Foreign Visa Manager

Role Overview

Visa Processing & Global Mobility Management

• Oversee end-to-end processing for foreign visas, including employment visas, business visas, residence permits, mission visas, dependents' visas, and passport/permit renewals.
• Coordinate immigration logistics for foreign hires, expatriates, executives, and international assignees.
• Audit and review all candidate and employee legal documents (educational certificates, police clearances, medical checks, attestations) before submission to prevent delays or rejections.
• Maintain a centralized tracking system for document expiry dates (visas, Emirates ID/Iqama, labor cards, passports) and ensure timely renewals.

Government Relations & Authority Liaison

• Act as the senior point of contact for relevant government ministries (e.g., MOHRE, GDRFA, ICP, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Labor Departments, and embassies).
• Draft, translate, and finalize official correspondence, letters of support, formal appeals, and government representations in fluent Arabic.
• Manage relationships with external Public Relations Officers (PROs), typing centers, legal counsels, and immigration agencies.

Regulatory Compliance & Policy Strategy

• Stay up to date with changing immigration policies, visa quotas, labor laws, and regulatory updates across primary operating regions.
• Conduct regular compliance audits of employee mobility files to ensure 100% legal adherence and avoid penalty fines or compliance notices.
• Develop, implement, and refine internal immigration policies, SLA guidelines, and mobility frameworks for the organization.

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Communication

• Lead, mentor, and supervise the internal visa processing and government relations/PRO team.
• Provide expert guidance and clear communication to internal stakeholders, HR partners, candidates, and senior leadership regarding visa timelines, bottlenecks, and costs.
• Counsel foreign employees on visa status changes, entry requirements, travel restrictions, and dependent sponsorship procedures.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, or a related field.
• 7 to 10 years of hands-on experience in global mobility, visa processing, corporate immigration, or PRO team management.
• Fluent/Native Arabic (Spoken & Written) is MANDATORY, alongside professional business English proficiency.
• Proven expertise in government online portals (e.g., Amer, Tasheel, GDRFA, ICP, Absher, Muqeem, or regional equivalents).
• Strong working knowledge of document attestation, legal apostille processes, and embassy procedures.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems, tracking tools, and MS Office (Excel, Word).

Key Competencies & Soft Skills

• Government Diplomacy & Communication: Ability to negotiate and communicate effectively in Arabic with government officials and regulatory bodies.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous oversight of official documents, legal translation accuracy, and administrative requirements.
• Problem-Solving & Agility: Strong ability to resolve complex immigration edge-cases, visa rejections, and urgent mobility requests under tight deadlines.
• Leadership & Organization: Demonstrated capability to manage cross-functional workflows, lead team members, and prioritize heavy caseloads efficiently.

Work Location

• Work Location: In person