Like any country, foreigners are required to possess a visa or permit to be granted entry within its borders whether for visitation or migration, some countries more than others, especially when crossing between continents. Now frequent fliers are accustomed to these requirement traditions that’s why consulates or embassies are usually available in originating countries to provide these necessary government documents before departure. However you need to understand the difference between visas and residential permits depending on your purpose of travel, but that’s a huge topic for another day. Today we are focusing our sights on foreigners intending to relocate and work in the UAE as an expat.
PLEASE READ: 15 Things to Know about Working and Living in the UAE
Just to be clear, it is illegal to work in the UAE while under a tourist visa status, however, If you arrive in UAE and get a job within the duration of your visit, your employer will need to change your visa status before you can legally start working. Working while on a tourist visa is a serious offense that can result in both employer and ex-pat facing serious penalties of jail time or fine and deportation.
UAE Visas and Requirements
Thinking of relocating to the UAE? In this guide, we will be going over the requirements needed to acquire a residence visa and or a work permit, and what the cost might look like. Here are some of the various UAE visa types you can apply for.
- Visit visa
- Tourist visa
- Student visa
- Transit visa
- Business/Self-employment visa
- Multiple entry visa
- Residents visa
- Spouse’s visa
Though a popular destination, the UAE attempts to make the visa application and process as straightforward and less intensive than in neighboring Middle Eastern countries.
Where Can I Get Official Updated Information Regarding UAE Work Visa?
To facilitate the process of easily obtaining a work visa, MoHRE and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation have set up centers outside the UAE. At these centers, employees who intend to work in the UAE will be able to educate and familiarise themselves with their employee rights, duties and the terms and conditions for employment in the UAE and all entitlements that come with, provided in the language they understand. This mechanism is aimed at providing a transparent contractual relationship between employers and employees and preventing any fraud issues.
If you haven’t acquired a job in the UAE and want to apply for a UAE visa, you will first need an entry permit or visit visa, also called a pink card, which can be sponsored in several ways such as work, a hotel, or resident family member. Once in the UAE, ex-pats can apply for the residence visa and work permit once you land a job in the UAE.
Employer Visa Responsibility
Quite frankly, the easiest way to obtain a residence visa and or a work permit is to secure employment before arriving in the UAE. It’s common practice for UAE companies/employers to complete all visa formalities for ex-pats, including coverage of UAE visa fees, meaning employers will provide the work permit visa valid for two months for entry, once in the UAE a residence visa which includes a work permit would be processed by the employer. In many cases, employers also sponsor the visas of the employee’s immediate family member, but you can still sponsor a family member if you meet the requirements.
Employment-Based Visas or Work Permit
Getting yourself a work permit or employment visa in the UAE is fairly straightforward. The majority of ex-pats arriving in the UAE have already secured employment. This sorts out the visa process as most UAE employers are required to handle all residence visa and work permit requirements for ex-pats, including covering visa fees.
Work permits and employment visas can last anywhere from one to ten years, as the UAE has temporary, long-term and permanent residence visas. Be advised as residence visas vary, not all residence visas entitle you to a work permit. As of 21st May 2019, the UAE implemented granting of permanent residence visas to “exceptional professionals.” This includes “investors and exceptional doctors, engineers, scientists, and artists.” The visa is called the Gold Card.
What are the UAE Work Residence Visa Requirements?
Your work permit will be issued by MoHRE which is also known as a labor card, which will also be listed in your residence visa.
The most important requirement for a work visa is proof of a work contract or job offer from a company within the UAE. Documentation requirement for your work permit is also required for the residence visa, do make sure sufficient copies of the following are available.
- Application form
- UAE resident identity card (Emirates ID)
- Several passport-photographs
- Original passport plus a photocopy
- Copy of valid company card
- Valid commercial license of the company
- Medical check and health certificate
- Entry permit/visa issued by the Ministry of Labor
Health Screen / Medical Examination:
All incoming residents are required to take and pass a mandatory medical examination or health screening at a government-approved medical center within the UAE, test taken outside the UAE is considered invalid.
The medical examination will include a physical exam, chest X-ray and blood tests. These tests also check for communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, leprosy, hepatitis, and tuberculosis. Positive test results on any of these diseases will result in a denial of the residence visa and immediate deportation. A health certificate will be issued upon successful completion.
Labor Card
Labor cards are issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in the emirate state of where you are employed. It takes around ten days to receive your labor card which is valid for two years.
All forms and documents submitted including the employment contract should be written in Arabic. You will need to make three (3) copies for the Department of Labor, your employer and yourself.
Age and Nationality
Under UAE labor law, there is no age restriction when issuing work contracts, however, work permits for ex-pats who are 65 years of age and older will incur an extra 5,000 AED (USD1,360) fee valid for two years.
Israeli nationals cannot enter the UAE. Indian nationals are also advised to look closely at specifics on their visas.
How much does a UAE Work Visa Cost?
The cost of a UAE work visa largely depends on your employer/company industry and whether you are a skilled or unskilled worker (skill level.)
Skill Levels
Working in the private sector in the UAE, you will be assigned one out of five skill levels available based on your profession. These skill levels are quantified based on your academic qualification, experience, and complexity of the work involved.
Level 1: These are individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification which will need to be duly certified/attested by the UAE Embassy or consulate and also from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your home country. In some instances, particular jobs may require the certificates to be equalized by the UAE’s Ministry of Education- Higher Education Affairs. These are some of the qualified professionals that fall under this category:
- Manager
- Engineer
- Doctor
- Teacher
- Accountant
- Accounts Clerk
- Marketing Specialist
- Quantity Surveyor
- Executive Secretary
- Pharmacist
- Administration Officer
- Reservation Officer
- Safety Officer
- Public Relations Officer
- Computer Operator
- Advertising Designer
Level 2: Those who have completed their diploma in any field usually applicable in mechanical and technical industries.
Level 3: These are those with high-school or higher secondary qualifications.
- Sales Executive
- Sales Representative
- Sales Supervisor
- Site Supervisor
- Administration Clerk
- Correspondence Clerk
- Customs Clearing Clerk
- Ticketing Clerk
- Cash Desk Clerk
- Receptionist
- Cashier
- Store Keeper
- Tourist Guide
The A, B, C, and D under company category refers to the percentage of skilled/unskilled workers a company employs. (A has over 40%, skilled workers. D has less than 5%.)
| Company Category | Skilled
(Degree Certificate Required Profession) |
Unskilled
(Secondary and below level Profession) |
| 1 | 300 AED (81 USD) | 300 AED (81 USD) |
| 2-A | 500 AED (136 USD) | 1200 AED (326 USD) |
| 2-B | 1000 AED (272 USD) | 2200 AED (600 USD) |
| 2-C | 1500 AED (408 USD) | 2700 AED (735 USD) |
| 2-D | 2000 AED (544 USD) | 3553 AED (967 USD) |
| 3 | 5000 AED (1361 USD) | 5000 AED (1361 USD) |
The table above is only a breakdown of work visa costs, so in the case where your employer is not covering your visa fees, be sure to factor in a few extra costs for the medical tests, translation services, legal fees, etc. On average, a UAE visa costs around 7000 AED (1,900 USD). UAE visa requirements and regulations are subject to change without prior notice. Please refer to the official GDRFA website of the emirate state where you will be living below:
Persons with Specialized Talents
This visa is intended for individuals who are specialized in particular fields and or researchers in the fields of science, technology, art, and culture. This refers to individuals such as but not limited to doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, as well as creative individuals in the field of culture and art. The advantage of having this visa over others is that it extends to the spouse and children and is valid for 10 years. To qualify, visa applicants under any of the following categories are required to have a valid employment contract in a specialized field of priority in the UAE and complete the following conditions:
- Scientists are required to get themselves accredited by the Emirates Scientists Council or holders of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence.
- Creative individuals involved in art and culture must be accredited by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development before they can qualify for this visa.
- Inventors must obtain a patent of value for inventions, which should also be approved by the Ministry of Economy.
- Exceptional talents must have documentations by patents or scientific research published in a world-class journal.
- Executives must own or share ownership to a leading internationally recognized company or hold a high academic achievement and position.
- Doctors and specialists should possess at least any two of the following qualifications:
-
- Hold a Ph.D. from one of the world’s top-ranking 500 universities.
- Awarded a certificate of appreciation in the field of specialization.
- Largely contributed towards major scientific research in their respective field.
- Published articles or scientific books in the respective field by a distinguished publication company.
- Membership in an organization related to the field of specialization.
- A Ph.D., in addition to a 10-year professional experience in their field of study if the Ph.D. was awarded from a university not listed among the top 500.
- Specialization in a field of priority to the UAE.
Family Visas
Expats with a valid UAE residence permit can sponsor a family member into the UAE just as long as the sponsors earn a minimum wage of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. All newcomers are also required to undergo a medical examination.
Business Visa
UAE has a progressive business culture that offers business visas for entrepreneurs who will contribute to the country’s economic prosperity and growth in investments.
Mission Visa
This is a 90-day business visa usually sponsored by a company within the UAE to allow prospective investors to enter the country and work for a short time. This visa aid ex-pats who intend on attending board meetings or explore the UAE opportunities before officially relocating if the need arises.