Employment Visa (Standard)
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 730 days
- Processing time
- 5-10 business days
- Fee
- AED 500-1,000 (entry permit) + AED 3,500-6,000 (residency stamping and Emirates ID)
- Validity
- 2 years, renewable
- Entry
- Single entry
Standard employment visa for foreign nationals employed in the UAE private sector, government sector, or free zones. The employer acts as the visa sponsor and handles the application process. Valid for 2 years and renewable. The process involves obtaining an entry permit, arriving in the UAE, completing medical fitness tests, applying for Emirates ID, and receiving the residence visa stamp. Total costs including medical tests, Emirates ID, and health insurance typically range from AED 4,000-7,000.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Available to all nationalities
-
Employment
Must have a valid employment offer from a UAE-licensed company. Employer must obtain a labour card/work permit from MOHRE before applying for the employment visa
Required status: Confirmed employment offer from UAE-licensed company
-
Health
Must pass the UAE medical fitness test. Applicants testing positive for HIV, Hepatitis B/C, or tuberculosis may be denied
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 4; Specifications: Recent colour passport-size photographs with white background
-
Employment letter
Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.
Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Paid by employer through GDRFA/ICP portal; Amount: AED 500-1,000 for entry permit; AED 3,500-6,000 for residence stamping and Emirates ID
-
Medical fitness
Provide a medical fitness certificate if the destination requires one for this route.
Destination country: UAE; Examining center: DHA/MOHAP-approved medical centre
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Employer obtains work permit from MOHRE. Gather passport copies (valid 6+ months), passport photos, educational certificates (attested), and employment contract
-
Online application
Employer submits entry permit application through GDRFA (Dubai) or ICP (other emirates) portal
-
Fee payment
Employer pays entry permit fee of AED 500-1,000 plus work permit fees
-
Processing wait
Wait 5-10 business days for entry permit approval
-
Visa collection
Receive entry permit via email. Enter the UAE within 60 days of issuance
-
Document submission
Upon arrival, complete medical fitness test at an approved medical centre within 60 days
-
Biometrics
Visit a typing centre to apply for Emirates ID and complete biometrics (fingerprints, photo, iris scan)