Know about the UAE employment visa process in detail

The UAE working visa allows foreigners to work in the country, provided they have a sponsor. In this case, it is a person or company that makes a formal job offer to the future worker. The employer is the one who carries out the entire process so that the worker can carry out their work legally.

In this article, we show you the details about it, including the cost of the employment visa in Dubai. In addition, you will know the necessary documentation and how the process should go until the final sealing. Let us see:

1. What is a UAE working visa?

2. Documents for the work visa in the UAE

3. What is the UAE working visa application process like?

4. What is the employment visa in the UAE processing time?

5. Who is eligible for the Dubai work permit visa?

6. Dubai work visa price

7. What is the validity of the working visa in the UAE?

8. Renewal of the employment visa in the UAE

9. How can we help you with the UAE work visa application process?

1. What is a UAE working visa?

The UAE working visa is the permit granted by the authorities to foreigners who wish to work there. In addition, it is the employer who must request for a employee to work legally in the Emirates. This is because the employee needs a sponsor to be able to carry out their professional duties.

The entity in charge of issuing this important permit is the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE). Therefore, the applicant must visit this ministry if he has a formal job offer from an employer. In addition, you must submit the necessary documents, indicated below, for verification.

Therefore, if you are a candidate for a job, you must collect the documents and send them to your prospective employer. In this way, the latter will be able to apply for a working visa in the UAE.

2. Documents for the work visa in the UAE

To apply for an employment visa in the UAE, the worker must provide a series of documents. These include:

  • Copy of passport of the applicant, valid for a minimum period of 6 months.
  • Visa application form.
  • Photo of the applicant, the same size as the passport.
  • Proof of payment of Dubai work visa fees.
  • Entry permit to the Emirates.
  • Valid health certificate.
  • Copies of the signed employment contract (3).
  • Educational certificates and any professional qualifications.
  • Copy of the business license of the employer who is hiring you.

3. What is the UAE working visa application process like?

To apply for the UAE work visa, you must follow a complete process. To make it easier, you can request the advice of professionals specialized in the field. Follow the next steps:

3.1 Approval of the Ministry of Labor (MOL)

The first thing you need to do to apply for a work visa in the UAE is to get approval from the Ministry of Labour. It is the employer who must require the approval of the hiring by the said ministry. In this sense, the company must give the future employee a job offer letter that both must sign. 

Moreover, the said letter must contain the most important details concerning the job and the labor law of the UAE. Therefore, it must contain the following aspects in detail:

  • The description of the work to be performed by the employee.
  • The basic salary.
  • Full salary with all benefits.
  • The beginning of the work, etc. 

3.2 Entry permit

Once approved by the MOL, you will obtain an entry permit for the worker. This authorization allows the UAE working visa applicant to legally enter the country. However, the entry permit is only valid for 60 days from the time it is issued.

3.3 Labor card application

Once the employee has entered the country, they must start the process to apply for a UAE labor card. In this case, the authorities issue a labor card valid for 2 years, in addition to a valid ID. However, you must apply for a residence visa before the end of the 60-day entry permit.

3.4 Residence permit application

Then the candidate must present himself at the United Arab Emirates identification service center. In this case, you must present the entry permit and your valid passport, as you could see in the previous section. Additionally, the employer must apply for a residence permit before the immigration authorities.

3.5 Medical examination

An essential requirement for a foreigner to reside and work in the Emirates must pass a medical examination. In this case, it is the employer who must take the future worker of his company to undergo the corresponding exams. However, you can only do so at a place authorized by the government for that purpose.

The worker must pass this exam to obtain a UAE working visa.

3.6 UAE working visa stamping

After passing the medical exam, the Dubai Department of Naturalization and Residency will stamp the visa. Once the employee receives the visa, they can serve as a sponsor for their spouse, parents, or children.

3.7 Other aspects to take into account

To facilitate the process of applying for a work permit in the UAE, the authorities have established centers outside the country. The MoHRE has been in charge of this, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

On the other hand, you can obtain a work permit even if you are leaving the United Arab Emirates. To do this, you do not have to go to your country of origin, you can opt for the “execution of visas” service offered by some airlines. This service consists of making a stopover in a neighboring country of the UAE until you obtain a work visa for Dubai.

In the same way, with the change of status criterion, the employer can request without the employee having to leave the country. This process was established by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDFRA) in Dubai.

Those workers who already belong to a company must apply for this visa if they wish to change employers. In this case, it is for those workers whose contract has ended and who can secure a new opportunity.

The work visa UAE can be canceled through an online process, this is simple to do. However, this process can only be done by the employer at the request of the employee.

4. What is the employment visa in the UAE processing time?

Usually the time it takes for the entire process until the delivery of the visa is about 2 or 3 weeks. This is the same UAE employment visa processing time in 2020 as it has not changed significantly. However, this time can be reduced even more if you have all the documents in order.

Therefore, in any of the Emirates, you can expect this process to be quick.

5. Who is eligible for the Dubai work permit visa?

Expats who wish to obtain a work visa in the UAE must meet one of the following conditions:

  • You received a job offer from an employer in the Emirates, while you were in your country of residence.
  • Received a job offer while in Dubai, or another Emirate, on a visitor or tourist visa.
  • You have a job in the UAE but you want to change companies.

5.1 Dubai work visa age limit 2022

The minimum age for any foreigner to obtain a work visa is 18 years. Of course, you must meet the requirements demanded by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). There is no Dubai work visa age limit, but the price is higher for those over 65.

In addition, foreigners can fall into one of the following categories, depending on their academic qualifications or skills:

  • The first category is for those with at least a degree of bachelor.
  • The second includes those who have a post-secondary diploma in any field.
  • The third and final category is for people with a high school diploma.

6. Dubai work visa price

The Dubai employment visa cost varies according to the categories mentioned above. In addition, it will depend on your educational level, and the workforce of the company, among other characteristics. Nevertheless, the costs of the entire process, including application fees, must be paid by the employer.

The Dubai working visa price is AED 200 for the initial application. As for the final approval, this will depend on the category for which the employee qualifies:

  • For category 1 the cost is AED 300.
  • Category 2 is divided into 3 levels, which will depend on the number of skilled and unskilled workers in the company.
  1. Level A, AED 600.
  2. Level B, AED 1,500.
  3. For Level C, AED2000.
  • For those in category three, the cost is AED 5,000.

In the case of workers who are over 65 years old, the price is AED 5000. Also, if you ask about the work visa for Dubai from India cost, it is the same as mentioned above. 

7. What is the validity of the working visa in the UAE?

The work permit UAE that you obtain for the first time will be valid for 30 days from its issuance. Also, you can extend it for an equal time. However, during those 60 days you will have to deal with the processing of the following documents:

  • The residence visa.
  • An ID from the United Arab Emirates.
  • The labor card.

Both the residence visa and the labor card are what allow you to work and live in the country. In this sense, the UAE working visa can be valid for between 1 and three years. This will depend on the purpose of your trip and the discretion of the relevant authorities.

8. Renewal of the employment visa in the UAE

The employer can renew the employment visa in the UAE of their employee, regardless of the initial duration of the visa. However, the company must do so within 30 days after the expiration date of the said visa. Also, you should know that with the expiration of the visa, your Emirates ID also expires.

If you do not renew within this time, you will have to face fines for an illegal stay. These fines consist of:

  • For the first 180 days (6 months) you will have to pay AED 25 per day.
  • For the following 6 months, the amount amounts to AED 50 per day.
  • After 1 year or more, the fine goes up to AED 100 per day.

Therefore, it is recommended that your employer begin the renewal process before the expiration date. Additionally, the renewal process of the work permit for the UAE is the same as the first application. Consequently, your sponsor is the one who must apply to the General Directorate of Residence and Foreign Affairs.

9. How can we help you with the UAE work visa application process?

The UAE working visa allows foreigners who want to work in the country to do so legally. However, they need a sponsor (company or company) who, through a job offer, can apply. This process is simple to carry out, you just need to have the necessary documentation and meet the eligibility criteria.

However, you may require the help of trained professionals specialized in visa-related procedures and immigration processes. We have the required experience so that this process can flow excellently and satisfactorily for you. In addition, you can ask for any of our agency‘s solutions in:

On EOR Middle East, we can help you learn all you should know about visa proceedings and more. Contact our specialized team via email at [email protected] to receive all the relevant information you need to know about regarding your future UAE work visa.

To apply for a job anywhere in the UAE, visit thetalentpoint.com. There are hundreds of openings each day! So do not wait any longer and send your CV to [email protected].

Francisco

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