Understanding Visa Rules: Can You Switch Employers After 3 Years Without Penalties?

Hi all,

As the confusion still exists, I want to have more clarity on the issue. Is it possible to have a free release if someone has completed 3 years with the present employer? Do they need to pay any money in emigration to change over to another employer? Or do we understand that once someone completes their 3 years with the present employer without the intervention/permission of the present employer, a changeover can happen? Is it applicable to all categories like metrics, graduates, and postgraduates? Could anybody shed more light on this?

Best Regards,
Rajan

Dear Rajan,

In view of your question regarding the labor law, it states that if you complete 3 years with the company, your work permit will be available with the new sponsors. However, you should be prepared to pay a certain lump sum amount to the labor department for the transfer of your visa.

Regards, Raghav

Dear Rajan,

There is no fee to be paid by the employee; it has to be borne by the prospective employer. The process of transfer of visa is called Nacal Cafal. The cost of which depends on the duration which the employee has completed in the existing contract.

Hi Rajan, Arun & Manmaker,

How are HR jobs in the Middle East? Are they the same as in India? Actually, I'm interested in getting an HR job in Dubai. Can you guys give some guidelines?

Regards,
Anuradha

Hi Anuradha,

There are ample opportunities in the UAE. However, you can find plenty of openings in the recruitment sector. Recruitment consulting is also a significant area to explore.

Regards,
Rajan

Hi Rajan,

I have a total of 4+ years of experience in HR (Generalist) positions (2+ years in the IT industry) and completed my MPM along with a Diploma in Human Resources Management from Symbiosis.

Do you think I stand a chance to get a job there? How should I go about it? Are there any recruitment agencies you can recommend?

Regards,
Anuradha

Hi Srikanth,

Yes, please let me know the details so that I can start working on it.

Regards,
Anuradha

Hi friends,

I am also looking for a change. Right now, I am in Doha city but I am looking for better pay and a good organization that can provide family status. I have over 8 years of experience in HR & admin.

So, what are the basic concepts that come into play when a company wants to hire an HR person in their organization? Is Abu Dhabi a better place to stay with family?

Please help me, friends.

Ramana

Dear Anu,

I feel that you should try to look for career growth in India itself, as the HR role in the UAE and the Middle East is too limited. In India, you have exposure to diverse areas in the field of HR, with lots of top IT companies entering the market. If you are looking for good experience and gaining knowledge, I would suggest you be in India. I hope I'm not hurting your feelings or those of my other team members, Rajan and others.

Shahed Khan
HR Manager
Doha, Qatar

Hi Shahed Khan,

This is Ramana. I am also working in Doha as an HR Executive in a civil company. May I know in which company you're working?

Ramana

Hi Ramana Kumar,

I am also working in Doha as an HR Executive in a civil company. May I know which company you are working for?

Regards,
Ramana

Hi Shahed,

I work in a private IT firm, which is a shareholder company with IT-related products and services on Salwa Road. Where are you located in Doha?

Regards,
Shahed

Dear Shahed,

Thanks for sharing your views. Don't worry, you haven't hurt my feelings. I'm interested because I want international working exposure. No doubt, I can experience it here in India if I join an MNC, but it does not provide the working atmosphere I seek because we end up working with 50% Indian colleagues. Moreover, the laws and cultures vary in different countries.

This is what I think. You may have a different view on this. How about you? How long have you been in Qatar?

Regards,
Anuradha

Hi,

I have been here for 7 months. Yes, of course, you would get to work with different nationalities. What difference does it make? Even in Dubai, there are a lot of companies where there are Indian management and the majority are Indians in a few companies. What then?

In India, you can choose your own interest and stream in which you are interested. For example, recruitment, employee relations, trainer, workforce management, motivation, etc. But in the Middle East, you have less exposure to these areas. Of course, you can have a generalist role. I'm sure you will have a good experience.

Best of luck for your Middle East experience. If you need any info, let me know.

Regards,
Shahed

Hi Shahed,

I work in a private IT firm, which is a shareholder company with IT-related products and services on Salwa Road. What about you? Where in Doha are you located?

Regards,
Shahed

Hi Shahed,

Nice to see your message. I am working in an infrastructure company; we are involved in pipelines from Ras Laffan to MIC. I am located at Abu Hamour near Bangladesh School. Is your company involved in product development and marketing? I know one of your offices is at Abu Nakla on Salwa Road, but I am not very familiar with Doha as I have only been in this city for two months.

Ramana

Hi Raman,

We are into Retail IT products and services, Training and development, web-based IT solutions, and Advertising. It's a group, and I'm working in the parent company. I live in Madinah Khalifa and work on Salwa Road.

Shahed

Hi,

Very nice to read your mail. Oh, great Khalifa is a very nice place. Last Friday, I went to Carrefour. I am into HR & admin activities, and our strength is 375 just in our project. As I mentioned earlier, we are executing three projects, and our total strength is approximately 1200. If you calculate indirect and direct, it goes up some more.

From which part of India do you belong to, and I would like to know your expertise areas. Is there any HR groups in Doha city? If not, why don't we start an HR group and have meetups every month so that we can excel more? Think about this. We both will start if everything goes fine.

Ramana

Hi, I'd like to inquire, I'm now on a company visit visa valid for 2 months, but I'd like to transfer to another company, and they will provide an employment visa. Is it possible to transfer to another company while I am still on a company visit visa?

I hope you can assist me with this.

Thanks