Work Visas & Employment Permits in UAE
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from UAE federal decrees, laws, and ministerial decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
The UAE offers several employment visa types depending on your employer, skill level, and whether you work on the mainland or in a free zone:
- Standard Employment Visa: Issued for 2-3 years, tied to your employer (sponsor). Your employer applies through MOHRE (mainland) or the relevant free zone authority. The employer must pay all visa costs — charging workers for their own visa is illegal under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
- Green Visa (Self-Sponsored): A 5-year self-sponsored visa for skilled employees earning AED 15,000+/month (or holding a bachelor's degree) and freelancers with a valid freelance permit. You are your own sponsor — no employer tie.
- Golden Visa: A 10-year renewable visa for investors (AED 2M+ in property or business), skilled professionals earning AED 30,000+/month, scientists, doctors, engineers, and outstanding students. Self-sponsored with no employer dependency.
- Free Zone Visa: Issued by free zone authorities (JAFZA, DMCC, DAFZA, ADGM, DIFC, etc.). Generally 2-3 years. You work and are sponsored within the free zone but can live anywhere in the UAE.
- Mission Visa (Temporary Work): For short-term assignments — valid for up to 90 days, non-renewable.
- Visit visa categories (Sep 2022 reform, expanded in 2024): The old tourist/visit visa was replaced by multiple purpose-specific categories — Job Exploration Visa (60 days, no sponsor needed, for graduates of top-500 universities or skilled professionals looking for work), Business Entry Visa (90 days), Studying / Training Visa, Tourist Visa (30/60 days, single or multi-entry), and the 5-year multi-entry tourist visa (90 days per entry, total 180 days/year). Visit visa holders can now convert to a residence visa in-country.
Fees: Standard work permit: AED 300-5,000 (varies by company classification and skill level). Residence visa stamping: AED 500-1,000. Medical test: AED 200-350. Emirates ID: AED 370 (3-year). Total employer cost: approximately AED 3,000-7,000.
Processing time: Work permit approval: 3-5 business days. Full visa processing (entry permit + medical + Emirates ID + visa stamping): 2-4 weeks total.
When does it apply?
- You have a job offer from a UAE employer on the mainland or in a free zone.
- You are a freelancer or self-employed professional wanting to work legally in the UAE.
- You are a skilled professional or investor eligible for Golden or Green Visa status.
What to Do If You Have a UAE Job Offer and Need a Work Visa
- Get a signed employment contract in Arabic and English before traveling — MOHRE requires a standard contract form for mainland employment.
- Verify your employer will pay all visa costs — it is illegal for employers to charge workers for visa, work permit, or medical test fees.
- Complete medical testing and Emirates ID registration within 60 days of arrival on your entry permit — track progress through the ICP smart app.
- Keep copies of all documents — work permit, residence visa, employment contract, and Emirates ID. You are legally entitled to these.
- For free zone positions, confirm which authority handles your visa — the free zone's PRO department typically manages the process.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not pay for your own visa — if your employer demands payment, report them to MOHRE at 600-590000.
- Do not surrender your passport — passport confiscation by employers is illegal under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 13.
- Do not work on a visit or tourist visa — working without a valid work permit is a criminal offence carrying fines and deportation.
- Do not overstay your entry permit or residence visa — since the October 2024 unification of overstay penalties, fines are AED 50 per day for all visa categories (previously AED 100/day for residents and AED 50/day for visitors). Overstayers also face re-entry bans if they accumulate serious violations.
- Do not forget the 6-month visit-to-residence grace period — if you enter on a 60-day visit visa and receive a job offer or qualify for a Green/Golden Visa, you can convert status in-country without exiting through the ICP smart app; you no longer need to do a visa run to a neighbouring country.
Common Questions
When does it apply — work visas & employment permits?
You have a job offer from a UAE employer on the mainland or in a free zone.You are a freelancer or self-employed professional wanting to work legally in the UAE.You are a skilled professional or investor eligible for Golden or Green Visa status.
What should I do if I have a job offer in the UAE and need to understand how to get a work visa?
Get a signed employment contract in Arabic and English before traveling — MOHRE requires a standard contract form for mainland employment.Verify your employer will pay all visa costs — it is illegal for employers to charge workers for visa, work permit, or medical test fees.Complete medical testing and Emirates ID registration within 60 days of arrival on your entry permit — track progress through the ICP smart app.Keep copies of all documents — work permit, residence visa, employment contract, and Emirates ID. You are legally entitled to these.For free zone positions, confirm which authority...
What should you NOT do — work visas & employment permits?
Do not pay for your own visa — if your employer demands payment, report them to MOHRE at 600-590000.Do not surrender your passport — passport confiscation by employers is illegal under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 13.Do not work on a visit or tourist visa — working without a valid work permit is a criminal offence carrying fines and deportation.Do not overstay your entry permit or residence visa — since the October 2024 unification of overstay penalties, fines are AED 50 per day for all visa categories (previously AED 100/day for residents and AED 50/day for visitors). Overstayer...