Employees who hold a valid UAE work visa sponsored by a mainland company occasionally need to perform work for a company licensed in a UAE free zone, like RAKEZ etc. The question is whether such an employee can legally work for the free zone company without transferring their visa sponsorship, and if so, on what terms and under what regulatory framework.
Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations The primary federal legislation governing employment relationships and work permits in the UAE. Establishes the general framework for work permit issuance and the prohibition on double employment without regulatory authorisation.
Cabinet Decision No. 1 of 2022 — Executive Regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Sets out the procedural rules for work permit issuance, categories of permits, and the conditions under which an employee may work for more than one employer.
Free zone Authority Regulations
For example, RAKEZ operates as an independent free zone authority with its own licensing and immigration framework. The temporary wor...