Have you decided to work in the United Arab Emirates? From contemplating job availability in Dubai and multiple emirates to exploring the boundless possibilities, you need an idea of how UAE employment visas work. This ultimate guide will provide you with everything that it takes to get, hold, and cancel an employment visa in the UAE.
Employment Visas: The UAE and Its Mechanism
But before we get down to the nitty-gritty, let’s cover what UAE employment visas are. This is how the saying goes when it comes to working UAE Employment Visas: these permits are your visas that allow you to not only enter and exit Dubai (and other emirates, including Abu Dhabi), but also legally work while here.
Types of Employment Visas
There are several types of employment visas on offer in the UAE; these include:
- Normal work visa (2–3 years)
- Mission work visa (90 days)
- Casual temporary work visa (up to 6 months)
Every type has different work arrangements catered to, so it’s very important to choose well based on what suits you.
The UAE Employment Visa Process: Step by Step
It may seem like a daunting task to secure employment in the UAE, but it is not that difficult. It can be broken down as follows:
Initial Approval
The Beginning: Your employer processes begin with your employer. The approval of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) is mandatory for the same. Approvals like these are required to ensure that the eligible employer can hire employees from abroad. An employer signs a job offer contract that you will need to sign.
Required Documents:
- Your passport (valid for at least the next six months) A copy of your passport
- Passport-size photographs
- Duly attested educational certificates
- Job offer contract
Approval Timeline: This step can take a few days to two weeks, as per the compliance with MOHRE by your employer.
Medical Examination
Objective: An obligatory medical test to get someone certified to be in good health and have no communicable disease.
Process:
- Get your fitness test from an approved medical
- A physical examination, blood test, and chest X-ray are usually done to deploy the tests: HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis B/Tuberculosis/Syphilis.
Required Documents:
- A copy of your initial approval
- Passport
- Passport-size photographs
Timeline: Results are usually available within a few days. If you pass the examination, you can proceed to the next step.
Emirates ID Registration
Purpose:The Emirates ID is a government-issued identification card that you need for all legal and administrative matters in the UAE.
Process:
- Go to an Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA)
- Your fingerprints and photograph will be captured as
- Give in the registration
Required Documents:
- Passport
- Entry permit
- Medical test results
Schedule: The Emirates ID card is generally distributed in 7 days. They will inform us when it is ready for pickup.
Visa Stamping
Objective: This is the last phase that legitimizes your visa, and finally you are able to settle down in the UAE, operate, and stay using their work permits, a requirement for any employee.
Process:
- Submit your passport, along with the required documents, to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in your
- The GDRFA will stamp your passport with the residence
Required Documents:
- Passport
- Entry permit
- Medical test results
- Get the email of Emirates ID registration
- Passport-size photographs
Time: It normally takes a few days to a week for the visa stamping process. After stamping the passport, you become a resident of the UAE, and residents are allowed to live outside on their own.
Additional Considerations
- Dependents: If you intend to bring your family members, they must also apply for their
- Renewal: UAE Employment Visas are generally for 2 or 3 years and need to be renewed after that time by going through a similar
If you have all of this and follow these three steps, getting a UAE employment visa can be very easy.
How does it differ from your run-of-the-mill Dubai employment visa?
Since Dubai is the glitzy place it is, there are a few oddities you may encounter with an employment visa. Here’s what you need to know:
- Free zone vs. mainland: The advantages of a Dubai free zone visa over a mainland visa are attributed to the various perks that many free zones offer, including 100% foreign ownership options for investors who chose this
- Dubai is known to be fast and efficient when it comes to processing; therefore, they often process these UAE Employment Visas faster than other emirates of the
- Bespoke visas: Dubai provides bespokeUAE Employment Visas such as the culture visa for creatives and the golden visa for exceptional
Cost of Employment Visas in the UAE
Now, let’s talk about money. Employment visa in the UAE: How much it costs The price of obtaining employment visas can be different, so here are just some approximate numbers.
- Entry permit fee
- Change status fee
- Stamping fee
- Medical test fee
Bold fact: The total cost can range from AED 3,000 to AED 7,000, depending on various factors.
Dubai 2-Year Employment Visa Game Changer
Before the launch of this 2-year employment visa, Dubai announced to get and keep talent. Here’s why it’s making waves:
- Stable for a longer duration: 2 years of consistent work without worrying much about the visa
- Of price: Though the primary funding is higher, their long-term determent of operating
- High appeal to employers: business is more likely to pay for longer-term
Cost of a 2-Year Employment Visa in Dubai
Prices may vary, though generally you can expect to pay something in the range of 5000–9000 AED for a visa that is valid for two years. It is a little more expensive than the regular visa, but it generally pays off in terms of benefits for some users.
The Perfect Pro Guide to Getting Your Dream Job in Dubai
Want to avoid headaches? Follow these tips:
- NOTE: Prepare all your documents on LDoS and get them
- Keep in contact with your company’s
- Begin from your visa will be confirmed
- Be patient – good things take time!
Conclusion
The UAE employment visa maze comes with the information and preparation you need. From the standard visa to the new 2-year option in Dubai, get a grip on the costs and process required ahead of your inaugural day at work upon landing UAE shores.
FAQ’s
How many days in the gulf are employer visas issued?
It usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete, though sometimes it happens much faster or slower depending on a variety of factors.
Can I change jobs on my current employment visa?
This is possible, but you have to follow a few steps, and there might be an NOC from your current employer.
What if my work visa application is declined?
If you addressed the reason for rejection, then it may be possible to apply again, or if there is another visa that fits your situation better (and in which this scenario would have been approved).
What are the nationality restrictions on UAE employment visas?
Although there are no specific restrictions, different references will be needed under the passport, race or nation of which the candidate is a citizen.
How is the Golden Visa different from a run-of-the mill employment visa?
The Golden Visa gives a permit for long-term residence (5–10 years), and it doesn’t need any sponsorship, as per employment visas.
Conclusion
The UAE employment visa maze comes with the information and preparation you need. From the standard visa to the new 2-year option in Dubai, get a grip on the costs and process required ahead of your inaugural day at work upon landing UAE shores.
Call to Action
Begin your UAE job search today! Don’t go it alone! For detailed assistance, contact a visa service provider or feel free to reach the HR department of your prospective employer. Remember to keep abreast of current visa laws because, much like Dubai’s skyline, they can change overnight!