Obligation to pay employment visa expenses to the employer

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for reaching out to me on this!

Please note that you are not obliged to make any payments to the company for the visa status change even if you are inside the country and this is also clearly mentioned in your offer letter that employer will bear the visa cost.

All the expenses' connections are to be borne by the employer.

This is in accordance with Article 6 (a) of Ministerial Resolution of 52 of 1989:

"An undertaking from the employer to the effect that he shall sponsor and be responsible for the recruited labourer, the bearing of his recruitment expenses and his employment in accordance with the employment contract in a way not prejudicing the provision of the Federal Law No (8)/1980 referred to herein."

There is no corresponding provision under the UAE Labour Law which obliges the employee to pay such fees. If the employer persists with this, I believe you should raise a complaint with the Labour Department.

I trust you will find this helpful. For further assistance and clarification, please feel free to contact me over email or phone.

Regards,