Cold water poured on flexible long-term work visas :: Khaleej Times

"The ministry adopts dynamic and flexible measures in implementing its policies, in accordance with the needs of the labour market and within the framework of regulations that guarantee quality performance," said the official. He underlined that visa transfer impacts on the ministry's strategy concerning the duration of the labourer's stay in the country.

He said that the long stay of a foreign worker in the country might have undesirable implications that may run contrary to the higher interests of the UAE.

"Some countries in the region follow an approach whereby policies are made to limit the duration of foreign workers," he explained.

I can understand why the UAE, where nationals are 1 out of 5 in the population, would be concerned with retaining the understanding that a work visa does not establish a right to permanent residence. What I do not understand is why the only solution to that concern is the current system where the employer sponsors the employee's work visa, making the employer a de facto government agent for the policing the immigrant's location in the country.