![]() ![]() and European citizens are still largely going through the visa allocation process relatively stress free, those from other nations – particularly those involved in the Arab Spring uprisings – are largely being locked out. Some suggest that the motivation for this could be political. When approval eventually came through, both the salary and job title had been reduced. He had been living in the UAE for six years and had the necessary documentation including a visa and Emirates ID card. ![]() One financial services professional in Abu Dhabi tells us that he was offered a job in July last year at a government institution, but has only just been given the go-ahead to start the role. “This is particularly the case for those seeking new jobs in sovereign institutions.” “A lot of people are trapped in their current role, feeling that if they lose their sponsorship a new employer will find it incredibly difficult to extend a new visa to them,” said another financial services recruiter in Dubai. Losing your job means leaving the country – after a 2-3 month grace period – and if the green light is never given, you’re essentially locked out. In the region, an expat is entirely beholden to their employer sponsorship. “Firms are so keen to hire locals that they’re willing to extend the recruitment process to extremes in order to find the right person.” “Candidates are becoming frustrated with the whole process and can be left hanging on for up to a year before their visa is approved, by which time they’ve either given up on the role or looking for employment elsewhere,” said one financial services recruiter in Abu Dhabi who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter. The Tawteen Council in Abu Dhabi assesses whether any job in a government could be done by an Emirati before giving the thumbs up to a visa for an expat to fulfill the role.This process can take months. Related articles: Zombie bankers in Dubai reluctantly eye a voyage home Six hot profiles for finance jobs in the Middle East How expat bankers can still succeed in Saudi The preference for local candidates is so high that firms are having to extend the recruitment process for ever-longer periods of time in order to be able to hire expat candidates. Recruiters, bankers and financial institutions are becoming increasingly exasperated with a visa allocation process that is locking some expats out of the labour market for months. Yes, a familiar situation indeed.The Middle East financial sector has traditionally been reliant on expat expertise, but a new focus on localisation – combined with concerns over the Arab Spring – has led to a visa backlog that is providing a frustrating gridlock in the recruitment processes. While we’re on the subject: did you know that, according to the City of New York, the term “gridlock” actually originated here, in reference to the grid plan that defines Manhattan’s streets? Specifically, the word describes a traffic situation in which intersections are blocked by vehicles, therefore preventing cars from moving in either direction. We even suggest walking or biking over driving your own car or grabbing an Uber or a yellow taxi. Now that you've got that list handy, make sure to add it to your calendar and opt for public modes of transportation on those actual days. As a clear indication that the holidays are finally upon us, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has just released a list of 14 “gridlock alert days” that run through the end of the year.ĭuring the highlighted dates, car traffic is expected to reach an all-time high, making it incredibly difficult to get around in a vehicle. ![]()
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