New UAE job-switch rule 'in place for weeks'

Dubai: The labour ministry is allowing expatriates to change jobs without waiting six months before issuing another labour permit, provided several conditions are met and transaction fees are paid, senior officials confirmed. All expatriates who have worked for their sponsor for at least a year, who have cancelled their labour card and residence permit without any bans, and have not signed a no-competition agreement, may apply for a new labour permit after paying transaction fees, said Ahmad Kajour, undersecretary of planning at the ministry. Such expats do not have to wait six months. The fee for the 'internal labour permit (status correction)' transaction varies from Dh1,500 to Dh9,000. Other top officials confirmed the new transaction but said they were waiting for Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, Labour Minister, to announce it.