Learn everything you need to know about getting a work permit and a work visa in the UAE

Find a job first, which can be done through classified sites such as Getthat.com

Now this works in three ways:

1. You could be hired from overseas;
2. You are in the UAE on a visit/tourist visa and find a job; or
3. Already have a job but are moving to another company.

It’s not complicated, don’t worry. It’s quite simple.

Here are a few things you need to know:

• It begins with a work permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
• Initially, the company/organization that hired you must offer you a permit/employment entry, after which they will convert it into a residency visa.
• A work permit allows the holder to enter the UAE for employment, and it is valid for two months from the date of issuance.
• Within 60 days of an employee entering the UAE with a work permit, the sponsoring company will arrange for the employee to complete the formalities of medical testing, obtain a UAE Resident Identity (Emirates ID) Card, and obtain the UAE Residency Visa on his passport.
• A UAE Residency Visa on an employee’s passport indicates that he is sponsored by the company he works for.
• Work permits, medical testing, Emirates IDs, and UAE residency visas are all covered by the employer.
• When an employee receives a visa, he/she can sponsor their family members and bring them into the country.

Important note

Signing job offers from abroad

• You can obtain a work permit by exiting the UAE, whether to a neighboring country or your home country, if you are on a tourist or visitor visa. There are airlines, such as Air Arabia and Fly Dubai, offering this ‘visa run’ facility on the Dubai-Oman-Dubai leg.
• The company can also change its status within the country by applying to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDFRA) of the emirate in which the company is located, which works in tandem with the federal government authority MoHRE.
• If you are hired from abroad, the MoHRE and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation have locations outside of the UAE. Through the centers, employees would be able to learn their rights, duties, and basic terms and conditions of employment, and all the privileges they are entitled to, in the language they understand. The mechanism ensures a transparent contractual relationship between employers and employees and prevents any fraudulent attempt to replace job offers after the employee arrives in the UAE.

The status of a job applicant can be changed by a company, in order to apply for a work permit, without the person having to exit the UAE, through a ‘Changed Status’ process by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDFRA) of the emirate that the company is located in. This works in tandem with the federal authority – the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).– UAE visa process

To apply for a work permit, what documents will a company need from you?

1. An image in color with a white background.
2. A copy of your passport, which must be valid for at least six months.
3. Academic qualifications (post-secondary diploma, university degree, or equivalent) must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the home country.
4. For a physician, pharmacist, nurse, or teacher, an approval letter is required (your employer will provide you with instructions).
5. You must be at least 18 years old.
6. You should have qualifications that are in line with the company’s activity.

You should be able to get a work permit within a week or so if everything goes according to plan – assuming your employer follows due process.

Age is not a limiting factor in hiring; hiring depends on the job’s skill requirements

It is widely known that one cannot get a work permit if he/she is under the age of 18 years, but is there an upper age limit for ex-pats?

• As amended, UAE Labour Law No. 8 of 1980 does not specify a particular age at which employment contracts may be terminated on the basis of seniority or age.
• The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) charges AED 5,000 every two years for approving a work permit for those who are 65 and older.

According to Article 1 of Ministerial Decree No. 766 of 2015, employees whose employment is terminated due to the expiry of their contracts, whether limited or non-limited, can get a new work permit when they seek employment elsewhere.

A new work permit can also be obtained for all limited and unlimited contracts if:

• It is determined whether an employer has failed to meet legal and contractual obligations, including but not limited to failure to pay wages for more than 60 days.
• In this case, MoHRE confirms that the employer has not provided work due to the firm being inactive for more than two months and whether the worker reports to the ministry during this time.
• The final ruling in a labor case (which MoHRE refers to the Labour Court based on a complaint) is in the employee’s favor when it pertains to early dismissal or unpaid wages that are less than two months overdue.

In addition to the two types of contracts, there are also the two categories of skilled and unskilled workers – information you should know:

New permits for unskilled workers

• During the contract term, a new permit can be granted if both the worker and the employer agree to terminate the contract after the worker has completed at least six months of employment.
• It was noted in the ministerial decree that a new permit can be issued to a worker whose employer terminated him unfairly without having to wait six months.

New permits for skilled workers

• Those who qualify for the skill set series 1, 2, or 3 as defined by the ministerial decree, which denotes holding a university degree, postsecondary diploma, or high school diploma, may waive the six-month employment requirement. If the employee fulfills his contractual obligations, then this is applicable.

Upon receiving the permit, you can begin the process of applying for a work visa that will allow you to work in the UAE.

• Generally, expatriate employees are issued a residential visa for a period of one or two years based on their employment contract. There are also open and closed contracts.
• Open contracts are renewed as many times as the company wants to keep you on staff.
• A closed contract has a fixed term.
• The length of a residence visa depends on the type of sponsor and the person sponsored. It is issued for one, or two, or three years. The visa is renewed under the same conditions as fresh visas.
• An overview of the UAE work visa process.

Employment contracts in the private sector

There are two types of employment contracts under UAE Labour Law No. 8 of 1980. The differences lie in the provisions for end-of-service gratuities and terminations.

• Limited-term contract or (fixed-term contract)
• Unlimited term contract.
• By virtue of a ministerial resolution, the UAE implemented the part-time contract system in 2018.

Limited-term contract (fixed-term)

• Limited-term contracts generally state the start and end dates of the employment period. When a contract expires, it is automatically canceled unless it is renewed.
• A company uses these contracts when it needs to hire employees for specific projects or for a specific period of time.
• Recent labor market reforms in the UAE limit the duration of limited-term contracts to two years. The contract must also include termination provisions. Consult Ministerial Resolution No. 765 of 2015 on Termination of Employment Relations.

Unlimited term contracts

• Unlimited term contracts are open-ended, more flexible, and common in the UAE. It can be terminated by mutual agreement or by giving a notice of one to three months. Each party must honor their obligations during the notice period.
• An employment contract is considered to have ended without due process if either the employer or employee terminates the employment contract without following legally mandated procedures.
• As a result, the wronged party may initiate legal action and compensation.

Multi-employer contract

MoHRE implemented a new rule in 2018, which allows the companies to hire skilled workers from inside the country or from abroad through multi-employer contracts. Skilled workers can only be hired under these contracts, including holders of university degrees or higher, and those who have completed a two or three-year diploma in a technical or scientific field.

• As part of this new system, part-time contract employees will be able to take several part-time jobs without getting approval from the original or other secondary employers; however, they are required to apply for a permit from MoHRE.
• In the UAE, part-time employment contracts are subject to the same rules and penalties as regular employment contracts: limited or unlimited.
• After a part-time employment contract ends, it cannot be changed to a regular employment contract.

Responsibilities of the original/primary employer

In a part-time contract, the original employer is responsible for:

1. According to UAE work permit fees linked to the company classification system, the part-time contract fees are administered by MoHRE.
2. The employee’s annual leave.
3. The employee’s end-of-service benefits.
4. Any other financial obligations based on the number of actual working hours and the wage earner.

Furthermore, the original/primary employer may not require the worker to work more than the agreed hours or prevent him from working in a similar facility under the non-competition clause or from disclosing the secrets of that facility.

Medical fitness requirement

In order to obtain or renew a residence visa, all expatriates, males, and females must take and pass medical fitness tests at government-approved health centers in the UAE.

An applicant for a residency visa in the UAE, whether applying for the first time or renewing, will be tested for two communicable diseases:

• HIV (by testing their blood) and;
• Pulmonary tuberculosis (by taking an x-ray of their chest).

Those with HIV or tuberculosis will be deemed medically unfit and therefore will not be granted a residency permit. They will be deported immediately.

Patients with dormant or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are also considered medically fit.

Upon treatment and follow-up by the Department of Preventive Medicine or equivalent government health authority, they are granted a one-year “Health Fitness Certificate for Residence.”.

If you suspect that you are suffering from a communicable disease, you should get tested in your home country first.

You need to know:

For expatriates to qualify for a work/residence permit, they need to be free from all forms of communicable diseases, such as HIV and TB.

In order to be able to obtain a clear work/residence permit, expatriates need to be free of all forms of communicable diseases such as HIV and TB. Hence, if you suspect to be suffering from a communicable disease it is advisable to get yourself tested in your home country first – Work visa requirements

To be able to obtain a work/residence permit, expatriates must be free of all communicable diseases such as HIV and TB. It is advisable to get yourself tested in your home country if you suspect to be suffering from a communicable disease.

The following categories of workers should also test negative for syphilis and Hepatitis B:

• Workers in nurseries
• Domestic workers such as housemaids, nannies, and chauffeurs
• Restaurant and cafe workers who handle food
• Workers in saloons and beauty centers
• Workers in health clubs
• Domestic workers must not be pregnant

Important note: In 2016, a new Cabinet Resolution was passed. In accordance with this resolution, all resident expatriates must undergo TB screening when renewing their residence visas.

Individuals with scars or active tuberculosis or those with drug-resistant TB will be issued a conditional fitness certificate and a one-year residence visa. They must then undergo treatment in the UAE.

Where are government medical fitness centers located?

UAE, Dubai, and Shariah all have several medical fitness centers. Medical examination centers for residency offered by the Ministry of Health and Prevention – Preventive Medicine Department are also available.

Medical examination for Residency

You can take your medical examination regarding the issuance of a residence visa at a medical examination center near you.

Services offered at the centers

• Printing of Residence visa forms.
• Conducting of medical examination.
• Issuance of Emirates ID to preventive medicine departments only
• Documents Required
• Valid passport copy
• Valid Residence Permit/Visa copy.
• Two passport-size photographs on a white background.
• A copy of your Emirates ID (only if you are renewing your residence visa).

Service Locations

Medical examination centers for UAE Residency Visa process in shopping malls

• Ibn Battuta Mall Dubai – Jebel Ali, China Court, Besides DEWA Customer Happiness center, 04-8804762, MEC.IBN@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday, Saturday – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Applications accepted only till one hour before closing
• Dragon Mart 2 Dubai – International City, First floor, Near Novo Cinemas, 04-2326615, MEC.DG2@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday, Applications accepted only till one hour before closing, Saturday – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Applications accepted only till one hour before closing
• Spring Souk Mall Dubai – Jebel Ali, Springs Shopping Center, 1st floor – near Reel cinema, 04-4274431, Spring.DXB@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Saturday – Thursday
• Salah Al Deen Street (19/b), Al Muraqqabat, Opposite to Al Reef Mall and Salah El Deen Metro Station, 04-4274431, MEC.SalahElDeen.DXB@moh.gov.ae, 7:30 AM- 7:30 PM, Sunday-Thursday
• Al Khobaisi Dubai – Deira, Al Ittihad Street (22), Behind Hyundai Agency, 04-2355524, MEC.AlKhobaisi.DXB@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday
• Al Nahda Center Dubai-Deira, Al Nahda Area 1, Al Ittihad Street (4), Near Tadbeer Center, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday-Thursday, 04-2638833, MEC.AlNahda.DXB@moh.gov.ae
• Al Khibrah Center Sharjah-Industrial Area (10) near the industrial police station (10), 06-7489547, MEC.AlKhibrah.SHJ@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Saturday – Thursday
• Mushrif Health Centre Ajman, Al Ittihad Street near Emirates Telecommunication Corporation Company, 06-7455900, MEC.Mushairif.AJM@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday-Thursday
• Sahara Center Sharjah – Al Nahda Area Sahara Center – basement, 06-5313666, MEC.Sahara.SHJ@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday
• Al Ibdaa Center Sharjah Industrial area 18 Al Maliha street Showroom 3, 4, 06-7429800, MEC.AlIbdaa.SHJ@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday-Thursday
• Al Dahan center Ras al Khaimah, Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem Street near the red Twilight car upholstery shop, 07-2224900, MEC.Dahan.RAK@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday
• Service Charges: 48 hours (AED 110 including VAT)

The Ministry of Health and Prevention Preventive Medicine Departments

• Preventive Medicine Center – Dubai (Al Baraha), 04-2731161, dxb.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
• Preventive medicine Center – Al Ghubaiba, 06-5662111, shj.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM
• Examination Center of Expatriate Labour in the Industrial Area, 06-5421442, shj.pmd@moh.gov.ae Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
• Preventive Medicine Center – Kalba, 09-2031256, kal.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Wednesday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
• Preventive Medicine Centre – Dibba Al Hisn, 09-2444455, shj.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
• Preventive Medicine Center – Khorfakkan, 09-2384664, khor.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
• Preventive medicine Center – Al Dhaid, 06-8822221, dhd.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
• Preventive Medicine Center – Fujairah, 09-2227114, fuj.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
• Preventive Medicine Centre – Ras Al Khaimah, 07-2223111, rak.pmd@moh.gov.ae
• Preventive Medicine Center – Ajman, 06-7031700, ajm.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM Sunday and Tuesday 5:00 PM to 10 PM
• Preventive Medicine Center – Umm Al Quwain, 06-7649393, uaq.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM Tuesday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM 5:00PM to 10:00 PM Service Charges: 48hrs.
• (Subject to 105 AED Service charge)

Medical Examination Packages

1. (Excluding vaccinations and female household domestic service) – AED 260
2. All Categories (including vaccination) – AED 310
3. Female House Hold Domestic Service – AED 360

How to get an Emirates ID?

To complete your visa application, you must submit this document. This is a digital national identification system that is required for most transactions in the UAE. The system is linked to your passport and visa – it is a centralized national system.

But, worry not. Here is all the information you’ll need to get your Emirates ID online: Get your Emirates ID

Once this is done, you simply need to wait until your employer completes the process and attaches the residence visa to your original passport. It can take anywhere from five days to a month, depending on your employer.

Upon obtaining a visa, you can bring in your family if the requirements are met.

How will you get your family to the UAE once you’re done with the visa process?

Expatriate residents can sponsor their families in the UAE as long as they have a valid residency permit.

A resident employed in the UAE can sponsor his immediate family members, such as his wife and children, under conditions, including a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.

Since March 2019, the type of profession is not a criterion for an expatriate worker to sponsor his family.

Male residents who are employed in the UAE can sponsor their immediate family members, such as wife and children, subject to conditions, which include the minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Now, an expatriate can bring over his family members to the UAE and sponsor their residence visas regardless of his profession, as long as he maintains the ‘income criteria’ or the minimum wage requirement, which is a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation– UAE visa process

Male residents of the UAE can sponsor their immediate family members, such as their wife and children, under certain conditions, which include a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus housing. Now, an expatriate can sponsor his family members’ residency visas regardless of his profession as long as he meets the ‘income criteria’, which is a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.

The UAE government amended its previous provision under which only listed professionals could apply for family sponsorship visas.

Now, an expatriate can bring over his family members to the UAE and sponsor their residence visas regardless of his profession, as long as he maintains the ‘income criteria’ or the minimum wage requirement, which is a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Check with the relevant GDRFA (based on the emirate your visa is from, here are some quick links for Dubai and Abu Dhabi) for more information.

Under the UAE government’s previous policy, only listed professionals could apply for a family sponsorship visa.

Expatriates can bring over their family members to the UAE and sponsor their residence visas regardless of their profession, as long as they meet the ‘income criteria’, which is a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. To find out more, contact the GDRFA (based on the emirate your visa is from, here are some quick links for Dubai and Abu Dhabi).

Additionally, if the father of the family lives in the UAE and meets the requirements for sponsoring his children, the mother cannot sponsor them.

Sponsors have 60 days after their dependents enter the UAE to apply for their dependents’ residence visas and change their status from an entry permit holder to a resident visa holder.

According to the nature of the work and employment contract of the sponsoring family member, family members are issued visas for one or two years.

The visa duration of sponsored residents, except for adult males who are continuing their education and sponsored parents, is the same as their sponsors. The residence visa for adult males and parents is granted on a yearly basis, regardless of the sponsor’s visa duration.

Sponsoring your wife and children

The spouse and children of an expatriate resident may be sponsored by him if he meets the sponsorship requirements set by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

• In order to sponsor his spouse, the expatriate resident must submit an authenticated marriage certificate in Arabic or duly translate it into Arabic by a certified translator.
• A Muslim resident may sponsor two wives if he meets certain terms and conditions set by the respective GDRFA.
• In the case of a male child, an expatriate resident may sponsor his/her daughter/s only if they are/are unmarried.
• After October 21, 2018, students who graduate from their universities or secondary schools or complete 18 years of age will be granted a one-year residence visa, renewable for another year after their graduation date or 18 years of age.
• Parents are not required to make bank deposits for this type of visa. Visa renewals will cost AED100.
• Parents must present duly attested graduation certificates from universities or schools, whether in or out of the country.
• Important note: An expatriate resident may also sponsor his stepchildren, subject to GDRFA’s conditions, which include a deposit for each child and a written no-objection letter from the biological parent. Their residence visas are valid for one year and are renewable annually.

Required documents to sponsor your wife and children include:

• You can apply online or at a registered typing office
• Passport copies of the wife and children
• Photos of the wife and children
• Certificate of medical clearance for the wife and children over 18
• Copies of the husband’s employment contract or company contract
• Certificate from the employer stating the employee’s monthly salary
• Attested marriage certificate
• Registered tenancy contract
• Latest utility bill

How can you sponsor your parents?

• The expatriate employee can sponsor his parents for a year by paying a deposit to the respective immigration department as a guarantee. This is refundable.
• An expatriate employee cannot sponsor only one parent. He must sponsor both parents together. Moreover, he must provide proof that he is their sole support and there is no one to look after them back home.
• If one of the parents has passed away or the parents are divorced, he must provide the related official documents to prove his right to sponsor only one parent.
• Sponsoring parents requires an employed expatriate resident to earn a minimum salary and obtain a medical insurance policy for each parent with a minimum coverage amount, which shall be renewed every year. The GDFRA in Dubai stipulates a minimum salary of AED 20,000 or a monthly pay of AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom apartment to sponsor parents.

How can a woman sponsor her family?

Women can sponsor their families, too

• A woman in Abu Dhabi is eligible to sponsor her husband and children if she holds a residence permit stating that she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse, or any other profession related to the medical sector, and if her monthly salary is not less than AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 plus accommodation. Additional documents are required by the relevant authority.
• Even if a woman is not employed in one of these categories, she can still sponsor her family if her monthly salary exceeds AED 10,000 and she has special permission from the GDFRA.
• Single mothers can sponsor their children. Documents similar to those needed to sponsor stepchildren may be requested by the authorities.

If you quit or lose your job, what happens to your family’s visa?

1. The residence permit for the family is linked to the residence permit of the sponsoring ex-pat employee. If the sponsoring family member’s visa is revoked, the dependents’ visas must also be revoked.
2. Dependents have a grace period of 30 days from the date their visa expires or is canceled to obtain a new residence permit.
3. The employee may be liable for paying a fine if he fails to renew or cancel the visa of his dependents.

A great toll-free number for MoHRE to have: 800-60