The UAE is bringing something new every year and this constant change is what makes it a progressive country.
Among the most notable changes in legislation is related to expats’ work and life balance.
President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued the Federal Decree – Law No.33 of 2021 on the regulation of labour relations in the private sector that will take effect from February 2, 2022.
This law and more are the reasons why the UAE is now the top destination in the Middle East and 4th worldwide for global nomads.
Over 40 laws are included in the changes, which together represent the largest legal reform in the young nation’s 50-year history.
TFT lists down the most important legislations pertaining to expats’ residency and labor status in the UAE:
Multiple Entry Tourist Visa
A new Multiple Entry Tourist Visa can now be issued for all nationalities, in a step that aims to facilitate the process for tourists and visitors.
The five-year visa enables tourists to enter multiple times on self-sponsorship and remain in the country for 90 days on each visit, which can be extended for another 90 days.
Remote Work Visa
With aims to attract talents and expertise from all over the world, the UAE cabinet approved a new Remote Work Visas cheme to enable employees from all over the world to work remotely from the UAE.
The one-year visa allows foreigners to enter the UAE under self-sponsorship and work in line with terms and conditions issued with the visa.
The major step, considered first of its kind in the region, aims to boost the competitiveness of the UAE’s tourism sector and support the national economy.
It provides the opportunity for entrepreneurs and talents to innovate in the UAE’s safe and attractive business environment, with access to all the necessary services including world-class utilities and telecoms.
Cohabitation
The new law effectively decriminalizes consensual relationships out of wedlock, providing that any child conceived as a result of the relationship is acknowledged and will be cared for.
Any couple conceiving a child out of wedlock will be required to marry or singly or jointly acknowledge the child and provide identification papers and travel documents in accordance with the laws of the country of which either is a national, considering the applicable laws of that nation.
Failing this, a criminal case would introduce a prison term of two years for both correspondents.
The UAE has ratified a new and updated Federal Crime and Punishment Law, a move intended to further develop and refine the legislative system of the United Arab Emirates. The new legislation offers enhanced protections for women and domestic servants, strengthens public safety and security provisions and eases restrictions on extra-marital relationships and it will be fully enacted starting from January 2nd, 2022.
