United Arab EmiratesWork
UAE work visa and employment residence permit
Employment residence visa (work permit and residence for private, government and free-zone employees)
In short
Foreigners employed in the UAE work on a residence visa sponsored by their employer. For private-sector jobs the employer registers the job offer with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), obtains a work permit and a 60-day entry permit, and after arrival the worker completes a medical test and Emirates ID; the residence is usually valid for two years and renewable.
Apply on ICP Smart Services checked 25 October 2026
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Length of the residence permit, usually two years, renewable
- Validity
- Entry permit valid for 60 days to complete residence formalities; residence one or two years depending on the contract
- Fee
- AED 200GDRFA Dubai work entry visa fee, plus 5% VAT (AED 520 more if processed inside the UAE). UAE law requires the employer to pay the entry visa, medical test and residence costs.
- Processing time
- Entry permit about 48 hours at GDRFA; a new MOHRE work permit usually takes about five days
- Work
- Yes, for the sponsoring employer
- Family
- Residents earning AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, can sponsor spouse and children
- Path to permanent residence
- No permanent residence; high earners can move to the 5-year Green or 10-year Golden visa
- Where to apply
- Employer applies in the UAE; the worker can be abroad
How employment visas work
The UAE does not issue work visas to individuals. You first need a job offer from a UAE employer, which then applies for the work permit and residence visa on your behalf. Mainland private companies work through MOHRE; government bodies and free-zone companies use their own authority before the residence is issued by ICP or GDRFA Dubai.
The standard work visa is valid for two years for government and private-sector employees and can be renewed on the terms set by the authorities. Domestic workers use a separate visa.
Documents
Typical documents are a white-background photo, a passport copy and attested academic certificates where the job level requires them. Some regulated professions, such as doctors and nurses, also need an approval letter from the competent licensing body.
For foreign diplomas, attestation runs through the foreign ministry of the issuing country, then the UAE embassy or consulate in that country, and finally the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Required documents
Identity
- Photo with a white background
Travel
- Passport valid for at least 6 months (copy)
Work
- Job offer on the MOHRE standard form, signed by both parties
Insurance
- Medical fitness test result and health insurance (after arrival)
Supporting documents (where they apply)
Work
- Approval letter from the licensing body for regulated professions
Study
- Attested degree certificate, where the job level requires it
Who pays
UAE law requires the employer to pay for the entry visa, travel to the UAE and post-arrival requirements such as the medical test and residence permit. GDRFA Dubai lists AED 200 plus VAT for the work entry visa itself; MOHRE, Emirates ID and medical fees are charged separately to the employer.
Do not pay recruitment or visa fees to an agent who promises a job; official fees are the employer's responsibility.
Step by step
The employer issues an offer based on the standard MOHRE contract, both sides sign it, and it is registered with the ministry. MOHRE then reviews the initial work permit, whose approval allows you to enter. GDRFA Dubai issues the related entry visa once MOHRE has endorsed the permit.
The work permit is valid for 60 days. Within that period you enter, complete the medical fitness test, give biometrics for the Emirates ID and the employer finalises the labour card and residence. The signed contract must be submitted to MOHRE within 14 days of your arrival.
- Receive a job offer from a UAE employer on the MOHRE standard contract and sign it.
- Send the employer your passport copy, photo and attested certificates.
- The employer obtains the MOHRE work permit and the 60-day entry permit.
- Travel to the UAE on the entry permit.
- Complete the medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics.
- The employer submits the signed contract to MOHRE within 14 days and finalises the residence.
- Sponsor family members once your residence is issued, if you meet the salary rule.
Forms
After arrival
Complete the medical fitness test at an approved centre, give fingerprints for the Emirates ID and keep a copy of the registered contract. The Emirates ID acts as your residence record and is needed for bank accounts, rental and SIM cards.
When employment ends, the employer cancels the residence; you then have a grace period to leave or change status.
Bringing family
An employee with a salary of at least AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, can sponsor a spouse, sons under 25, unmarried daughters and children with special needs. Family visas are tied to your residence and must be cancelled if yours is cancelled.
Family members aged 18 or over must pass the medical fitness test in the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a UAE work visa myself?
No. The employer must apply for the work permit and residence visa. Without an offer, the job-seeker visit visa is the legal way to come and look for work.
How long is a UAE employment residence visa valid?
Usually two years, or one year depending on the contract, and it is renewable while you remain employed.
Who pays for the UAE work visa?
The employer. UAE law places the costs of the entry visa, medical test and residence permit on the employer.
Do I need to attest my foreign diploma for a UAE job?
If the job level requires a degree, yes. Have it certified by the foreign ministry of the issuing country, then the UAE embassy or consulate in that country, and finally the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Can I change employers in the UAE?
Yes, the new employer applies for a new work permit and residence; your previous residence is cancelled in the process.
Official sources
- u.ae: Residence visa for working in the UAE
- u.ae: Job offers and the employment process
- GDRFA Dubai: Visa issuance for foreigners linked with a job contract
- MOHRE: Issuance of a new work permit (overseas)
- u.ae: Residence visa for family members
- UAE Embassy in Ankara: FAQs (attestation)
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs – UAE Embassy in Islamabad: Attestation information
Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.
Other visa types for the United Arab Emirates
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Maximum stay: 30 or 60 days per permit; the 5-year visa allows up to 90 days per visit, extendable once by 90 days
- Family and friends visit visa Maximum stay: 30, 60 or 90 days; extensions up to 120 days in total
- Transit visa Maximum stay: 48 or 96 hours, single entry
- Medical treatment visa Maximum stay: Depends on the permit issued; healthcare-related permits can be extended to a total of 180 days
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Maximum stay: 60, 90 or 120 days
- Self-employed and freelancer visa Maximum stay: 5 years, renewable
- Investor visa Maximum stay: Golden 10 years; Green 5 years; both renewable
- Entrepreneur and start-up visa Maximum stay: 10 years, renewable while conditions are met (ICP)
Study and training
- Student visa Maximum stay: For the duration certified by the institution; renewed while enrolled
Work
- Job seeker visa Maximum stay: 60, 90 or 120 days
- Skilled worker visa Maximum stay: Green visa 5 years; Golden visa 10 years; both renewable
- Digital nomad visa Maximum stay: One year from issue, renewable
Family
- Family reunification visa Maximum stay: Tied to the sponsor's residence; issuance fee rises with each year over two
Residence
- Golden visa and residence by investment Maximum stay: 10 years, renewable while the conditions are met
- Retirement visa Maximum stay: 5 years, renewable under the same conditions