Member News

United Arab Emirates

08 February 2022 Wages Protection System Now Optional for Domestic Workers

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization in the United Arab Emirates has implemented a rule whereby salaries of foreign nationals in the domestic worker category can be optionally disbursed by employers through the Wages Protection System (WPS).
The domestic worker category includes individuals working for private households as cooks, drivers, gardeners, housekeepers, nurses, and teachers, among others.
The WPS is designed to protect workers from the delayed payment (or non-payment) of salaries by requiring salaries to be transferred electronically through bank accounts, exchange offices and other financial institutions authorized by the UAE Central Bank. The WPS is currently mandatory for employers in the UAE mainland and in select free zones.

Bahrain 10 February 2022 – New Long-Term Residence Visa Scheme Launched
The Ministry of Interior in Bahrain has announced the launch of a Golden Residency Visa program for existing residents and foreign nationals seeking to live and work in Bahrain.
First announced in October 2021, the program aims to attract and retain investors and highly talented individuals by offering a 10-year, renewable residence permit which guarantees the sponsorship of residence permits for immediate family members as well as the right to work in Bahrain (subject to obtaining a work authorization).

Golden Residency Visa Eligibility Conditions
To benefit from the Golden Residency Visa, applicants must meet any of the following eligibility criteria:

Existing Residents
o must have worked in Bahrain continuously for a minimum of five years with a monthly salary of not less than BHD 2,000; or
o must be retired in Bahrain, having lived in Bahrain for a minimum of five years with a monthly income of not less than BHD 2,000; or
o must own one or more properties in Bahrain with a total purchase value of no less than BHD 200,000; or
o must be recognized by the relevant government authority in Bahrain (including an accredited business incubator) for having exceptional skills or talent in academics, entrepreneurship, science, or sports, among other fields.

Prospective Residents
o must be retired with a minimum monthly income of BHD 4,000 or equivalent in another currency; or
o must own one or more properties in Bahrain with a total purchase value of no less than BHD 200,000; or
o must be recognized by the relevant government authority in Bahrain (including an accredited business incubator) for having exceptional skills or talent in academics, entrepreneurship, science, or sports, among other fields.

Holders of the new visa category must reside in Bahrain for a minimum of 90 days per year to ensure that the visa remains valid.

Foreign nationals can file their visa application electronically through the e-Government Portal. Depending on the category of the applicant, the required supporting documentation includes copies of previous residence permit for Bahrain, certificate of good conduct, proof of retirement, salary certificate, valid health insurance, title deed, and bank statements.

Government fee for the issuance of the Golden Residency Visa is BHD 304.

Additional details relating to terms and conditions of the new visa category are expected to be published in the coming months.

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