UAE: Ministry of Labour to Reform its Work Permit Processing System
According to The National, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Labour (MOL) plans to reform the system by which it accepts work permit applications through external typing offices, following reports of abuse, including forgery. The external typing offices submit applications directly to the MOL on behalf of individuals and companies, collect ministry fees and fines, and provide legal advice. There are approximately 5,000 of these offices, and currently they can operate without a license.
Under the new scheme:
- the MOL will restrict operations to service centers that meet ministry standards (including a proposed requirement that the service centers be owned and managed by Emiratis);
- a newly created department will monitor the service centers; and
- service centers will charge a standard fee of Dh35 per application.
Photo credit: Saudi
