The number of expats and skilled workers looking to secure employment in the UAE is growing every day. The UAE’s strategic location, innovative infrastructure, tax-free income, and business-friendly policies are just a few factors that make it an ideal destination for professionals from all walks of life.
Another factor that contributes to this large number of expats (about 88% of the population) in the UAE is its relaxed and simple employment visa requirements. But what steps must one follow to get a UAE employment visa? This is what most people looking for career opportunities in this region struggle.
This blog contains a detailed step-by-step guide on how you can successfully obtain a UAE employment visa. By following these simple guidelines, you can easily get your UAE work visa and pursue your career in the region, so keep on reading until the end.
- UAE Employment Visa: Eligibility Criteria
- Documents Needed for Obtaining an Employment Visa in the UAE
- Step-by-step Guide to Getting an Employment Visa in the UAE
- UAE Employment Visa Application Fee
- UAE Employment Visa Cancellation
UAE Employment Visa: Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for this visa, you must first meet the following UAE employment visa requirements
- The candidate applying for the visa must be 18 years of age or older.
- The candidate’s passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond their stay period.
- The employer sponsoring the candidate must possess a valid trade license and have no prior violations.
- The job role for which you are applying must match the company’s activities.
- The candidate can only work for the employer who is their sponsor.
- The candidate must fall into one of the three skill or qualification classification categories, including Category A: Bachelor’s degree, Category B: Post-secondary diploma, Category C: High school diploma
- Candidates must have a valid employment contract with a sponsoring UAE-registered company or employer.
- Based on the occupation, candidates must have at least 2-5 years of post-qualification experience.
- The candidate must have a clean criminal record and must show willingness to undergo police clearance.
Documents Needed for Obtaining an Employment Visa in the UAE
Here are a few key documents you must gather before proceeding with the application:
- A copy of your valid passport
- A passport-sized picture preferably with a clear or white background
- Copies of your academic certificates verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country and the UAE embassy
- Medical certificates from UAE-approved health centers
- Commercial license of the company or the company card of your employer
- Entry Permit from the Ministry of Labor
- Signed copy of the employment contract
- Professional licenses, if applicable, i.e., for doctors, engineers, technical experts, etc.
- Experience letters, if applicable
- Emirates ID application form
- Translated and attested police clearance certificate from the country of your residence
- Copy of the trade license of the sponsor
Step-by-step Guide to Getting an Employment Visa in the UAE
Now that you have gathered all the required documents, let’s go one step further and look at the UAE employment visa process that you have to follow.
- Get the Entry Visa Quota Approval
The process starts when the employer applies for the entry visa quota approval from the MoHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation). The quota varies from Emirate to Emirate.
For instance, Dubai-based employers can apply for one visa per nine square meters of office space. To increase the quota, they either have to move to a larger office or request a quota upgrade.
- Submit a Signed Employment Contract
After that, you need to sign an employment contract in English, Arabic, and the native language of the employer and submit it to MoHRE for approval.
- Work Visa Application Submission and Applying for an Entry Visa
Then the employer submits the work visa application, which contains your educational documents, passport, employment contract, etc. This application is reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Labor.
Then the sponsor can apply for the entry or residence visa on your behalf.
- Get Your Employment Entry Visa
After that approval, you are issued a pink visa, which is valid for about two months.
This visa allows you to enter the UAE and complete your remaining visa procedures, like getting an Emirates ID, health certificate, etc.
- Apply for Emirates ID
After your arrival, you will need to apply for the Emirates ID. This ID links to the candidate’s residency visa and serves as a key identification document.
To get this ID, you have to visit the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) center. Here, you will give your biometrics and present supporting documents like a passport and entry visa.
- Get a Medical Certificate
Now you can visit a government-approved medical center in the UAE for some basic tests. The results of these tests affect the residency visa approval. The medical screening includes tests for fitness, HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases.
These tests should be taken within 14 days of your arrival. After obtaining certificates, the employer applies for the residency visa via the ICS website.
- Submit Labor Contract
Within 14 days of the medical screening, the employer has to submit the labor contract to the MoHRE for review and attestation. This contract lists your terms of employment and is registered with the ministry.
- Get Health Insurance
Next, you need to get health insurance from your employer, which covers basics like hospitalization, doctor visits, major medical procedures, etc. This insurance is mandatory for all employees in the UAE, as the MoHRE does not renew work visas if an employee doesn’t have a valid health insurance card from their employer.
- Receive Your Employment Visa
It takes about five days after the previous step for you to get approval for the official work visa from the MoL (Ministry of Labor).
- Get the Residence Visa
Now the employee can apply for the residence visa by filling out the application and attaching the required supporting documents. This visa was initially stamped in your passport by the GDRFA. But now, the visa status and information are linked to your Emirates ID, which eliminates the need to physically get your visa stamped in your passport.
This renewable visa is valid for about two years, and it is necessary for completing formalities like registering cars, opening bank accounts, setting up a PO box, etc.
UAE Employment Visa Application Fee
Here is a brief overview of the fee you must pay to get this visa
- AED 200 is charged for all categories for requesting initial approval of an electronic work permit.
- The fee for the approval of the new work permit for Category 1 is about AED 300.
- The fee for category 2 is further divided into levels as follows i.e.: AED 600 for level A, AED 1,500 for level B, and AED 2,000 for level C.
- For category 3, the fee is AED 5000.
The fee for the UAE work permits is usually covered by the sponsoring employer.
The employment visa cost in UAE can be between AED 1400 to AED 1800 based on your service provider and the Emirate you are planning to go to for work. The breakdown is as follows.
- The fee for an entry permit = AED 200
- Fee for medical fitness test = AED 300-600
- Fee for Emirates ID issuance and biometrics = AED 170
- Fee for Labor Contract Registration = AED 200
- Fee for residence visa stamping = AED 600
UAE Employment Visa Cancellation
The employment visa cancellation in UAE is initiated by the sponsor. The sponsor can either cancel the visa in person by visiting the offices of the GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) or they can do it online through the GDRFA or Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship websites.
Before canceling the employment visa, the sponsor first has to cancel the work permit or labor card of the worker through MoHRE’s website. The cancellation fee for this visa is AED 110 which is paid by the sponsor. The cancellation fees for the entry permit, work permit, and exit permits are AED 50 plus AED 10 for E-Service each.
After visa cancellation, you are given a 30-day grace period within which you can either change the visa status or exit the country. Staying longer than that may lead to fines or penalties.
Conclusion
When applying for a UAE employment visa, you have to meet every eligibility requirement and gather all the authentic and verified documents. This is only possible when you take the time to gather information regarding the UAE’s latest employment visa policies from a trusted source.
By following the above-mentioned steps, you can easily avoid making major errors when applying for this visa. You can also seek assistance from a reputable service that specializes in handling employment visa applications for the UAE. Their expertise and comprehensive support will streamline the process and ensure you are able to settle in and start your work in the UAE right away.
Contact us at HRSG if you wish to build a successful career in the UAE or you want to take your existing business to new heights. Our dedicated team will ensure a consistent growth in your every business endeavor with its expert insights and vast experience working in this region.
