The United Arab Emirates has issued terms and conditions for issuing Iqama to foreign workers.
The implementation of the action plan related to the law on residence and entry into the emirate will start from next month. Iqama will be issued on presenting the employment contract with the employer or providing a copy of the appointment decision.
The new process states that the federal authority will issue iqama to a foreigner who is bound by an employment contract with an employer if three conditions are met.
The first condition is that the institution bringing the foreigner to the Emirates is a government institution, it can be a federal institution or a local one. Iqama will be issued only on presentation of a copy of the employment contract or the document of the decision on the appointment of the foreigner.
The second condition is that the institution bringing the foreigner to the Emirates must fall within the ambit of federal law or must be related to the category of workers providing services.
The third condition is that the agency bringing the foreigner to the Emirates is exempt from all the provisions of the Federal Law Ordinance.
Several regulations have to be followed for the issuance of Iqama Permit. Be in good health as per the country's laws, have medical insurance during the period of residence and have paid the prescribed fee.
The process states that the Iqama permit will be issued for two years. It may extend for two years or more. Iqama permit can be issued even for one year.
In the new process of Iqama regulations, the Emirates has given the facility to issue Iqama even to expatriates who do not have an employment contract.
The action plan stated that there are 9 cases in which a foreigner can be issued Iqama without employment.
Must be a student of a university or college or license holder research or educational institution.
Iqama can also be issued to a foreigner without employment who is working online in a government agency. Iqama can also be issued to a retired foreigner. Iqama can also be issued to a foreigner who owns real estate in the UAE.
Iqama will also be issued to the families of foreigners living in the UAE. This may include the alien's parents. For this, the foreigner must be a Green Iqama holder.
Iqama can also be issued to foreign parents, children, husband or wife of an Emirati citizen without employment. In the same way, a foreign woman can also be issued an iqama without employment whose Emirati husband has died or who has been divorced by her Emirati husband and has a son or other children by him.
Any foreigner can be granted Iqama without employment on humanitarian grounds by the order of the Head of State.
