Employment Visa
Standard UAE work visa for employees sponsored by a UAE-licensed company. 2-year validity, includes labour card, Emirates ID and right to bring family.
What Is the Employment Visa?
The UAE Employment Visa (also called Work Permit Visa or Labour Visa) is the standard residency for employees of UAE-registered companies. The employer acts as sponsor — they pay government fees and handle the application. The visa gives you a labour card (linked to your job contract), full residency rights, and the ability to bring your spouse and children to the UAE.
Employment Visa suits anyone offered a job by a UAE company, whether in a Mainland LLC, Free Zone, or government entity. Compared to Investor or Freelance visas, you don't need to own a company or pay for the visa yourself — the employer covers it. The trade-off is the visa is tied to one employer; changing jobs requires a new visa or transfer process.
Who Can Apply
- Valid job offer from a UAE-licensed company
- Signed employment contract with salary, hours, position
- Clean medical fitness test
- No prior UAE visa violations or absconding records
- Some roles require legalised education certificate (engineer, doctor, lawyer)
- Age 18+
Cost Breakdown
Government fees + Insight service fee. No hidden costs.
Estimates only. Final quote depends on dependents, urgency and current government fees. We confirm in writing within 24 hours.
Step-by-step Application
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01
Job offer + contract signed
Your prospective UAE employer issues a signed offer letter and employment contract — this triggers the visa application.
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02
Work permit application
Employer submits the work permit (labour card) request to MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources) — issued in 3-5 days.
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03
Entry permit issuance
Once work permit approved, entry permit (e-visa) issued — valid for 60 days for first UAE entry.
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04
Medical, biometrics, status change
You enter the UAE, complete medical fitness (1h), biometrics (30 min). Status changes from entry permit to employment visa.
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05
Emirates ID + visa stamping
Emirates ID (2-year) issued in 5-10 days. Visa is electronically attached to your passport. Labour contract registered with MOHRE.
What You Need to Provide
- Passport copy (6+ months validity)
- Passport-size photo with white background
- Entry permit / current UAE visa copy
- Emirates ID (if existing UAE resident)
- Medical fitness test result
- Application form signed by sponsor / self
- Signed employment contract (employer + employee)
- Job offer letter on employer letterhead
- Legalised education certificate (for some professions)
Employment Visa vs Other UAE Visas
Employment Visa — Frequently Asked Questions
By UAE labour law, the employer must pay all visa-related fees — work permit, entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, visa stamping. The employee is not legally required to contribute. If an employer asks you to pay, that's a violation of MOHRE rules.
When you resign or are terminated, the employer cancels your visa within 30 days. You have 30-180 days (depending on contract type) to find new employment or leave the UAE. Many people transfer visas to a new employer within the grace period.
Yes, if your monthly salary meets the threshold (typically AED 4,000+ for spouse, AED 6,000+ for parents). You can sponsor spouse, children under 25, and parents. Each dependent gets a visa matching your validity.
You need a "no objection" certificate from your primary employer + a part-time work permit from MOHRE. This is common for freelancers who also hold a part-time job. Without permission, second-job income violates UAE labour law.
The minimum salary for issuance varies by role and emirate — typically AED 4,000-5,000/month for unskilled, AED 5,000+ for skilled, AED 15,000+ for management. Lower salaries restrict family sponsorship. Your contract must list a salary that meets the threshold for your role category.
5-10 working days, fully online via MOHRE portal. Most employers handle the renewal 1-2 months before expiry. Medical fitness is required again on each renewal. Emirates ID renewal is bundled.
Apply for Employment Visa
