Job Discussion Forums

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

The new retirement age of 65 years...(previous was 60 years) has been approved by the UAE Government.

Would it be realistic now for people in the 59 - 61 years age bracket to apply for teaching jobs in UAE?

I have one year left of contract in China, but considering my next move.

Thank you.

Ghost in China

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

We won't know the answer to that until someone tries it and actually gets hired.

VS

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

nwtefl · Joined: 20 May 2015 Posts: 148 Location: England

If someone in that older age bracket gets a job it will give us all hope ! Fingers crossed !

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I would say that anyone that is hired over 55-58 would be someone with direct related experience with Arabic speakers... preferably in the Gulf... on their CV. That has pretty much always been true.

VS

dustdevil · Joined: 27 Mar 2014 Posts: 38 Location: Retired in U.S.

Different country, but probably the same idea: In Saudi you still generally can't get a work permit beyond 60. I got mine at 59 and stayed six years. I could have stayed longer, as a couple of colleagues are about two years older than I am.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

On a related note...

Expatriates want to see out their days in the UAE
By Jennifer Bell, The National | July 30, 2016
Source: http://www.thenational.ae/uae/expatriates-want-to-see-out-their-days-in-the-uae

ABU DHABI // Expatriates are seeking changes to let them live out their days in the UAE, and believe the Government should review their retirement age. Many who have spent most of their working lives in the country dream of retiring here. They would like to see restrictions eased to allow expats, who make up about 85 per cent of the population, to obtain a residency visa after turning 65.

Abu Dhabi resident Liz Beneski said she would be thrilled to stay after she finished working. "I will be shattered if they don’t change the rules," said Ms Beneski, 48, an American. "My clock is ticking and I moved here to stay for life. I carefully chose my life in the UAE for many reasons but mainly because the growing healthcare sector, tourism attractions and modernity of design."

The marketing and communications director for the Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi would also like expat workers to be given the freedom to work for longer. The retirement age for expats is 60 years, although the Ministry of Labour accepts requests for work permits for people over that age, up to 65. The retirement age for Emiratis is 49. "I wish the Government would reconsider its age limits on employment," said Ms Beneski. "It would be my dream to be able to work until mid or late 60s, then retire and remain welcome."

Al Ghadeer resident Anita Nasr agreed. "It’s early yet for me to start worrying about retirement but after 17 years in the UAE as a hard-working, law-abiding resident, it would be nice to know I didn’t have to leave the minute I stopped working," she said. "Like many Lebanese, my long-term plans have to include a Plan B in case the situation there deteriorates further. Knowing there’s an option close to home would be a great relief."

Sarah Flowerday said life after retirement was a constant concern. "I want to stay and this is something that worries me a lot," said the Brit, the global vice president of a manufacturing company. "I’ve been here nine years now and have 20 left before I retire, and I honestly want this to change for us. I hope I don’t have to leave and I hope I’ll be here for the next 20 years until I do retire."

After 41 years in the country, Manzer Qayyum wanted to consider the UAE a home for life. "More than a want for me, it is a need to retire here," said Mr Qayyum, 55. "I am from Pakistan and my wife is Indian. This is the place we got married and both our sons are working here. We have all our friends here and it is going to be very difficult to adjust if we ever go back. If the government here can make the visa rule easy for people who have lived here for decades and help with medical care, this would be the ideal place for us to retire."

Purvi Gokani Rupareliya, 37, owner of the Beautiful Henna Centre in Abu Dhabi, said she would also like to stay longer if the rules of residency and retirement were easier. Pakistani financial controller A M, 26, hoped the rules would change. "It should be the same like in the West or in Europe," he said. "If you spend five years or so you get permanent residence or nationality. Here you don’t get either. At a minimum, permanent residence should be there for those who spend more than 10 years here."

(End of article)

danshengou · Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2016 10:09 pm Post subject:

Definitely something to keep in mind before building a career there. Do they have an investment residency option? I am pretty sure Bahrain does. Otherwise, be ready to move somewhere when that day comes.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

No they don't. Even if you buy their high priced real estate, it doesn't include a residence visa. That is the main reason that I have always advised against investing there. A number of teachers bought flats at the higher end of the real estate market, then lost their jobs... and their investment in the flat because they had to leave and couldn't unload the flat.

VS

rdobbs98 · Joined: 08 Oct 2010 Posts: 236

My boss, principal, is 68 and still here!

danshengou · Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 11:20 am Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

danshengou · Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 5:27 pm Post subject:

However that may be, it does not change the fact that residency is not required to buy a home in the UAE. That said, if you feel doing so is too risky, then put your money elsewhere.

Unfortunately, that still doesn't change the fact that many teachers lost their hides. But the lesson is don't buy something you probably can't afford, and always plan for the worst (e.g., you lose your job, can no longer work, etc.). In my view TEFLers should probably stick with low-risk liquid investments for when that rainy day comes.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

Back on the 65 age limit ... I've heard that once you're over 60, you have to do an annual visa renewal. This is a hassle for the employee and employer, so they tend to look for new hires that would statistically have fewer health issues and cost less for a visa renewal; once every three years, not every year.

Special skills and a longstanding track record of success in the region might make it happen, but I would say the 55 and older folks are not in the top bracket for consideration.