Dubai is one of the most popular destinations for professionals, job seekers as well as skilled workers around the world. There are various opportunities available in different industries which include healthcare, finance, IT, logistics, retail, real estate, hospitality, constructions etc. In fact, thousands of workers shift to Dubai for the employment opportunity every year.
However, before starting a job in Dubai, foreigners must have appropriate Dubai work visa. This visa gives you work permit as well as resident status. You need to know that Dubai work visa is connected with employment and your employer will play an important role in completing the work permit process.
In this guide, you will learn detailed information about Dubai work visa, its requirements, documentations, validity, employer responsibilities etc. It is extremely essential for the jobseekers to know complete details about it.
What is a Dubai Work Visa?
You need to know that Dubai work visa is a permit which allows the foreigners to reside in Dubai for employment. Generally, the employers sponsor the employees and handles all the relevant work permit and visa procedures.
According to Dubai’s General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), a work entry visa linked to a job contract which allows the foreigners to love in UAE for 60 days from entry and complete the requirements for obtaining residence.
Workers should understand that work visa and work permit are related to each other but they are not same. The work permit authorizes employment but the residence permit will allow you to reside in UAE legally.
Who can apply for Dubai Work Visa?
Dubai work visa is given to the foreign nationals who have obtain employment with an eligible organization in Dubai. The employees can obtain a standard employment visa through their employer.
Mainly, employer will submit the application and act as a sponsor for the employ who has got job in Dubai. According to GDFRA, the residence visa will be applied by the employer for the person who is going to be employed in Dubai.
However, the exact procedure will quite differ depending on the employer:
- A private sector company
- A government organization
- A semi-government organization
- A free-zone company
- A domestic worker employer
You need to know that different categories can have different procedures as well as requirements.
What are the Requirements for a Dubai Work Visa?
For a Dubai work visa, the exact requirement depends on the job title, nationality, visa category, employer etc. However, the common requirements are mentioned below:
- A valid passport
- Passport size recent photograph
- Valid job letter from the employer
- Approved work permit
- Medical fitness certificate
- Relevant documents related to education or profession
- Required documents by the authorities
For work entry visa, you must submit passport copy with at least six months validity as well as a photograph. Actually, employment related process requires approval by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) for establishment under its jurisdiction.
What is the Process of Dubai Work Visa?
The process of Dubai work visa only begins when any foreigner gets a job offer from the Dubai based employer. The basic steps are mentioned below:
Step 1: Receive a Job Offer
If you want to work in Dubai then firstly, you need to find a legitimate employer who will provide you an employment offer. Before accepting the job, you should try to check the job title, salary, benefits, terms and conditions etc.
Step 2: Employer will apply for work permit
Once your job will final, the employer will begin the work permit process with the relevant UAE authorities.
For the private sector employees, MOHRE will be involved in the work permit process. It is essential to have a work permit before any worker starts to work legally in Dubai.
Step 3: Work Entry Visa is Issued
After approval, the employee will receive the work entry visa in Dubai. It will give the permission to enter the UAE and complete the procedures for obtaining residency. According to GDFRA, the work entry visa provides 60 days period from entry in order to complete the residence requirements.
Step 4: Medical Fitness Examination
For a residence process, workers should complete an approved medical examination. It is necessary for people above the age of 18. For the private sector workers, it is essential to have a approved medical examination for issuing the residence permits.
Step 5: Residence Permit
Once you passed in medical examination and complete all the required procedure then you will receive the appropriate residence permit. GDFRA states that the standard residence permit is valid for two years and should be renewed under the applicable conditions.
How Long Dubai Work Visa is Valid?
You need to know that the validity depends on the employment type as well as residence permits. Generally for standard private sector employment, the residence permit is valid for two years which is renewable for similar periods.
However, other employment residence options may have different validity periods. You can check the official site for more details.
UAE also provides Green Residence visa for skilled workers. A Green Residence is available for highly skilled workers which can be issued for five years. In this visa, workers will have a traditional employer sponsored residence arrangements. It is only provided when relevant conditions are met.
What is the Dubai Job Exploration Visa?
There are many foreigners across the world who wants to work in Dubai for their career growth and opportunities. In such a case, people have to explore jobs in Dubai after visiting. You need to know that if you want to visit Dubai for employment opportunities then you should have Visit Visa. It does not require a host or guarantor in UAE. The requirements of Visit visa are mentioned below:
- Valid passport for at least six months
- University degree
- Eligibility conditions related to professional classification.
Be clear that Visit visa does not give you permission to start working in Dubai. If you get the job from any company then you will have to apply for work visa.
How much Dubai Work Visa Costs?
There is no fixed amount for issuing of Dubai work visa. The total costs can depend on different factors which are given below:
- Work permit category
- Employment sector
- Classification of the employer
- Visa type you are applying for
- Medical Examination
- Residence permit
- Emirates ID
- Service charges
- Government charges
According to GDFRA, employees have to pay AED 200 for work visa plus 5% VAT charges. However, additional charges can also apply under different circumstances.
You should know that fees and charges can change at any time at different stages. So, applicants can verify the current amount from the official authority or their employer rather than trusting on anyone.
What is a Green Visa in Dubai?
Dubai Green Visa is yet another option which is available for workers and professionals. It provides the eligibility with longer term residence in Dubai without the traditional employer sponsored arrangements. It is mainly given to a high skilled workers for five years and can be renewed if the conditions met.
According to GDFRA, for Green visa, a high skilled workers must have:
- A valid UAE work permit
- At least bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Monthly salary of AED 15,000
- Classification within the approved skilled worker categories
Dubai Green Visa is particularly given to a qualified professionals who met with the eligibility requirements of the UAE.
Can you Change Jobs with Dubai Work Visa?
Changing jobs in Dubai is possible but employees should follow the UAE employment and immigration procedures. You are not allowed to simply change the job and start working at different organization. It is essential to get the work permit from the new employer. The residence sponsorship also need to changed or cancelled depending on the circumstances.
It is suggested to the workers to complete the correct procedure with MOHRE, GDFRA or other free zone authority before changing the employer or job. Without getting approval from the new employer can cause serious troubles on the workers.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can you work in Dubai on a Tourist Visa?
A: No, a tourist visa does not give permission to work in Dubai. It can result in penalties and legal consequences for employee as well as employers.
Q: How long does it take to get a Dubai work visa?
A: However, the processing time depends on visa category, employer, approval, medical examination etc. According to DFRA, you should expect 48 hours for several visa and residence services are permitted only after when it is submitted properly and approved.
Q: Can I bring my family after getting work visa?
A: Only eligible UAE residents may be sponsor the qualifying family members which is subject to the applicable requirements. The condition also depends on the resident’s status, salary, relationship etc.
Q: Can I work for two companies in Dubai?
A: This basically depends on the type of employment arrangements and work permit involved. Before taking additional employment, you need to obtain the appropriate authorization.
Q: Is Dubai work visa same as the residence visa?
A: No, Dubai work visa is not same as the residence visa. Work visa permits employment whereas the residence visa provides legal permission to stay in UAE. They are connected but not same.
Final Thoughts:
A Dubai work visa is extremely important for a foreigner who want to work in Dubai. To obtain the visa, your employer will play a crucial role in applying which gives work permit, entry visa as well as residence permit.
This process begins only after receiving the job letter from the authorized company. For the residence visa, you also need to complete a medical fitness examination which will give you residence permit.
Because UAE immigration and employment regulations can change, job seekers should always verify the latest requirements, fees, and procedures with official government authorities before making travel or employment decisions.
For anyone planning to build a career in Dubai, understanding the work visa process is one of the most important steps before starting a new job in the city.