FAQ: Student part- time work regulation -

OPERATIONAL QUESTIONS:

How it works:

1. What is Student Part-Time Employment? It’s allowing a full-time student (sponsored by and in possession of a visa issued by DCCA) to experience a work arrangement. To give the students an opportunity of an early start to their professional careers and get essential experience of and exposure to industries.

2. How does an interested student go about looking for work/registering for the scheme? Before looking for a role, students need to check their eligibility and get authorisation to look for work as per the process. The process is designed to screen applications for eligibility and fast-track the awarding of part- time work permit and make it as easy as possible for students who want to work in the creative sector.

Every candidate’s application is verified by the career manager of respective university against eligibility criteria defined in collaboration with KHDA. Candidates who receive a ‘Student Eligibility Confirmation’ can then seek part-time work opportunities directly with an employer within the creative clusters or through Career services of the university. Once they secure a work permit from the university career services they can receive an offer from a potential employer which will then need final verification.

The DIAC Student Hub will provide companies the CVs of shortlisted candidates to the employer as per the process.

For full information click here.

3. Where exactly will these jobs be available? In what particular sectors are they available?

The eligible businesses are located within DCCA’s 9 clusters which are: Internet City, Dubai Outsource City, , , , , Dubai International Academic City, , and Dubai Design District (d3).

The sectors included in these clusters are: ICT, Outsourcing, Media & Entertainment, Human Capital Development, Higher Education, Life Sciences, Energy & Environment, and Design industries

4. Which universities are involved in the scheme?

Universities licensed by DCCA and approved by KHDA are included in this regulation. Click on the link for a complete list. http://www.diacedu.ae/community/academic-partners/

5. What are the benefits of the scheme to students and to employers?

There are untold benefits to undertaking work while at university for students and employers alike. Some of the many reasons are below.

This regulation benefits students because it: o Gives students an early start to their professional careers. o Enriches studies and helps them get real-world experience, creates link between industry and the higher education sector o Allows students to begin networking with others forming professional relationships at an early stage o Increases chances of full-time employment after graduation

This regulation benefits companies because it: o Gives employers access to young, enthusiastic, bright and creative talent o Allows SMEs to gain special benefits from this initiative as the presence of young, enthusiastic people on board will aid their short-term projects o Serves as an excellent avenue for businesses within our clusters to tap into fresh talent.

6. Will the part-time job lead to a full time permanent role in the future?

The purpose of this regulation is to enable eligible university students studying in Dubai to secure part-time employment with businesses operating within any of DCCA's 9 industry clusters. While there are no guarantees that the part-time employment will lead to a full time role within the same company, the experience gained is invaluable and will increase chances of full-time employment upon graduation.

7. Do the students get to choose out of any of the jobs or will they just be placed somewhere? Or do they have to arrange it themselves?

Students have a choice of applying to over 4500 businesses located within DCCA’s creative clusters among those companies interested in taking part (based on the availability of vacancies). The job search process is autonomously undertaken by the student, mimicking the type of job search they will eventually have to undertake upon graduation.

The university career services departments ensures solely to assist the students with the paperwork and visa approval process.

8. How many jobs can students apply for? Can a student have several part-time jobs at one time?

While the number of applications sent by a student is technically unlimited, a student may only be employed by one employer at one time.

9. Which companies are part of the programme? The 4500 business located within DCCA’s 9 clusters are included within this regulation. The clusters are: , Dubai Outsource City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Science Park or Dubai Design District, d3

10. Can my company join the programme? Are there plans to extend it to other authorities in the UAE? At this time, the regulation only applies to companies located within DCCA’s 9 creative clusters. If you are a DCCA business partner, this regulation automatically enables you to hire students part- time subject to a DCCA NOC.

11. Will the part-time jobs be associated with the students’ course or career plan?

Given that this regulation enables students to autonomously seek out potential employment, students can select from over 4500 companies to find a job that best suits their needs.

12. Will DCCA help students find jobs? DCCA is the regulatory body mandated to implement the necessary infrastructure to foster the economic development of Dubai's creative clusters and related knowledge industries. The actual day-to-day implementation is of the responsibility of the universities, who can chose to set up programmes that help students find jobs.

13. Won’t part-time work have a negative effect on school success? Studies have shown that part-time work has many benefits for students. It helps instil responsible behaviour and strong time-management skills. It also allows students to get a head start XXX. Universities will of course be providing support programmes as part of the application process.

14. Are students enrolled in online programmes eligible for the part-time work visa? In order to be eligible, the student needs to be studying full time at undergraduate or graduate levels in higher education institutions licensed by the DCCA. Please contact your university for more information.

Permit Process

15. Will universities be rearranging schedules to make access easier?

As the regulatory body mandated to implement the necessary infrastructure to foster the economic development of Dubai's creative clusters and related knowledge industries, DCCA has set-up the necessary legal framework to enable this regulation. The universities are free to adopt changes internally that will accommodate the needs of students who chose to work. Please contact your respective university for more details.

16. Who can participate in this?

Students enrolled in universities licensed by DCCA and approved by KHDA at Dubai International Academic City and Knowledge Park. For details regarding eligibility, click here. Full list of universities here: http://www.diacedu.ae/community/academic-partners/

17. How long will the permit process take?

The request can be applied online through AXS portal. Please refer to AXS portal and KHDA for clear timeline

18. Is it open for all nationalities?

Yes. This regulation enables students from all nationalities enrolled in universities licensed by DCCA and approved by KHDA to seek out part-time employment.

19. Will I lose my work permit if I am no longer a student?

The part-time student work permit is only available to students studying with a DCCA licensed higher education institute. If you are no longer a student, this part-time work permit will no longer be valid.

20. If I want to quit my job, will this affect my student visa?

No. As a student sponsored by DCCA you are not obligated to secure employment. Therefore, if you are no longer employed this will not affect your status as a student.

21. What are the entry/application requirements? For a full list of application requirements please click here. http://dcca.gov.ae/en/earn-while-you-learn/earn/students/

22. Do I need to maintain grades to remain eligible? Students have to maintain a certain GPA as defined by their higher education institution and as approved by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority KHDA .

23. What are the costs associated with obtaining the part-time student work permit? The part-time student work visa permit will be free of charge for all student, institute and employer

24. What is the permit process like for a non-resident student who is coming from out of the country? If you are an international student looking to study in Dubai, please click here for a complete list of requirements. http://dcca.gov.ae/en/earn-while-you-learn/earn/students/

25. What is the permit process like for students who are currently in Dubai under a parent’s visa? Only a student whose resident visa is sponsored by the institute with the visa issued by DCCA is eligible for this regulation.

Work conditions

26. What will the salary be? Will DCCA enforce a minimum wage?

Just to clarify that the part-time work arrangement differs than the full-time employment and as such the individual in this case is full-time student and enforcing minimum wage is not applicable. The salary for a given job will be determined between the employer and the employee before the start date of employment. Normal laws and employment protections will be applied and enforced through a contract between both parties, in accordance with the eligibility confirmation by the Institute

27. How many hours will students be expected to work? The expected number of hours will be determined between the employer and the employee before the start date of employment period, in accordance with the eligibility confirmation by the Institute.

28. Will I be protected by labour law/rights/etc. like other employees? Yes

29. Will the students be given time off during exam periods? Time-off requests should be discussed between employer and employee. To ensure that students are given the necessary days off, students should present their examination dates to employer as soon as these become available to them.

30. Do work contracts follow the school calendar?( i.e start in September and end in June) Contracts will begin and end according to agreed terms between employer and employee and do not necessarily have to follow the school calendar.

31. Does Student need any labor cards or any documentation in place? If yes, how much, duration and from where to obtain? Students shall hold the ID card at all time. No special card will be issued for the Student Part-Time Employment. However, electronic permit will be emailed to the students.

32. Do they need to put any employment offer/contract in place before they start? If yes, who will attest this contract? There is a minimum terms & conditions set by the Authority. The Employer and the student are free to negotiate and agree on the terms and conditions of the work provided that they do not violate and without conflict with the student eligibility confirmation by the Institute and shall meet the minimum requirement of the relevant laws and regulations.

33. What is the maximum number of students for one company? The Authority may, in its absolute discretion, determine or limit the number of Students an Employer engages with respect to Part-Time Employment (including with respect to persons per square foot of office space)