Changing jobs over here - things to watch out for?
Discussion
If I were at some stage in the future to be considering leaving a job in a FreeZone over here for one in Abu Dhabi, (the sort of job which I'm guessing is unlikely want me in the office every day and wouldn't force me to have to move there), what do I need to look out for in terms of the process? All perfectly hypothetical at this stage of course, but I can foresee the current outfit being more than a little annoyed at the prospect of one of their most senior people moving to the firm that would be the their biggest rival. In essence, if its possible to f
k it up or make it as difficult as possible, I think they will.
The rough plan, (were this to happen) would be to take the balance of leave due at the end of the contract as gardening leave, then possibly a couple more weeks and reappear to work somewhere else, (and presumably go through the whole visa process again).. What will make life tedious would be loosing my bank account and credit card, e-gate being cancelled etc etc. just at the time this happens, particularly as I've the second cheque for rental that will need to be cashed in the middle of this. I'd be particularly keen to not get arrested for a bounced cheque as I come back into the country..
I'm sure this happens all the time, but I've heard horror stories and as I said, I am not expecting this to go smoothly if it can be made difficult..
k it up or make it as difficult as possible, I think they will.The rough plan, (were this to happen) would be to take the balance of leave due at the end of the contract as gardening leave, then possibly a couple more weeks and reappear to work somewhere else, (and presumably go through the whole visa process again).. What will make life tedious would be loosing my bank account and credit card, e-gate being cancelled etc etc. just at the time this happens, particularly as I've the second cheque for rental that will need to be cashed in the middle of this. I'd be particularly keen to not get arrested for a bounced cheque as I come back into the country..
I'm sure this happens all the time, but I've heard horror stories and as I said, I am not expecting this to go smoothly if it can be made difficult..
Depending on how useless your bank is, nothing may happen to your account or credit card. However, some banks will freeze your accounts as soon as they receive a 'final pay' notice from your old employer.
Mine (HSBC) didn't, and I've been using my account without any problems for 2+ years without a 'valid' visa associated to it - and 6+ months using the accounts whilst on a visit visa. This is mainly due to the credit cards being handled by an external department of the bank. If you have any loans on your account, it's hugely likely you'll get a freeze put on the account.
Companies within freezones can't apply blocks against former employees joining rival companies even within the same freezone, let alone in Abu Dhabi.
To avoid the bounced cheque issue I'd speak to the letting agent and ask for the cheque to be returned and you pay cash instead. If you can hold out until the cheque's been cashed before dropping your leave notice, all the better.
As mentioned, if you have loans on your account you're going to face problems. Otherwise withdraw most of your cash before making the move just in case the account's blocked.
If you want to transfer from one job to another you'll need an NOC from the freezone (not your employer, though your employer will need to request it) to do the transfer. It might be easier to cancel and reapply, but as said, this could cause problems.
Mine (HSBC) didn't, and I've been using my account without any problems for 2+ years without a 'valid' visa associated to it - and 6+ months using the accounts whilst on a visit visa. This is mainly due to the credit cards being handled by an external department of the bank. If you have any loans on your account, it's hugely likely you'll get a freeze put on the account.
Companies within freezones can't apply blocks against former employees joining rival companies even within the same freezone, let alone in Abu Dhabi.
To avoid the bounced cheque issue I'd speak to the letting agent and ask for the cheque to be returned and you pay cash instead. If you can hold out until the cheque's been cashed before dropping your leave notice, all the better.
As mentioned, if you have loans on your account you're going to face problems. Otherwise withdraw most of your cash before making the move just in case the account's blocked.
If you want to transfer from one job to another you'll need an NOC from the freezone (not your employer, though your employer will need to request it) to do the transfer. It might be easier to cancel and reapply, but as said, this could cause problems.
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