The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as one of the finest places for expats looking for greater job opportunities and a higher standard of living. With its vital area, business-friendly atmosphere and tax-free pay rates, the UAE attracts bright experts from all over the world.
However, you’ll be permitted to work and reside legally in the UAE as of recently therefore you’ll need to obtain the right visa. With improvements to UAE immigration regulations visa application preparation may become clearer.
This thorough guide covers all you need to know about obtaining an employment visa in the UAE in 2024, including visa types, qualification criteria, application handling, visa status checks and cancellation and renewal procedures.
What is a Work Visa in the UAE?
Individuals and businesses can lawfully work or establish businesses in the United Arab Emirates with a UAE Work Visa. Depending on the sort of job, the visa’s duration can vary it usually lasts two years or longer. This crucial document guarantees adherence to UAE rules for individuals residing and employed in the nation.
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UAE Visa Categories for Workers:
In the UAE there are three main categories of work visas:
Standard Work Visa:
This is the most popular type of work visa backed by a manager in the private sector, government sector, or free zone. Key Features:
- Valid for 2 years.
- Renewable
- Sponsored by an employer.
- Allows reps to work for only the supporting manager.
Green Visa:
The Green Visa, which was introduced in 2022, is aimed for talented experts, consultants, speculators, and business owners. Key benefits:
- 5-year validity.
- No support or boss is required.
- Renewable under the same terms.
- Increased versatility in job and residency.
The qualification criteria change for distinct categories:
Freelancers/Self-Employed:
- Proof of outsourcing permit.
- Bachelor’s degree or specialized diploma.
- Minimum annual salary of AED 360,000 over the previous two years.
Skilled Employees:
- Minimum monthly compensation of AED 15,000.
- Classified as expertise level 01, 02, or 03.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
Brilliant Visa:
Certain high-net-worth individuals can obtain long-term residency without assistance through the Brilliant Visa, which lasts ten years. The qualifying requirements include:
- Investors with AED 2 million deposits.
- Real domain financial experts with properties worth AED 2 million.
- Entrepreneurs having ventures worth AED500,000.
- Specialized presents for specialists, researchers, competitors, Ph.D. holders, and so on.
Eligibility:
- Minimum age: 18 years.
- Based on your schooling, you will be classified into one of three aptitude categories.
- Category 1: Individuals with a bachelor’s degree
- Category 2: Post-secondary recognition holders
- Category 3: Tall school confirmation holders
- International ID that is valid for at least six months
- Passport photos
- Allow entry from the Service of Labor
- Signed work contract
- Medical screening clearance
- Health Insurance
- Sponsoring managers must hold a large exchange license
- The work part must coordinate the firm activity
- Work as if to support the employer
Required Documents:
To obtain a work visa in the UAE, you will need the following documents:
- A significant visa and a photocopy: The visa should expire at least six months after you plan to enter the country.
- Passport photos: The typical size is 43 mm by 55 mm. However, on occasion you may require a 2-inch by 2-inch photograph which is approximately 50 mm by 50 mm in size.
- Emirates ID Card: The Emirates ID card may be a unique personality card issued by the Government Specialist for Character, Citizenship, Traditions and Port Security (ICP). It is unfair to any card. It is a legal requirement for everyone who lives in the UAE whether they are citizens or residents. To comply with the rules you must apply for it and ensure that you have it continuously.
- You can apply for an unused Emirates ID card online at the ICP website or an approved writing center. You may need to go to one of ICP’s service centers to provide your biometric information. If you are a foreigner you will only be able to apply for it when you arrive in the country.
- Entry permit from the Ministry of Labor: The manager submits a work contract and requests permission from the Ministry of Labour (MOL) to authorize passage. It is recommended that long-haul experts sign the agreement as soon as possible.
- The work that is permitted must now be approved by the Service. An employment entry visa is then given out. The specialist has two months to travel to the UAE after receiving both of these.
- Medical Screening Outcome: You cannot have communicable illnesses like TB or HIV. Additionally, specialists must test negative for syphilis and Hepatitis B in a few specific industries. You’re good to go in the unlikely event that your symptoms are not present.
- A copy of the manager’s business card: It will have the subtle features of the company, as though your manager could provide it to you.
- A copy of the business’s business permit: Your manager may approve it.
Application Process:
Here are the major steps in obtaining a work visa in the UAE:
Approval of Passage Visa Quota
The manager initiates the process by requesting a standard endorsement for a work visa from the Ministry of Labor (MOL). The amount of outside representatives that a corporation can hire is limited by quantities. For the company to hire outside agents, it must have adequate office space as per controls. Once the MOL supports the standard application, the procedure can proceed.
Contract for Yield Marked Business
A basic company contract outlining salaries, benefits, stipends, probationary periods, and other details is signed by the employee and manager. Within 14 days, this contract must be presented to the MOL for endorsement. The MOL reviews the contract to ensure that labor laws about minimum wage, work hours, clearance, and other matters are being followed.
Apply for a Work Visa and a Passage Permit
The employer can now apply for the worker’s work permit and business passage visa as quantity endorsement is permitted. Uploading supporting documents, such as instructive certificates, marked contracts, duplicate international IDs, etc., can be done on the MOL website.
Obtain a Visa for Business Travel
After employment is approved, the employee will receive a Business Passage Visa by email. This type of visa enables the representative to enter the UAE legitimately and complete rehabilitative testing, Emirates ID enrolment, and other procedures within 60 days.
Use a Passage Visa to Enter the UAE
The worker undergoes therapeutic testing for HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases when entering the UAE on a passage visa. While the Emirates ID application registers points of interest related to residency, the restorative test looks for irreversible diseases. In one to two days, a certificate of test results is provided.
Make a Residence Visa Application
The manager begins the application for a home visa within the 60-day validity period of the travel permit when the results of the restorative test are clear. This is often completed by uploading papers and paying the visa fees on the ICA website.
Restorative Examination
The examination performed at an approved treatment facility looks for infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis. Depending on the task component, more testing can be necessary. After arrival, the test needs to be taken within 14 days.
Labor Contract Yield
After the therapeutic screening, the marked labor contract needs to be turned in to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) within 14 days. The contract is surveyed and verified by the MOHRE.
Obtain Health Insurance
According to UAE labor law, employers must provide representatives with scope for well-being protection. This needs to provide a basic scope for surgeries, inpatient stays, doctor visits, etc.
Receive a Residence Permit
After the application is approved by the Government Specialist for Personality and Citizenship (ICA), the manager will receive the employee’s residence visa. This enables the employee to lawfully live and work in the United Arab Emirates.
Get an Emirates ID by Applying
After landing in the United Arab Emirates, one has to apply for an Emirates ID within fifteen days. This national ID card, which is necessary for almost all exchanges, includes the relevant visa and residency information. You’re getting closer to starting your job in the United Arab Emirates now that your Emirates ID application is underway. Nevertheless, it’s essential to examine the job exhibit using accurate data. Your professional prospects and experience in the UAE can be affected by poor decisions and work chasing.
Stamping of Visa
The complex elements and authenticity of the visa were previously shown by the representative having to physically get their unused residential visa stamped on their visa. Nevertheless, following the 2021 modifications, identity documents no longer bear the UAE residency visa stamp. The Emirates ID card is linked to the visa details and processing status. There is no requirement for an employee to have their visa separately stamped in their international identification once they have their Emirates ID.
Processing Time and Fee:
The following information relates to the Dubai work visa princess application fee and time:
| Permit Type | Application Fee | Issuance Fee | eChannel Fee |
| Government Sector | AED 100 | AED 100 (per year) | AED 150 |
| Private Sector/Free Zone | AED 100 | AED 100 (per year) | AED 150 |
| Investor/Partner Residence | AED 100 | AED 100 (per year) | AED 150 |
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