Job Discussion Forums

[skeptic]

I am curious about the practice of schools holding their employees' passports. Is this commonplace in the ME? I was warned that one should never relinquish one's passport, so by what legal grounds does a school justify this demand?

Is their reasoning that they keep them for the employee's protection, or is it for their own: to give them leverage? Do schools also offer to keep the passports of dependents?

Also, if teachers have been accommodating this demand, has it proven to be a problem for anyone in the past?

[Justice_Seeker]

I have had the experience of dealing with a rogue employer (see the theads on ADU) who insist on keeping employee's passports. They do this (employers) to allow them to impose whatever conditions of employment they see fit (even if it contravenes the terms and conditions in your contract).

The bottom line on passports in the UAE is this: they remain the property of the issuing state and employers DO NOT have the right to retain them. However - you can waive the right to retain your own passport if you wish. I would think that any employer who insists on retaining passports should be viewed suspiciously. They obviously have no intention to fulfil their contractual obligations. If your employer tries to retain your passport after visa issuance - then call your embassy. They will soon get their "property" back and return it to you.

Hope this helps.

[Tuttifruitti]

I agree.
In the UAE, all employers have to take your passport so they can get a residence visa for you. However, depending on the establishment, this shouldn't take much longer than a couple of weeks.
If it's a reputable place, they shouldn't keep it.

[Stephen Jones]

In Saudi employers are actually required to keep your passport, since they have a legal obligation to return your residence permit should you leave the country., and as you are obliged to have your residence permit on you at all times, the only way they can be certain of this is by keeping your passport.