Announced Changes v Implemented Changes UAE Business Licencing & Visas PRO PARTNER GROUP OCTOBER 29, 2018 | JAMES SWALLOW Please note that this presentation is provided on an information only basis non of the contents constitute advice and in certain cases speculation is made about current guidelines and procedures and future updates – actual procedures may differ and processes at government departments are subject to change without notice. PRO Partner Group (PPG) accepts no liability for actions undertaken by recipients of this information and attendees of the presentation. Please speak to a member of the PPG team if assistance or any clarification is required and for any specific Company or Individual PRO assistance inquiry – contact details below.
Who are PRO Partner Group? PRO Partner Group are a leading PRO Services and Support provider in the UAE The Professional Partnership you can trust VISA and Staff Support Services – • Professional PRO Services Secure Local Partnership and Sponsorship • Company Formation and Business • Structuring and Licencing assistance We eliminate the stress and minimise the time
Announced Changes v Implemented Changes UAE Business Licensing & Visas In June 2018 50bn Incentive package announced to accelerate the • pace of Abu Dhabi’s development and economic growth over the next three years. To better facilitate business and to support and encourage new • sectors and SMEs and industrial projects, to stimulate tourism and local economic development. Accelerate settlement of dues to private sector, and review all fines – • form a new committee for Executive Office and the Department of Finance. Abu Dhabi Accelerators and Advanced Industries Council, “Ghadan” – • 3 year development plan, starting in 2019.
Key Points of Discussion 1. New licences Freelancer License – No office required for 2 years, allowing home licenses – Dual licences for companies in Abu Dhabi Free Zones – 2. Ministry of Labour 3000 AED deposit refund Giving AED 18bn Back – Replaced by insurance scheme for workers – 3. Moving all government systems online DED systems now linked fully online – TAMM & Notary Online – 4. Visa rules Part time and temporary work permits – Visa transfer process – 6 month job seeker visas – 5. Other implemented changes 6. What are we waiting for updates on
Freelancer – Tajer Licence 1. Cover 1057 activities - including General Trading - which had gone from DED List - and Importing activity is allowed for example 2. Special Type of MOA and TL 3. Can be 100% UAE Owned Establishment or an LLC with 51% Local partner - 100% foreign owned - we expect this to be brought in later 4. In LLC shareholders must be individuals, cannot be corporates - we expect this to change later 5. Exempt from office for 2 years – can use co-working or home office 6. Labour quota allowed up to 3 visas - yet to see practical application of this
Dual Licences - Freezones 1. All Abu Dhabi Freezones can now set up a duplicate branch onshore and obtain a DED Licence, no separate onshore office is required 2. Need NOC from Freezone and NOC from company stating that they have no other branch in AD 3. Potentially removes the requirement for a local partner / NSA – the Freezone becomes the ‘sponsor’ 4. Must exactly replicate free zone structure and activity – an SPV for example cannot have dual licence 5. Key issues remain – regulatory approvals – SPC, ACTVET, HAAD, ADEK 6. Ministry of Labour and quota issues remain – no Tawtheeq, no MOL file – can the branch obtain labour quota and visa staff. How is this practically applied. Issue of visa allocation will count against Freezone quota. This is not yet clear.
MOL deposit replaced 1. Only for new visas, cancellations, or renewals 2. Optional to choose between the 3000 refundable deposit or 120 insurance plus 30 fee (150 total) for 2 years 3. If the company has had a WPS or Labour block in last 6 months – must wait another 6 months for the refund 4. Insurance is AED 60 per year and provides up to AED 20,000 of insurance over per employee – covering salary, gratuity, flight home etc
Online Systems 1. Online Notary System 5 days + 5 days window once approved – Location Specific – 2. DED now linked to more departments Immigration linked – MOL not linked – 3. TAMM Trade Names reservation – all partners must have EID and must first – register on the system MOAs and POAs can be attested and notarised – Will produce a bank letter to assist bank account opening – as with – freezones
Visa Updates 1. Visa Transfers now possible Between DED to DED only – FZE to FZE available within same Emirate only – Does not count towards labour quota – 2. Part Time / Temporary Work Contracts now allowed Multiple employers – Skilled job titles only – NOC from current Employer – 6 or 12 months – extendable – No quota needed – same process as a new visa – Primary employer pays insurance, visa, leave, gratuity etc – Non compete clauses are void – 3. Family on hold now online in Abu Dhabi Must have 6 months left on visa – Cancel Labour card only, obtain offer letter and NOC from old company – AED 5000 deposit – 4. Taw-Jeeh “Instruction” – watch video and received guidance - 207 AED pp. – 100% of standard jobs – categories 3,4 & 5 – Selection of Manager levels jobs – categories 1 & 2 – VIP process possible for certain companies –
Other Updates Expired Labour Cards – now blocking all companies at a local sponsor • level. Preventing quota and visa applications for all same sponsored companies 6 Month Jobseeker Visas have appeared as part of the current amnesty – • for expired visas Women sponsoring family members is now easier in Abu Dhabi • Indian National Visas for AD – Offer letter, work permit, go to UAE • Embassy in India, sign contract there, then you get a UAE Visa from India DED TL update – if shareholders in an LLC are both companies the • Manager must now go on the Trade Licence – needs EID or UID
No Updates Yet No update on 10 year visas • innovators and talented specialists property and company investors No update on retirement visas • No update on student visas • No update on job seekers except the amnesty – which gives 6 mths • 100% Foreign Owned LLCs – some hint at thresholds and specifics • strategic sectors Watch this space for Q4 •
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Company Formation | Government Liaison | Foreign Branches | PRO Services Abu Dhabi | Dubai | Qatar | Oman Contact us at the Abu Dhabi office on +971 (0)2 448 5120 or info@ppg.ae Follow us on: LinkedIn: PRO Partner Group Twitter: @PROPartnerGroup Facebook: PRO Partner Group
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