Work Visa for Companies in Dubai

Foreign nationals who wish to stay in the UAE for an extended period of time must get a Residence Visa. Furthermore, if you wish to work in the UAE, you must acquire a UAE work permit.

However, you must first find an employer wanting to recruit you and begin the process of obtaining your employment visa and work permit for the UAE.

The employment visa for Dubai, or any other emirate in the UAE, includes strict rules to ensure that workers’ rights are not violated.

UAE Work Visa Regulations

To be able to work in the UAE, both you and the firm recruiting you must meet the following
requirements:

• The person must be at least 18 years old
• The company hiring you must have a valid license.
• The company should not have any violations
• The task you undertake must be related to the nature of the organization that hired
  you.

Who is Eligible for a Work Visa in the UAE?

Any foreigner above the age of 18 who meets the qualifications stipulated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) can work in the UAE. There is no upper age limit for employment in the UAE, but companies pay a premium cost for workers over the age of 65.
Depending on their academic qualifications/skill sets, foreign workers are classified into three categories:

• Category 1: If you have a bachelor’s degree or higher
• Category 2: If you have a post-secondary diploma in any discipline, you are eligible.
• Category 3: If you have a high school diploma

What documents do I need to apply for a UAE work visa?

When applying for an employment visa in the UAE, you must provide many supporting documents, including:

• Your original passport, as well as a copy of it
• A passport-size photograph, in line with UAE requirements
• Copies of your academic credentials Your qualifications must be approved by the UAE Embassy or consulate in your country, as well as your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Medical certificate issued by a UAE government-approved health establishment.
• Documents from the firm that hired you, such as the company’s commercial license or company card

How do I obtain a Work Permit in the UAE?

Your employer is responsible for obtaining the work permit on your behalf. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) is responsible for issuing work permits in the UAE. The application procedure for a UAE work permit is as follows:

• The employer prints the work permit application from the Tas’Heel website, the Ministry of Labour’s online system.
• They provide the necessary documentation
• The Ministry evaluates their application and requests that any documents are resubmitted or any inconsistencies are corrected.
• The approval is issued by the Ministry and can be downloaded from the Ministry’s website by the employer.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Work Permit in the UAE?

The Ministry normally issues the work permit within 5 working days of receiving all of the required documentation.

How long is the validity of a UAE work permit?

When you first acquire a work permit, it is valid for 30 days and can be prolonged for another 30. This allows you to stay in the country for 60 days, during which time you and your employer must arrange for a Residence Visa, an Emirates ID, and your Labour Card.
The Residence Visa, in conjunction with the Labour Card, allows you to lawfully live and work in the UAE. UAE residence visas are provided for one, two, or three years, depending on your purpose of the trip and the UAE authorities’ discretion.

How Do I Obtain a Work Visa in the UAE?

When your UAE work permit is accepted, it also serves as an entry permit, allowing you toenter the country on the basis of employment. This permit is valid for 30 days and can be extended once, allowing you to stay for a maximum of 60 days while your employer arranges your Residence Visa. The UAE Employment Visa application process begins immediately
once you enter the country.

What is the UAE Employment Visa Application Process?

After you enter the UAE with the MoHRE approval, your employer must apply for a Residence Visa from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) of the emirate where you work.

When your application is granted, the GDRFA will stamp your passport with an Employment Visa (Residence Visa for Employment Purposes) and provide you with an Emirates ID that is valid for the same period as the visa. You will also be given a Labour Card, which shows the
authorities that you are authorized to work in the UAE.

Can You Renew Your Work Visa in the UAE?

You certainly can. All forms of UAE residence visas are valid for 1-3 years and can be renewed. Your sponsor must renew your UAE Work Visa within 30 days of its expiration date.
The procedure for renewing your UAE Work Visa is the same as it was when you first received it: your sponsor must apply at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in the relevant emirate.
However, if you are within the UAE residence visa expiry grace period, your sponsor may renew your visa after it has expired.

Obtaining a Work Visa in Dubai

Because Dubai is one of the seven emirates that comprise the UAE, the procedure for obtaining a Dubai Employment Visa is the same as it is in any other emirate. This includes the following:

You locate work in Dubai (either on a UAE Tourist Visa or through one of the UAE’s online employment portals or job fairs).
Your company applies for a Work Permit for you while you are still in your home country.
If granted, you will enter Dubai using the work permit.
Your employer arranges for you to undergo a medical exam and applies for a Residence Card for employment on your behalf at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. They must do this within 60 days, which is how long the permit is valid.
Your employer arranges for you to receive a Labour Card and Emirates ID Card

How much does a work visa in Dubai cost?

The cost of a Dubai visa is the same as it is for other UAE emirates (detailed above).
However, in most circumstances, the employer that recruited you pays the entire visa fee and work permit charges.

Dubai employment visa renewal

Your employer, who acts as your sponsor, can apply to renew your employment visa at the GDRFA in Dubai or an Amre facility on your behalf.