Q: I still have the residency card, and I'm still working for my employer, but I'd like to find a better job. Can I get another residency from the new employer immidiately after cancelling my last one?? Is it true that I have to get more than one visa until six months in order to be a resident again?? Thanks a lot.
A: First you have to resign regarding your contract. Secondly you may transfer to another employer after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer to transfer the visa to another employer, provided that the newly imposed fees should be settled. Such fees are called "the one year non-completion fees" which is calculated at the rate of Dh500 per month. For instance, if you resign after 3 months service only then you would be obliged to pay a fee of Dh 4.500 for the remaining 9 months. If your current company provides you with a NOC and you pay the fees, than no ban will be imposed. In case no NOC is provided, you'll receive a 6 months ban. With a 6 months ban you can obtain a visit visa but you are not allowed wo work unless you take a job in the Free Zone. Your new employer will apply for a new visa. You only would need more than one visa in case you stay here for 6 months on a visit visa and have to go on visa runs which can be avoid if you by what I wrote at the beginning. Take care.