Don’t Get Stuck in Paperwork: Simplify UAE Employment Visa Management with Infinigent’s Software

Are you a foreigner who is looking to work legally in the UAE, sponsored by a UAE-based employer? You need an employment visa that lets employees reside and work in the UAE. 

This blog has a step-by-step guide that details everything you need to learn about the UAE employment visa process.

Before you dive in, let’s give you a heads up that applying for this visa entails a long process and a lot of paperwork. As an employer, applying for this visa is time-consuming and challenging. To cut through the hectic process, we recommend using digital visa management software to save time and effort.

Let’s first learn about different types of UAE visas and how to apply for one.

What are the different types of UAE visas for employees?

If a foreigner decides to work in the UAE, they must apply for one of these three types of visas.

Standard work visa

If an employer in the UAE wants to hire a foreigner as an employee, you must apply for a standard work visa.

The employer must arrange this visa, and the company must sponsor the visa and handle the paperwork.

Validity: This visa is issued for 2 to 3 years, depending on the employment contract and company type.

Green visa

The Green visa in the UAE is provided for skilled workers, freelancers, and investors. This offers more flexibility and longer validity than the standard visa without the need for an employer sponsor.

So, the applications can be made directly through UAE immigration portals. However, the requirements to apply for a green visa differ for freelancers and skilled employees.

Freelancers and self-employed individuals must provide the following:

• Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s permit for self-employment and freelancing in the UAE.
• The employee must attach an attested bachelor’s degree or a specialized diploma.
• Must submit proof of earning at least AED 360,000 annually from self-employment over the past two years or evidence of enough money to support yourself in the UAE.

Skilled employees must provide the following:

• A valid employment contract with the organization the employee is associated with.
• The employee must earn a monthly salary of at least AED 15,000.
• Have at least a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification.
• Be classified at the first, second, or third occupational level as per the Ministry of Human Resources.

Validity: Whether you are a freelancer or a skilled employee applying for this visa, it’s valid for 5 years.

Golden visa

The UAE’s golden visa is for investors, entrepreneurs, specialized talents, and researchers. To apply for this visa, they need significant investment or notable achievements in specific fields. They get an entry permit valid for six months with multiple entries to obtain residency.

Individuals who apply for this visa don’t need a sponsor or maintain a six-month residence within the UAE to maintain their visa status. They also have the permit to sponsor as many domestic helpers as possible.

If an individual holding a UAE Golden Visa passes away, their family members are eligible to continue to stay in the country until their permit expires.

Who is eligible to get the Golden Visa?

• If you are an investor, you must have a deposit of AED two million.
• Real estate investors aiming for this visa must have one or more properties valued at more than AED two million.
• Entrepreneurs must have a project value greater than 500,000 AED, as stated by an auditor.
• Specialized talents, including inventors, doctors, scientists, athletes, executives, doctoral degree holders, and science and engineering specialists. 

Validity: UAE’s golden visa is valid for 10 years, with the option to renew.

What are the UAE’s employment visa rules?

If you are aiming for a work visa in the UAE, you must adhere to certain rules and regulations.

1. The employee you hire must be at least 18 years old.

2. The hiring organization must have a valid license.

3. The employee’s organization or employer shouldn’t have faced any legal violations or issues.

4. The job you are hired for should match with the organization’s profile.

5. The employee applying for the work visa must at least have a high school diploma.

What are the requirements for obtaining a UAE work visa?

• A valid passport and photocopy, along with passport photos
• Medical examination: The employee is required to have a medical examination at a health center that’s approved by the UAE government. 
• Emirates ID card: The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customers, and Port Security (ICP) provides this special identity card. Whether you are a citizen or a foreigner residing and working here, you must possess this card. However, if a foreigner is applying for this card, they can apply only when they reach the country.
• Entry permit from the Ministry of Labor. Your UAE employer must apply for an entry permit or an employment entry visa on your behalf. This permit lets the employee enter the UAE legally for work purposes. It’s valid only for two months.
• A copy of an organization card from the employer (only your employer can give it to you)
• A copy of the organization’s commercial license (only your employer can give it to you)
• You must also include an employment agreement or job offer presented by a UAE business.

What’s the application process for an employment visa in UAE?

Follow this step-by-step process to get an employment visa in UAE:

1. Apply for entry visa quota approval

The first step in this process is obtaining an entry visa. Your employer must apply for Entry Visa Quota Approval at the Ministry of Labour (MOL). If this organization is from a special free zone, approval must be obtained before the employee enters the UAE. Free zone companies can hire only one foreign worker for every 12.5 square meters of office space.

Organizations with over 100 employees are restricted in hiring foreign workers for certain positions. This approval process takes about three working days.

2. Submit a signed employment contract

The employer should send a job offer contract for the employee to sign and return. This contract must be in three languages: Arabic, English, and the employee’s native language.

This signed contract is proof of employment and is reviewed by the Ministry of Labour (MOL) to ensure its authenticity. This usually takes two working days if completed online.

3. Submit an application for a work visa and apply for an entry visa

Before you get the entry visa, the work permit application must be approved. Here, the Ministry of Labour checks if any UAE citizens who are currently unemployed could fill the position. They also verify the legitimacy of the hiring company. If everything ticks, approval is granted.

4. Receive an employment entry visa

After receiving the work permit, the Ministry issues an Employment Entry Visa, which is valid only for two months. This visa lets the employee legally enter the UAE and stay there for 30 days. However, this stay can be extended twice if necessary. You will receive the visa within three working days.

5. Obtain a work visa and a residence visa in the UAE

When an employee enters the UAE with an entry visa, there are two options:

If the entry visa had been issued before arrival, it could be collected at the airport.

If the employee is already staying in the UAE on a different visa, they must apply for a ‘change of status’ visa after the entry visa is issued. Or they can leave the country and re-enter with an entry visa.

Once the employee enters the UAE, they have two months (60 days) to complete the paperwork and obtain the work permit and residence visa.

6. Apply for an Emirates ID

The employee must submit their original passport, employment entry permit and biometric data to apply for an Emirates ID.

7. Get a medical checkup

This is highly necessary. Besides the medical examination, the employee must also include tests done for contagious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis.

8. Submit a labor contract

A labor contract that’s signed between the employer and the employee must be submitted to the Ministry of Labour (MOL) within 14 days of receiving medical results.

9. Get health insurance

Health insurance is a must-have in the UAE so employers must ensure that their foreign workers are covered. No valid health insurance, no work permit—it’s as simple as that.

10. Get a work/ residence visa and begin payroll

Upon completing all steps, the employee can live and work in the UAE with a residence visa. 

11. Application fees and type of permit

Type of Permit	Application Fees	Issuance Fees	eChannel Services Fees
Work in government sector	100 AED	100 AED for each year	150 AED
Work in the private sector or free zone	100 AED	100 AED for each year	150 AED
Investor or partner resident	100 AED	100 AED for each year	150 AED

12. Visa stamping

This is the last step in the visa application, where the UAE residence visa is officially stamped. To complete this procedure, you must submit your passport to the immigration office responsible for it.

But this procedure has become outdated. Your UAE visa gets directly linked to your Emirates ID.

You can streamline your visa processes with cutting-edge digital visa management solutions like Infinigent. Reach out to us here.

UAE visa cancellation

How do I cancel the UAE visa?

The employer or the organization that sponsored the employee visa can cancel it. So, to cancel an employee’s work visa, they must apply for visa cancellation at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

They must also apply to cancel the employee’s labor contract and labor card. The application must also have the employee’s signature. Next, the organization must apply to ICP for visa cancellation, and the company must cancel the employee’s work permit.

If an organization is canceling their employee’s visa, they must ensure that the employee gets their wages and other benefits. The employee must also confirm the same in writing to the government.

What are the cancellation fees and permit types?

If you want to cancel your visa permit, you must pay certain fees. There are three different types of permits: the cancel entry permit, the cancel residency permit, and the cancel exit permit.  You must pay 50 AED as cancellation request fees and 10 AED as electronic service fees.

How long does it take to cancel a UAE work visa?

Canceling your UAE work visa is a straightforward process that takes only 1 to 2 working days. Since only the sponsor can cancel the visa, they must first cancel your labor card, which may take an extra working day. So, this accounts for three days in total.

Visa frauds

Visa fraud in the UAE can easily take various forms. Often, individuals looking to work, visit, or live in the country get targeted. 

Some major visa frauds include:

• Individuals who apply for work visas are offered tourist visas. In the UAE, it’s prohibited to work on a tourist visa.
• Extra fees are charged besides the government and service fees.
• Personal information is stolen.
• Residence visas are processed outside the UAE before an entry permit is awarded.

If you suspect any fraud, you can reach out to MoHRE at telephone number 0097168027666 or email ask@mohre.gov.ae.

Final Words

Don’t let paperwork slow you down. You can now optimize your visa process with our easy-to-use, robust visa management software system, like Infinigent. Our solution digitalizes the visa process end-to-end. Contact us and let’s discuss how we can simplify the visa process.