In case you missed The View From The Top, here is the Immigration update from Fragomen's Julia Onslow Cole with a focus on Emiratization in Dubai!
Emiratization refers to the process of increasing the participation of Emirati citizens in the private sector workforce. This has been a priority for the government in Dubai for some time, and recent changes to immigration policies reflect this emphasis.
One of the major changes is that companies are now required to grow their Emirati population by 1% every six months. If they fail to do so, they will be required to pay a fee of 7,000 dirhams for every job that was given to a non-Emirati citizen. Furthermore, it is expected that by 2026, all companies should have increased their Emirati population by 10%.
While free zones are not currently subject to these rules, there are rumors that they may be in the future. It is important for businesses to stay up-to-date on these policies and to ensure that they are in compliance. Audits are currently taking place, and it is critical to have a good understanding of Emiratization rules and how they may apply to your business.
This emphasis on Emiratization is not unique to Dubai. It is a regional trend that we are seeing across the Middle East. In countries like Yemen, where there is a high population of young people and a high unemployment rate, nationalization policies have been prevalent for some time. Now, other countries like Qatar and Bahrain are beginning to introduce similar policies in certain sectors.
Overall, the emphasis on Emiratization is an important development for companies operating in Dubai and the wider Middle East region. It is essential to understand the rules and regulations around this policy and to ensure that you are in compliance. As we continue to see more changes to immigration policies around the world, it is critical to stay informed and adapt to the shifting landscape of global mobility.
You can watch Julia's complete update here:
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Previous immigration updates can be accessed here.
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