Living In UAE

Reader story

UAE: Do I need to pay for my employment visa?

Reader asks if there is a minimum wage for certain professions in the UAE

Published: October 22, 2020 16:30 Last updated: November 12, 2020 14:01 Huda Tabrez, Living in UAE Editor

1 of 14

Is there a minimum wage stipulated as per the UAE Labour Law based on certain professions, like doctors, engineers or teacher? — The question was raised by a Gulf News reader Image Credit: Stock image

2 of 14

“I would like to know if there is a rule for minimum wage for licensed pharmacists in the UAE, or does it completely depend on the employer, who can negotiate with the pharmacists?” — Is there a minimum wage as per the UAE Labour Law for certain professions? Image Credit: Stock image

3 of 14

“Another question I have is that is it legal to deduct the visa and licence cost from the salaries of employees working under a UAE employer? Kindly help me and other employees to clear these confusions,” she added. — Can an employer deduct visa and licence costs from an employee's salary? Image Credit: Gulf News

4 of 14

Gulf News raised the query with Ahmed Elnaggar, Managing Partner at Abu Dhabi-based Elnaggar Legal Advisors Limited, who responded to both parts of the reader’s query. — Image Credit: Supplied

5 of 14

Regarding a minimum salary by law for certain professions, he said: “There is no minimum wage for a licensed pharmacist or any other profession based on articles of the UAE Labour Law … — Minimum salary based on professional category. Image Credit: Stock image

6 of 14

All the articles pertaining to wages are very general and do not specify a minimum or maximum wage. It is left to be regulated contractually between the employee and the employer at the start of the employment relationship — The salary would be based on the negotiation between the two parties. Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News

7 of 14

The UAE’s official website – government.ae – also mentions that while there is no minimum salary stipulated in the UAE Labour Law, salaries must cover basic needs of the employees, according to the Law. — The salary should cover basic expenses that an employee may incur. Image Credit: Stock image

8 of 14

As for the practice of deducting any visa processing costs from the employee’s salary, Elnaggar said that the practice violated the UAE Labour Law. — Deducting visa costs from an employee’s salary Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News

9 of 14

“I cannot stress strongly enough that such a practice is illegal. The employer has no right to pass the obligation of the visa payments, or related expenses like the residence or work permit, to the employee. — Image Credit: Stock image

10 of 14

“This includes costs related to the membership of a specific professional department for the employee, like the card issued by Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in the case of doctors. — Licence costs from any regulatory body would also be included in this requirement, according to Elnaggar. Image Credit: Gulf News

11 of 14

Image Credit: Gulf News

12 of 14

Article 6(a) of the UAE Labour Law Image Credit: Stock image

13 of 14

An undertaking [must be signed] from the employer to the effect that he shall sponsor and be responsible for the recruited worker, 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. — Image Credit: Stock image

14 of 14

Article 6 (a) of the UAE Labour Law clearly states that the employer should bear the cost of applying for the worker's recruitment expenses. Image Credit: Gulf News

Browse by Categories

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy .