Getting a UAE work visa is something hundreds of thousands of people do every year. The process is well-established, but it involves several steps across different government systems and it’s easy to lose track of where you are and what comes next.
This guide covers the full process from job offer to residency stamp, including current costs, realistic timelines, and the things that tend to cause delays.
Who This Applies To
This guide is for employees being sponsored by a UAE-registered company. That covers:
- Employees working for mainland UAE companies
- Employees working for free zone companies (most free zones handle their own visa process)
- Domestic workers (the process is similar but slightly different; we note where it diverges)
If you are self-employed, freelance, or setting up your own company, see the UAE Freelance Visa Guide or UAE Investor Visa instead.
The Two-Stage Structure
The UAE work and residence visa process has two main stages:
- Entry permit (also called a work permit or labour card pre-approval) — issued before you arrive in the UAE, or changed to status if you are already there on a visit visa
- Residence visa — issued after you complete medical tests and Emirates ID biometrics inside the UAE
Both are processed through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) for mainland companies, or through the relevant free zone authority for free zone employment.
Some employers handle everything. Others ask employees to handle certain steps themselves with reimbursement. Know which model applies to you before you start.
Step 1: Employment Approval and Labour Card
Before any visa is issued, the employer needs approval to hire you. This is the labour card or work permit stage.
For mainland companies
The employer applies to MOHRE to add a slot to their work permit quota. UAE companies have hiring quotas based on their size, Emiratisation targets, and classification tier. If the company is at quota, they need to resolve that first.
Once quota is available, the employer submits:
- Your passport copy
- Job title and salary details
- Their valid trade licence
MOHRE typically responds within 2-5 business days. If approved, a work permit number is issued.
For free zone companies
Free zones operate their own HR and visa systems, independent of MOHRE. The employer submits your documents to the free zone authority directly. Timelines vary by free zone but are usually 3-7 business days.
Cost (mainland): AED 300-700 for the MOHRE work permit, depending on nationality and job category.
Step 2: Entry Permit (if you are outside the UAE)
If you are outside the UAE, the employer sponsors an entry permit (essentially a pre-arrival visa) which allows you to enter and complete the process.
The entry permit is applied for through GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) or the ICA (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship) portal. It appears as a UAE visa in your passport or as an electronic approval number linked to your passport.
Entry permits are usually issued within 3-5 business days once the MOHRE approval is in place. Some employers use a typing centre or PRO (Public Relations Officer) service to submit — this is normal practice.
Validity: Entry permits are typically valid for 60 days from issue. You need to enter the UAE before it expires.
Cost: AED 500-1,200 depending on visa type and processing speed. Urgent processing (same-day or next-day) costs more.
Step 2 (Alternative): Status Change Inside the UAE
If you are already in the UAE on a visit visa or tourist entry, you can change status inside the country instead of leaving and re-entering on an entry permit.
The employer applies for a status change through the ICA system. This is common for people who came to the UAE on a visit, received a job offer, and are staying to complete the process.
Cost: AED 700-1,500, which includes a status change fee and new visa issuance. It is slightly more expensive than a standard entry permit.
Important: Your visit visa must still be valid when you apply. Overstaying, even by a day, creates a fine and complicates the process significantly. If your visit visa is about to expire and the employer is still processing paperwork, confirm whether they will handle the overstay risk or whether you should leave and re-enter.
Step 3: Medical Fitness Test
Once you have entered the UAE on the entry permit (or changed status), you need a medical fitness test. This is mandatory for all residence visas.
Where to go
MOHRE-authorised medical centres operate in all emirates. In Dubai, the main centres are run by AMER or Tadbeer. Abu Dhabi uses SEHA-affiliated clinics. You can check the list of authorised centres on the GDRFA or ICA website.
What the test includes
- Chest X-ray (screening for tuberculosis)
- Blood test (HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis screening)
- Physical check
Results are uploaded electronically to the government system. You do not receive a paper result to submit separately.
How long it takes
Most medical centres complete testing and upload results within 24-72 hours. Some offer same-day results at a premium.
Cost
AED 200-350 at most centres. Prices vary slightly by emirate.
If you fail the medical
Certain conditions result in deportation under UAE law, including active tuberculosis, HIV-positive status, and hepatitis C. This is written into UAE immigration rules. If you have any of these conditions, you will not be issued a UAE residence visa.
Other conditions (including controlled chronic illness, disabilities) do not disqualify you. The test specifically screens for the communicable disease list above.
Step 4: Emirates ID Application
Simultaneously with or immediately after the medical, you submit your Emirates ID application. This is done at an authorised Emirates ID typing centre or through ICP Smart Services online.
You provide:
- Passport copy
- Entry permit copy or status change confirmation
- Biometrics (fingerprint scan + photo) — done at the typing centre or GDRFA/ICA centre
Cost: AED 170-370, depending on the validity period (1 year or 2 years). The employer usually chooses 2-year cards to align with visa validity.
Delivery: Emirates ID is posted by courier to your address within 5-15 business days after biometrics.
Step 5: Residence Visa Stamping
Once the medical results are cleared and Emirates ID is in the system, the residence visa is stamped into your passport or issued as an electronic visa linked to your passport.
Your employer or their PRO submits the final application through GDRFA (Dubai) or ADNOC/TAMM (Abu Dhabi) or the relevant emirate authority.
Cost: AED 500-1,000 for the residence visa fee, plus typing fees (AED 100-200).
Validity: Standard work visas are issued for 2 years and are renewable. Some higher-salary employees now qualify for 5-year visas.
Full Timeline
In a smooth case, here is how the timeline breaks down:
| Stage | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| MOHRE work permit approval | 2-5 business days |
| Entry permit issued | 3-5 business days |
| Medical test and results | 1-3 days |
| Emirates ID biometrics and processing | 5-15 days |
| Residence visa stamping | 2-5 business days |
| Total (outside UAE path) | 3-5 weeks |
| Total (status change inside UAE) | 4-6 weeks |
Delays are common at the MOHRE quota stage (if the employer is at quota) and at the typing/submission stage if documents are incomplete.
Full Cost Breakdown
Costs vary by employer, emirate, and nationality, but here is a realistic estimate for a single employee:
| Item | Estimated Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| MOHRE work permit | 300-700 |
| Entry permit or status change | 700-1,500 |
| Medical fitness test | 200-350 |
| Emirates ID | 170-370 |
| Residence visa stamping | 500-1,000 |
| PRO/typing centre fees | 200-500 |
| Total | 2,070-4,420 |
Under UAE labour law, the employer is legally responsible for paying visa costs. Some employers ask employees to pay upfront and reimburse — this is common but worth clarifying in your offer letter.
The Probation Period Rule
UAE Labour Law allows employers to set a probation period of up to 6 months. If an employee leaves or is terminated during probation, there can be implications for the visa and for re-entry.
If you resign during probation to join another employer, UAE law allows the new employer to hire you immediately — the old rule that required a 6-month ban was removed in 2022 under the updated Labour Law. However, termination for cause during probation may still carry restrictions. Check the terms in your contract.
Renewing an Employee Work Visa
Renewal is handled by the employer and follows the same medical and Emirates ID update process. Renewals typically need to be started 30-60 days before expiry.
If you stay with the same employer, the renewal is straightforward. If you are changing employers, you need a new work permit and entry permit from the new company. See UAE Visa Types Explained for how switching employers works in practice.
Dependant Visas
Once your residence visa is issued, you can sponsor dependants (spouse, children) on a family visa. The minimum salary threshold to sponsor a spouse is generally AED 4,000/month (some banks and landlords prefer AED 6,000+, but the immigration minimum is lower).
See How to Sponsor Family in the UAE for the full process.
Common Causes of Delay
A few things that routinely slow down visa processing:
MOHRE quota issues. Employers with Emiratisation shortfalls or at their headcount quota cannot process new work permits until they resolve it. Ask your HR team directly whether this could be a factor.
Documents not attested. If your employer requires attested educational certificates (common for professional roles, healthcare, education), these need legalisation from your home country and the UAE Embassy. This can take weeks and should be sorted before you arrive.
Passport validity. Your passport must have at least 6 months validity for the visa process. If it expires within 6 months of your planned arrival, renew it first.
Typing centre errors. Applications submitted with incorrect passport numbers, wrong dates, or missing fields get rejected and have to be resubmitted. A reliable PRO service reduces this risk.
Free Zone Employees: Key Differences
If you are employed by a free zone company, the process is handled by the free zone authority rather than MOHRE. Key practical differences:
- The free zone issues its own work permit (not a MOHRE permit)
- Medical tests still happen through the same authorised centres
- Emirates ID process is the same
- GDRFA still handles the residence visa stamping (in Dubai; other emirate authorities for other free zones)
Free zone companies often have in-house visa teams or dedicated typing centre relationships. The process is generally faster and more streamlined than mainland.
For specific free zone details, see the guides for DMCC, IFZA, JAFZA, RAKEZ, or DIFC.
Summary
The UAE employee work visa process involves 5 steps: labour card approval, entry permit or status change, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, and residence visa stamping. End-to-end it takes 3-6 weeks in a smooth case. Total cost is typically AED 2,000-4,500, which the employer is legally required to cover.
The most common delays come from MOHRE quota constraints, incomplete documents, and slow PRO processing. Understanding where your employer is in the process — and asking specifically about quota status — will help you set realistic expectations.
For employers managing multiple work visas and employee documents, Horilla HRM via WireApps tracks visa expiry dates, passport renewals, Emirates ID status, and medical test deadlines in one place — reducing the admin overhead significantly.
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