Employment Visa & Work Permit
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on UAE federal decrees, laws, and ministerial decisions.
UAE Federal Law
What is this right?
To work legally in the UAE, you need both a residence visa and a work permit. Here is how the process works:
- Employer sponsorship: Your employer applies for your work permit through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and then sponsors your residence visa through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP).
- Entry permit: Before arriving, you receive an entry permit valid for 60 days, during which you must complete medical testing and Emirates ID registration.
- Medical test: You must pass a medical fitness test (including screening for communicable diseases) at an approved health centre.
- Emirates ID: You must register for an Emirates ID card, which serves as your primary identification document in the UAE.
- Visa duration: Employment visas are typically issued for 2-3 years and are renewable. Free zone visas may have different terms.
When does it apply?
- You have received a job offer from a UAE-based employer.
- You are a foreign national who needs legal authorisation to work in the UAE.
- This applies to both mainland and free zone employment.
What should you do?
- Do not pay for your own visa — under UAE law, the employer must cover all visa and work permit costs.
- Get a copy of your employment contract in Arabic and English before travelling to the UAE.
- Complete the medical test and Emirates ID registration promptly after arriving.
- Make sure your employer gives you a copy of your work permit and residence visa — you are entitled to these documents.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not work without a valid work permit — both you and your employer face fines and possible deportation.
- Do not let your employer keep your passport — passport confiscation is illegal under UAE law.
- Do not overstay your entry permit — you must complete visa processing within 60 days of arrival.
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