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

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:

Important note

Signing job offers from abroad

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?

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:

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

New permits for skilled workers

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

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 (fixed-term)

Unlimited term contracts

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.

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:

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:

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

Service Locations

Medical examination centers for UAE Residency Visa process in shopping malls

The Ministry of Health and Prevention Preventive Medicine Departments

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).

Required documents to sponsor your wife and children include:

How can you sponsor your parents?

How can a woman sponsor her family?

Women can sponsor their families, too

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

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