Job Discussion Forums

boundforsaudi · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 243

My wife is a licensed massage therapist. If I sign on with HCT CERT in Dubai or elsewhere, will she be allowed to set up her business? What formalities would be required? Would she need to arrange a work visa or something before we leave the USA?

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

I would imagine that she'd be able to find work in Abu Dhabi or Dubai quite easily with a Brit run Spa/salon. As for the visa, that might be something the salon would be looking for you to provide. There are often jobs advertised as "female xxxxx (fill in occupation) on husband's or father's visa". Is it legal, technically no, does it happen, practically yes.

In my own shoes, I'd insist on the employer providing me with a legitamate work visa/labour card to avoid any potential hassle. This can happen after she arrives in the country with you on the HCT/CERT visa.

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

sandy gallop · Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Posts: 33 Location: San Dunia

boundforsaudi · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 243

Are Helen and VS in agreement here? Not sure what VS means by "it" would not be possible.

It doesn't seem like this is the sort of job that would involve processing a visa before travel. So, as I understand it, the wife could come over as my dependent, and once there, find a job at a spa, which spa would either have her work illegally without her own work visa, or else less likely, go through the trouble of processing a work visa for her. But the rules here are not strictly enforced, or the penalties are mild? Have I got that right? What would they do to us if she's caught?

But what about the possiblility of her setting up her own business? You know, freelancing? Would that be that allowed?

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

stoth1972 · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:41 pm Post subject:

Perhaps not in disagreement-helen is suggesting she can work illegally on her spousal visa (a common practice). VS is suggesting that in order to be legal, an employer must arrange the visa for the candidate. I suppose the "free" zones are one place where you could apply for your own operating license, but setting up your own business in the UAE can be quite costly. Better to do as VS suggested, and seeking employment w/ some of the british salons.

trapezius · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject:

Four options:

1) Finds work at a spa/salon and works with them legally, i.e., with a work visa. For that, she would have to come as your dependent, locate work (unless you are willing to locate work for her, and they agree to interview her and hire her without seeing her), leave the country, and come back on the spa's work visa. Cross this out, as even the spa people would prefer option 2:

2) Finds work at a spa/salon and works with them illegally, i.e., as your dependent. Nothing to be scared of here... everybody and their mother does it. Millions of expat women work in the Gulf (a lot of schools would collapse without this) while on their husbands' or fathers' "iqamas" (residence permits). This is the best option if she wants the feeling of being in a company, or wants company of other women colleagues. Otherwise, option 3 is best:

3) She starts her own business illegally. Again, nothing to be scared of here, as I said, millions do it. She will advertise in compounds, shopping centers, other public notice boards, and get clients. You might have to get a bigger place to set aside a small room for this in the apartment to keep it professional. Once word of mouth spreads, and her prices are competitive, and she is good, she will have a waiting list in no time!

4) She starts her own business legally. This is the hardest option, and is for those with money, time, and connections. Unless laws have changed, the business will have to be under the name of a local, i.e., on paper, a local would be the owner, and this local can any time seize the business if they feel like it (it happens), and your wife can't do anything about it, as on paper and legally the local is indeed the owner. Even without this possibility, and even if you have enough cash, opening a proper business is the last thing you would want to be doing there (finding a location to set up shop, finding employees, buying equipment, etc). Not worth it if you are only there for a couple to a few years.

\/ I see... but still, yes you still need money, location (rent), employees, etc.

stoth1972 · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:00 pm Post subject:

sandy gallop · Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Posts: 33 Location: San Dunia

trapezius · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:27 pm Post subject:

^ i don't think that's true, at least not in SA, and i know the rules in both countries are pretty much the same.

dependents (spouse, parents, children) of a legally employed expat in SA have NO RIGHT TO WORK, EVEN FOR FREE, and it is says this plain as daylight in my mother's iqama. she is obviously on my father's iqama, and it says in her iqama that she can't even do "volunteer work". (but she has been a paid school teacher for about 20 years--as i said, everybody does it)

everybody knows this in SA. there is no reason to think the laws in UAE are any different, since the "iqama/kafeel" system in the gulf countries is basically the same.

stoth1972 · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:38 pm Post subject:

Sandy, I would agree w/ Trap on this, unless perhaps the laws have recently changed. Anyone working must get a labour card, and this comes from the person paying your salary. If a wife enters the UAE on her husband's sponsorship, that makes her a legal resident, but not legal to work. My big issue with working illegally (sans labour card) is that you have no legal recourse should your employer break the law.

trapezius · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:46 pm Post subject:

lynnknows · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:41 am Post subject:

Ok, I guess the laws may have changed a bit. If you are on your husbands visa you can work. A few people at my old job were on their husbands visa and worked. The school gave them a labor card and contract. I did my paper work with a few of them. I can think of about 20 people at that school that were on another persons visa. In fact, they had an entire department that was like that. The only way you could even get hired was to be a local expat hire. Every person was a Native English speaker or what they called near native. The school gave them a labor card but no visa.

NadiaK · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 206

I believe that Sandy and Lynn are correct. It IS possible AND legal in the UAE to be sponsored by one's spouse and work for another organisation which will then provide you with a labour card (but not the residence visa).

A web search should confirm this.

Good luck!