The UAE's status as a global hub for talent means that businesses frequently hire expatriates to fill key roles. While the UAE government has streamlined the visa and work permit process, the responsibility of ensuring a new hire is qualified and trustworthy ultimately falls to the employer. A crucial step in this process is a comprehensive pre-employment background check, which goes beyond the standard legal requirements to protect your company from significant risks.

Navigating UAE Employment Laws

UAE labour law, particularly Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, requires employers to obtain a valid work permit and residence visa for foreign employees. As part of this process, the government mandates a medical fitness test to screen for communicable diseases.

While official legal background checks in the UAE primarily focus on criminal records and are often initiated by the candidate for visa purposes, they do not provide a complete picture of an applicant's professional or financial history. The law holds employers accountable for any wrongdoing committed by their staff, making a thorough vetting process a critical necessity.

Industries We Support

A thorough pre-employment screening process is particularly vital for industries that are high-risk, handle sensitive information, or have strict regulatory requirements. Conflict Advisory Group provides specialized support to a range of sectors, including:

Financial Services: Ensuring compliance and protecting against internal fraud and money laundering in a highly regulated sector.
Oil & Gas: Vetting personnel for critical infrastructure projects where security and safety are paramount.
Healthcare: Verifying the credentials and background of medical professionals to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance.
Technology: Safeguarding intellectual property and proprietary data from theft and corporate espionage.
Real Estate & Construction: Mitigating risk on large-scale projects and vetting professionals who handle high-value transactions.

Beyond the Basics: The Importance of a Deeper Dive

To mitigate the risks of hiring an unsuitable candidate, businesses in the UAE should conduct their own due diligence. This is where a specialised advisory firm like Conflict Advisory Group can help. Our services ensure you have a complete understanding of a candidate’s background, covering key areas that government checks may not.

Our pre-employment screening services for expats include:

Criminal Record Verification: We can verify a candidate's criminal history not only in the UAE but also in their country of origin and any other jurisdictions where they have resided, ensuring a clean record.
Identity and Document Verification: We confirm the authenticity of passports, IDs, and other critical documents to prevent identity fraud.
Educational and Professional Qualification Verification: We authenticate degrees, diplomas, and professional certifications to ensure the candidate possesses the skills they claim.
Employment History Verification: We confirm previous job titles, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving to identify any inconsistencies or hidden gaps.
Global Watchlist Screening: We screen candidates against international sanctions lists and regulatory watchlists to identify individuals involved in illegal activities such as terrorism financing or money laundering.
Credit History Verification: We can conduct legal checks to review a candidate's credit history, which is crucial for roles with financial responsibility and for identifying a pattern of unreliability or mismanagement.
Social Media Screening: We analyse an applicant's online footprint on social media platforms to identify any behaviours or associations that could pose a reputational or security risk to the company.

The Risk of a Bad Hire

Failing to conduct a comprehensive pre-employment check can expose your business to a variety of risks, including financial loss from internal fraud, damage to your brand's reputation, and legal penalties for regulatory non-compliance. In the UAE's competitive and highly regulated market, a single bad hire can have devastating consequences.

A proactive approach to pre-employment screening is not just about compliance; it's about making informed hiring decisions that protect your company's integrity and future success. Conflict Advisory Group provides the expertise and resources to ensure you hire the right person, the first time.

Get a quote today!

Can we help you? Contact us in confidence. We are always happy to help and give you an indication of how we may be able to assist. Please provide us with a few details and give us a brief description of your requirements.