‘Work Bundle’: A New Platform to Streamline Employee Residency Procedures in the UAE

The UAE government has launched the ‘Work Bundle’, a new online platform that significantly simplifies and expedites work permit and residency visa procedures for private sector companies in Dubai. The initiative, which will be gradually expanded to include other emirates, is part of the ‘Zero Bureaucracy’ programme aimed at reducing and streamlining government procedures and eliminating unnecessary requirements.

The ‘Work Bundle’ offers a single platform to complete employment services, including hiring, renewal, cancellation, medical examination, and fingerprinting. The platform allows clients to complete their transactions in the fewest steps possible through digital platforms, without the need to visit any government entity. The platform also provides dashboards, reports, and labour statistics.

The initiative is a result of close cooperation between federal and local government entities, such as the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, and Dubai Health. The initiative is also supported by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and Digital Dubai, which provides the digital infrastructure and services to enable seamless data exchange between the relevant entities.

Saving Time and Money

The ‘Work Bundle’ is expected to save time and money for both the government and the private sector, as well as enhance the efficiency, quality, and flexibility of the UAE’s labor market. According to the UAE government, the initiative will reclaim 62 million working days previously devoted to the renewal of residencies and employment contracts within government frameworks. The initiative will also reduce 25 million procedures on an annual basis, thereby yielding substantial savings for both the governmental and private sectors.

The initiative will also benefit the employees and the employers, as it will reduce the hassle and the cost of obtaining and renewing work permits and residency visas. The initiative will also improve the transparency and the accuracy of the labor data, which will help in planning and decision-making. The initiative will also support the UAE’s vision to become a leading destination for talent and innovation.

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Impacting South East Asian Diaspora

The ‘Work Bundle’ will have a positive impact on the South East Asian diaspora in the UAE, which constitutes a large and diverse segment of the country’s population and workforce. According to the latest estimates, there are about 3.5 million South East Asians living in the UAE, mainly from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. They work in various sectors, such as construction, hospitality, retail, domestic work, and health care.

The ‘Work Bundle’ will make it easier and faster for the South East Asian diaspora to access and maintain their legal status in the UAE, which will enhance their security and well-being. The initiative will also enable them to save time and money that they can use for other purposes, such as remittances, education, and investment. The initiative will also increase their opportunities and mobility in the UAE’s labor market, which will boost their productivity and income. The initiative will also foster their integration and inclusion in the UAE’s society and economy, which will strengthen their ties and loyalty to the country.