For people from outside ( of the UAE) are required to get a work permit and a working visa in UAE, in order to legally be employed in the country. The work visa allows a person to legally reside and work in the country for a defined period of time.
How to apply for a working visa?
One of the main things to consider is that a work visa or employment permit is provided by the employer. Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) issues the work permit. So the employer needs to apply to MoHRE for the work permit, which is then converted into a valid residency visa. The permit is valid for only two months. In this duration only, the employee needs to arrange all the formalities like medical testing, Emirates ID, Labour Card, and residency visa.
Foreign nationals are required to have the following documents to get a work permit/visa in Dubai:
- A complete application form
- Photograph against a white background
- Copy of passport (which is valid for a minimum of 6 months)
- A health certificate
- An entry permit issued by the Ministry of Labor
- Application fee payment proof
- Copy of education certificates required for the job (attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in their respective country).
Note: According to Article 1 of Ministry Decree No. 766 of 2015 an employee whose employment was terminated before the expiry of his contract, whether limited or non-limited can apply for the new work permit whenever he wishes to join new employment.
Medical testing:
You are also required to take medical fitness tests at government-approved health centers in Dubai. This is necessary for both – new work visas applicants and also for renewals one.
Other necessary steps include:
- The employer needs to apply for approval from the Ministry of Labor to hire a foreign employee.
- The Ministry issues an entry permit visa, that will permit the employee to enter in UAE and get to stay for initial 30 days of time.
- Once the employee enters in UAE, he/she will get 60 days to obtain a residence visa.
- Once the employee arrives in Dubai, the employer will begin the process of applying for a work permit- also called a labor card(not applicable for free-zone).
- The employee is required to visit an Emirates ID service center with their valid passport and entry visa to get an ID.
- The employee goes for a medical examination at a government hospital.
- The employer is required to apply for a residence visa through the immigration authorities.
- The employer also needs to bring all the required documents to the Department of Naturalization and Residency Dubai (DNRD), where the residence visa will be stamped onto their passport.
Costs:
The new work permit fee varies for free-zone and mainland companies. So, the actual cost needs to be checked with respective authorities.