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Have you ever thought about how it would be to move to Dubai for work? Ever dreamed of being employed in “the city of gold”? Well, that is an absolutely winning choice. With a Dubai work visa you can take your career to next level in this vibrant city!
Dubai is a future-oriented and the wealthiest city in the Middle East and to work here means choosing prosperity and quickly climbing the stairs of success. The economy here is rising at a fast pace with all sectors and industries growing exponentially, creating huge job opportunities for those interested. Whether it is finance, construction, tech, education, or any other industry, you will find foreign workers (skilled and unskilled) everywhere, contributing to Dubai’s growing economy and competitiveness. However, to work and stay in the UAE lawfully, you will need to secure a work visa, also known as an employment visa.
Dubai work visas have legal requirements of their own that need to be understood. As there are different types of Dubai work visas, understanding them can be confusing. That is why, we have made everything simple to understand so that no doubt remains. Whether you are a job seeker, a foreign company looking to hire in the UAE, or a freelancer, we will walk you through the process of getting a work visa in Dubai, along with its types, requirements, and Dubai work visa price.
A Dubai work visa, also known as employment visa, is a document that allows a foreigner to work and stay in UAE lawfully for the specified timeframe. This visa acts as residence visa for its holders as they do not need any other visa to live in Dubai then. Work visa looks like a pink sticker placed on the passport for holder.
Before going further into the discussion, let us first understand the difference between a work permit and a work visa.
A work permit in Dubai, also known as a labour card, is a document that proves its holder is allowed to work in the city. It is more related to employment. To simplify, think of it as a work ID that contains all the job details of the holder. It is issued by Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE).
On the other hand, a work visa is a residence visa that allows the foreigner to enter and stay in the UAE for employment purposes. It is more related to immigration and is issued by General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affair (GDRFA).
Remember, to work and live legally in Dubai, foreign nationals must have both a work visa and a work permit.
So basically, there are three major types of Dubai work visas that the UAE government currently offers. The one you may need depends on your needs and situation:
This is a regular employment visa that is usually valid for 2 to 3 years. The employer sponsors this visa, which allows the employee to stay and work in the city legally for a specified period. This is the most common type and is suitable for individuals working in government or private sectors as employees. Upon expiry, the employer renews or cancels the visa.
To get that visa, you need to have an employment contract and approval from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization. Luckily, for this type of visa, your employer will assume the responsibility of navigating most administrative tasks, acquiring your work entry permit, residency visa, Emirates ID as well and paying the fees. Before coming to Dubai on standard work visa, you will have to formally accept the job offer. Then you will get an entry permit, which will allow you to enter the nation. Once you enter, you can complete your work visa processes.
The UAE green visa is suitable for skilled employees and freelancers and allows the holder to sponsor himself/herself for a period of 5 years which is renewable for same period upon expiry. That means you do not need a UAE national or employer to sponsor your visa. Here are the requirements for green visa in Dubai:
It is a 10-year long residency visa offered by the UAE government to those with outstanding skills and talents. Doctors, scientists, athletes, inventors, Ph.D. holders, and others can apply for this visa, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. It allows you to work and stay in Dubai for 10 years without the need for a local sponsor and provides some exciting benefits:
Read more here: Dubai golden visa guide 2024
All the employment laws and standards set by MOHRE must be diligently met by both the employee and the employer. Here are the Dubai work visa requirements that foreign nationals and the companies hiring them must fulfil:
For the green and golden visas, foreign nationals can go for Dubai work visa online apply through the GDRFA website or directly at Amer centers. However, for the standard work visa, the employer must handle the visa application, including the labour card application and document submission. Here is the general process of getting a Dubai work visa:
The first important step is securing a job. Without a job offer letter, you cannot apply for your work visa and permit in Dubai. Therefore, individuals intending to come to Dubai for work must first secure a job offer from a UAE-based employer. This includes properly signing an employment contract that contains essential details about the job, as well as the employee’s and employer’s information, remuneration, job scope, and other essentials. This contract must be available in three languages: Arabic, English, and the employee’s native language.
Next, employer applies for employment visa quota approval from the Ministry of Labor. Essentially, there are quotas that limit the number of expatriate workers companies can hire. There are minimum office space requirements for the number of visas that can be applied for. For example, for a quota of one visa, the employer should have at least nine square meters of office space.
After receiving the visa quota approval, the employer can initiate the application process for the work permit. The process involves gathering and submitting all essential documents, such as the employee’s passport, photographs, medical fitness certificate, and attested educational certificates. The employer will submit the work permit application to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or the relevant free zone authority on the employee’s behalf. The government will check if the sponsor is a licensed and recognized business entity, among other requirements. If yes, a pre-approval will be granted which means employer can proceed further with the process. This step is essential for securing employee’s legal entry into the country.
After the application for work permit is approved, an entry permit will be issued to the employee, allowing them to enter the UAE to complete the work permit and work visa related procedures. For standard work visas and green visas, the validity of the entry visa is 2 months. For the golden visa, it is 6 months with multiple entries.
Upon arrival in the UAE, the employee will need to complete the work visa formalities:
With all the visas and permits in hand, the employee can officially start working in UAE legally. Does the process seem complex? Then, do not hesitate to reach out to us. Dubiz Business Setup will ensure that all you focus is on making your dream career in UAE, while we will handle all the legal procedures, requirements and formalities.
While the specific requirements may vary depending on the category of work visa (such as the golden visa, green visa, or regular work visa) you are applying for, here are the general documents you will need to obtain a work visa in Dubai:
Please note that for a standard work visa, it is solely the employer’s responsibility to handle the work visa application process, including its costs and documentation.
The Dubai work visa price for government, semi-government, private sector employees typically is around AED 200, plus a VAT of 5%. If the sponsored person is inside the country, then there will be additional charges and visa fees will be AED 500. (as per GDRFA’s site)
The fees of UAE work permit are as follows:
Please check out the work permit fees here: Cost of UAE work permits
The classification shows how well the companies follow UAE labour law. For example, companies with a history of breaking rules will be placed in category C.
Please note that these are government fees and are subject to changes, you can contact our Dubiz Business Setup experts to know more about the exact costs.
Coming to Dubai for a job is like a dream come true, where you get so many opportunities. However, you must remember that to legally work in the UAE, you need a work permit as well as a Dubai work visa. We understand that the process can be quite confusing, which is why Dubiz presents an exclusive service that takes care of obtaining and renewing these from start to finish.
Our experts handle everything for you—from obtaining initial approval for the work permit to getting the entry visa, Emirates ID, medicals, and residency application—so that you do not have to worry about a thing.
We specialize in business setup in Dubai and deliver the most reliable and affordable company formation services in the UAE. Whether it is a free zone visa in Dubai, a business visa, a maid visa, a freelance visa Dubai, or any other type, we have got you covered. Besides that, we can also guide with UAE visa renewal, modifications and cancellations.
Explore our suite of business services in Dubai today.
Contact or WhatsApp us at +971 562986853
You can also drop an email at info@dubiz.co for any inquiries.
Also known as virtual work visa, remote work visa Dubai is a residence permit that allows foreign nationals to work remotely in Dubai for up to one year under self-sponsorship.
What is needed:
The validity of a standard work visa in UAE is 2 years. However, it can vary with the specific category you are applying for. A green visa will have a validity of 5 years, whereas a golden visa has a validity of 10 years.
The validity of a work permit in Dubai is typically 2 years, which can vary with the category you are applying.
Tawjeeh training is a mandatory training and education program meant for unskilled labourers applying for a work visa in the UAE. It educates them about UAE labour laws, their rights, and their duties.
Upon submission of all the documents, you can expect the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) to issue the work permit within 2 days.
The processing time for a Dubai work visa typically ranges between 7 to 10 working days, depending on factors like the company sponsoring the visa, the type of visa applied for, and the accuracy of the submitted documents. In some cases, the processing may take longer due to additional approvals or document verification.
Employers can cancel an employee’s work permit. They can even do this online through the MoHRE app or website. There will be cancellation fees, and submission of cancellation forms and some documents will be required. The process typically takes around 2 working days.
If any employer makes visit visa holders work in UAE by guaranteeing them a job offer with intention of fraud, he/she will face a fine of AED 100,000 to AED 1 million.
The employer must initiate the process by applying for the cancellation of the employment contract and work permit/labour card through MOHRE. This cancellation takes around 2 business days.
The employer can initiate the process of renewing the work permit through MoHRE or a Tasheel center 60 days prior to the expiry date. This involves submitting a renewal application form, along with updated documents such as the passport, passport photo, current work permit, and paying the necessary fees. Once the application is reviewed and approved, a renewed labour card will be issued.
