you work or what you do is none of anyones business because you are not in the UAE on any company visa, you are on your husbands visa and the only thing they care about is that you're not here ilegally.