United Arab Emirates (UAE) – A woman living under her husband’s sponsorship with a ‘housewife’ visa can legally take up employment without changing her visa status. This is in accordance with Article 6(1)(c) of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, which allows for the issuance of work permits to residents sponsored by their families and employed in establishments registered with the Ministry.
However, there are certain guidelines and procedures that need to be adhered to. As per Administrative Resolution No. 38 of 2022, both the woman seeking employment and her prospective employer must fulfill the requirements for obtaining a work permit, offer letter, and employment contract.
In some cases, the woman may also need to provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) signed by her husband, which the prospective employer would then submit to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) to secure a work permit.
The UAE law specifically Article 6(1) of the Employment Law and Article 5(4) of the Immigration Law mandates that no work can be performed in the UAE, and no employee may be recruited or employed by any employer without obtaining a valid work permit from the Ministry. Any violation of these provisions could lead to legal consequences for both the employee and the employer.
Therefore, while it is possible for a woman on a ‘housewife’ visa to work in the UAE, it is crucial that all necessary legal procedures are followed to ensure that the employment is lawful and does not result in any penalties.