Exit visa!can it be denied?
Hi all,
I am planning to come and work in Doha next month.
I have a question regarding exit visas, as I can see it is more than a big deal here.....
I started my recruitment process in May, when a previous boss off mine convinced
me to join them in this new venture in Qatar, and after weeks lost in negotiating the package I am now almost ready to come. With one problem: I will need to exit the country for 2 weeks for a christening in October, when a big event is happening at this company and I will surely require to work. Of course, everything was planned for me to join in may-june and I was thinking to leave for holiday after a few months but it did not go like this.
The advice I had from my contact is that I should not talk with anybody until the week prior to my holidays(including hr) to then go, which was fine to me before I acknowledged the exit permit rules.
My questions are:
Can they deny my visa?( my flight ticket is almost 8000QAR)
If I don't like the place can I leave without a problem or can they hold me in the country for as long as they want?
I am due to receive the contract in the next few days and not sure if I want to go ahead!!!
Btw, if this help the answers, both myself and my contact will be managers (he's more senior than me) and we are working in hotels, please help!!!
Depends on your sponsor. But technically, they can keep you here and deny you exit permits for as long as you want. It's not common, but it's not unheard of.
You need to feel that you can 100% trust your employer, and if you don't, then ask yourself if you are making the right move in coming to Qatar.
Well, perhaps not. Some contracts have clauses that say you must stay at your job (no exit permit or payment) until a replacement for you is found. And some contracts stipulate that if you resign before one year you owe back expenses such as airfare and visa costs.
Mandi
Thank you guys, i got the picture now and will take your advice and be honest with them!!
One thing I am struggling to think, if I come there and do not like it will I be able to resign with the usual 1 month notice or will they have the power to keep me there longer?
Thanks for your help in advance!!!
David
Thank you guys, i got the picture now and will take your advice and be honest with them!!
One thing I am struggling to think, if I come there and do not like it will I be able to resign with the usual 1 month notice or will they have the power to keep me there longer?
Thanks for your help in advance!!!
David
Of course, your employer will have to give you an exit permit. It is very unlikely that your employer will grant you a leave in such a short notice. Obtaining a residence permit already is a lengthy process (and even slower during ramadan) Especially, do not accept any verbal promise. Labour law is not to compared to what you are used to. Be warned !
I just cannot imagine a company giving you two weeks off after only a month of work. Sorry!
Mandi
I have to agree with Mary Catherine.
Don't get on the plane and come here unless you are 100% convinced that HR will allow you to leave for your holiday.
The person recruiting you may well be just telling you a pack of lies to get you on the plane, knowing that once you are here, you can't leave without the express permission of your sponsor, and s/he doesn't give a damn about whether or not you attend a Christening.
Your sponsor may well say that your RP process won't be complete by the time of your intended leave, so if you exit the country at such an early stage the whole RP process will need to start again from scratch. Or you could be told that you can't take any leave during your probation period, or they may say that you haven't worked long enough to have accrued any leave days.
Basically in answer to your question - you can NEVER leave the country unless someone has approved your exit. And wanting to exit so soon after arriving won't be seen in a positive light by many employers.
Get it in writing now that you will be allowed to leave for the christening in October. Do not take anyone's word for it.
Make sure the letter includes the statement that your employer will fully reimburse you for any monies spent if they decide not to give you the exit permit. Specify the amounts.
Be professional. Do the right thing.
One option. Ask them for a multi exit permit when you join. However the can still contact immigration and prevent you from leaving if they so wish
Of course! Exit is at the permission of your sponsor. If they do not process an sit visa you cannot leave.
You could then take your case to the authorities and if there are no grounds to keep you they can issue exit papers but that process usually takes months.