UAE Standard work visa

Foreign employees of UAE government or private-sector employers.

• Employer applies

  The employer must apply for the standard work visa.

  u.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Signed job offer

  For private-sector employment, the employer must issue an official offer conforming to MoHRE’s standard employment contract; both employer and employee must sign it and it must be registered with MoHRE before the employer applies for a work permit.

  u.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• At least 18

  A worker must be at least 18 years old for a work permit, except under the separate juvenile and student training or employment permit categories.

  u.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Valid passport

  The passport must be valid for at least six months.

  gdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Work permit approval

  For an establishment under MoHRE, issuance of the work entry visa requires MoHRE’s endorsement of the work permit.

  gdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Medical fitness

  Residence visa applicants aged 18 and above must undergo a medical test to prove they are medically fit.

  u.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Security check

  Residence visa applicants must pass a security check.

  u.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Emirates ID application

  Residence visa applicants must apply for an Emirates ID card.

  u.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Professional licence if applicable

  A worker must meet applicable legal conditions for a specialised profession or other role requiring a licence to practise.

  u.ae · checked 5 days agoSource

• Dubai work entry visa fee; the page also specifies 5% VATgdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 200 per person
• Dubai private-sector residence permit feegdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 200 per person
• Dubai residence permit Knowledge Dirhamgdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 10 per person
• Dubai residence permit Innovation Dirhamgdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 10 per person
• Dubai residence permit deliverygdrfad.gov.ae · checked 5 days agoSourceAED 20 per person
• Decision timeGDRFA Dubai publishes an expected completion time of 48 hours for the work entry visa. This is not a published end-to-end time for obtaining the residence permit.About 2 days

1. Get ready

   • Obtain and sign the job offer

     For private-sector employment, sign the employer’s official offer so it can be registered with MoHRE before the work-permit application.

     You’ll need: Official job offer

   • Check your passport

     Ensure your passport has at least six months’ validity for the work entry visa.

     You’ll need: Passport

2. Apply

   • Have the employer seek the work permit

     The private-sector employer can apply for the work permit after the signed offer has been registered with MoHRE.

     You’ll need: Signed, registered job offer

3. Visa

   • Have the employer apply for the work entry visa

     The employer applies for the visa; GDRFA Dubai lists a personal photograph and a passport copy among its requirements.

     You’ll need: Personal photograph, Passport copy

4. Travel

   • Enter the UAE on the work entry visa

     When you arrive

     The work entry visa permits a stay of 60 days from entry to complete the residence requirements.

     You’ll need: Work entry visa, Passport

5. Settle in

   • Complete the medical test

     Undergo the medical fitness test required for residence visa applicants aged 18 and above.

     You’ll need: Medical fitness result

   • Apply for an Emirates ID

     Apply for the Emirates ID card required as part of the residence process.

     You’ll need: Emirates ID application

   • Complete the residence permit process

     Complete residence issuance within 60 days of entering the UAE; the employer applies for the standard work visa.

     You’ll need: Passport, Personal photograph, Medical report, Applicable employment contract or work permit

A renewable employment residence permit, subject to the issuing authority’s conditions.

• u.ae/en/information-and-services/jobs/employment-in-the-private-secto…Official
• Issuing Residency Permiticp.gov.aeOfficial
• General provisions for the residence visa | The Official Platform of the UAE Governmentu.aeOfficial
• Visa Issuance for Foreigners linked with Job Contractgdrfad.gov.aeOfficial
• Employment of expatriates in privately held companies | The Official Platform of the UAE Governmentu.aeOfficial
• u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas…Official
• Issuing residence permits for the private sectorgdrfad.gov.aeOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.