UAE Visa Bank Guarantee To Be Abolished Saving Employers Thousands

11th October 2018

Effective 15th October 2018, UAE companies applying for staff visas will no longer be required to deposit a visa bank guarantee of AED3,000. This is part of the government's plans to boost the economy and a significant overhaul of the UAE's visa system.

The current UAE visa bank guarantee system

Until now, employers have deposited a visa bank guarantee at the time of processing a new employee's visa. This is held for the duration of the employee's employment. The employer can then either request it to be refunded or keep it deposited against a future visa.

The new insurance scheme replacing the visa bank guarantee system

Replacing the visa bank guarantee will be an annual insurance policy per employee of AED60. The policy will provide cover of up to AED20,000 per employee. The insurance is intended to compensate the worker for gratuity (end of service benefit), flight ticket home, unpaid wages, and notice pay in the event the employer is unable to pay, e.g in the instance that a company is in financial difficulty.

How can UAE companies reclaim their visa bank guarantees?

It is reported that approximately AED14 billion is currently held in UAE visa bank guarantees. Employers will be able to claim refunds for their guarantees currently held. At the moment, it is yet to be announced when employers can start to claim the refunds and how this will be rolled out. However, it is understood that companies which have had a block against them within the last six months will need to be block free for six months before they can claim.

How Gateway Group can help with your UAE visas

Our experienced and knowledgeable team are visa processing gurus. We will confirm the document requirements and fees and subsequently manage the process to be streamlined and efficient. To get Gateway's team processing your visas, email us: Info@GatewayToUAE.com

Written by Jenny Hunt, Founding Partner & CEO

Gateway Group of Companies, Abu Dhabi & Dubai UAE