‘Can a woman sponsor her husband in Saudi Arabia?’

Question: I have been approached about moving to Saudi Arabia to take up a senior role. I am getting conflicting information, so would like to know if I would be able to sponsor my husband? I was told by one person that women cannot sponsor their husbands but someone else said it is possible.

I can’t move without my spouse and our young children, so need to know before I make any decisions. RC, UK

Answer: It can be possible, but it depends on the type of visa and contract that RC is offered. It needs to provide for family sponsorship, so the potential employer needs to confirm that.

The contract of employment must state “family status”. It is extremely hard to change to this if that is not how the initial contract and Iqama (residence permit) are set up.

RC can apply for residency permits for her husband and children after hers has been issued, and it is always easier if the employer assists. Her husband’s iqama will state that he is not permitted to work. If he wishes to take up employment at some time in the future, he will need to be sponsored by his employer.

Q: My father is due to travel to Abu Dhabi soon to stay with us for a few weeks. He sent us a copy of his passport and there are only five months left before it expires. I was told by a friend that people need six months to enter the UAE, but that sometimes three months is OK.

I’d like to know if he can travel here to visit us without having to renew his passport. ON, Abu Dhabi

A: The rules are generally strict regarding having six months’ validity on a passport to enter the UAE, or indeed any country, unless someone has residency or is a citizen.

As in most of the world, the UAE requires visitors to have a passport with validity of at least six months upon entry. Without that, a person is unlikely to be permitted to check in for the flight as the airlines have initial responsibility and can be fined if they allow someone to board an aircraft without the correct documentation and passport validity.

I have heard of cases where people have been able to board a non-national carrier and been refused entry at UAE immigration. That is not a risk anyone should take.

There can sometimes be exemptions given for compassionate reasons, but not for a holiday. ON’s father will need to renew his passport before travelling to the UAE.

For expatriates with valid UAE residency visas who wish to enter the UAE, the minimum validity is three months.

Q: I have resigned from my job and am working through my notice period. I have another job lined up and will start that soon after a short holiday.

I don’t want my bank account to be frozen as I have bills to pay. My question is whether my employer has to notify my bank that it is my last payment from them?

I also have a small balance outstanding on a credit card. Is there anything I can do to stop my account being frozen? AL, Dubai

A: When someone receives their last salary payment before leaving employment, it is standard for the payment to be marked as “final settlement”. Indeed, the employer is obliged to do this, especially when they are aware that someone may have outstanding liabilities, such as a personal loan or other debts.

A company can be fined for failing to follow the law. Once a bank is informed of a final salary payment, they are likely to freeze an account, especially where there are outstanding liabilities.

The reason for this is that so many people have withdrawn their money and left the country without repaying what they owe. This course of action reduces the debt problems for banks.

The timescale of a bank unfreezing an account will vary. If there are no debts, then an account should be unfrozen very quickly.

Some banks will apply the final salary payment and any end-of-service gratuity against the debt, so AL needs to check the terms of his account.

Where there is an outstanding debt, certain banks will only unfreeze an account on being shown sight of a new job offer or a new employment visa. Some will not unfreeze an account until the first new salary payment is made.

In a situation where an individual expects an account to be frozen, it would be wise to withdraw some cash before the last salary payment so that they can manage for a few weeks.

Having a good relationship with a bank and advising them of circumstances may also be helpful as it shows that there is every intention of repaying the debt and the bank may then be more amenable.

Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com or at www.financialuae.com

The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only