Short-Term Work Visa in Dubai: A Guide to Project-Based Assignments
A project in Dubai may need a specialist for a few weeks rather than a permanent role. Perhaps an engineer must install equipment, a consultant needs to complete an implementation, or a trainer is travelling to work with your team.
If that person will perform work in Dubai, it is important to arrange the appropriate authorisation before the assignment begins. For an eligible professional coming from overseas, the solution may be a Mission Work Permit, commonly called a Mission Visa.
What Is a Short-Term Work Visa in Dubai?
A short term work visa in Dubai is a legal permit that lets a person work in the UAE for a few weeks or months, not years. The most common one is the Mission Visa, which lets a company bring a worker from abroad for up to 90 days. A UAE company must sponsor the visa, and the employer pays the fees.
There is no single visa called “short term work visa” in UAE law. The phrase covers a few different permits from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). This guide explains each one in simple words, so you can choose the right option in five minutes.
Types of short term work visas and permits in Dubai
| Worker’s situation | Option to consider |
|---|---|
| The worker is outside the UAE and the job lasts up to 90 days. | Mission Visa |
| The worker is already in the UAE on another visa and needs to work temporarily. | Temporary Work Permit (up to 6 months) |
| The worker already has a job and wants extra hours with a second company. | Part-Time Work Permit |
| The person holds a tourist or visit visa. | Do not start work. This visa does not give work rights. |
The Mission Visa: Dubai's main short term work visa
The Mission Visa is the most popular short term work visa in Dubai for people coming from abroad. Its official name is the Visit Visa for Work Assignment, and the UAE introduced it in February 2022.
Think of it like renting an expert instead of hiring them for years. You get a skilled person on the ground, working legally, without the full residence visa process.
Key facts:
- Duration: up to 90 days from the date of entry.
- Entry: single entry. If the worker leaves the UAE, the visa ends.
- Sponsor: a UAE company registered with MOHRE (or an approved free zone such as DDA or JAFZA).
- Quota: the company needs a mission visa quota before it can apply.
- No Emirates ID residency: the worker does not need a full residence setup.
- Worker rights: the worker is protected by UAE labour law during the assignment.
Who uses it:
- Engineers and technicians for installations and site projects
- Consultants, auditors and trainers
- Event and exhibition staff
- New hires on probation, before a full employment visa
- Seasonal or peak-time workers
Want the full details? Read our Mission Visa in Dubai service page, where TXM Solution handles the complete application for you.
Who can apply, and what documents you need
The employer applies, not the worker. A person cannot get a short term work visa in Dubai alone; a UAE company must sponsor it.
The employer needs:
- A valid trade licence and establishment card
- An active MOHRE account with a clean file (no pending fines)
- Mission visa quota approval
- A signed job offer or short-term contract for the worker
- Health insurance for the worker
The worker needs:
- Passport copy, valid for at least 6 months
- Passport-size photo with a white background
- Educational certificates, attested, if the job title needs them
- Professional licence approval for regulated jobs (doctors, nurses, teachers, pharmacists)
Exact requirements can change by job title and emirate. Talk to TXM for a checklist made for your case.
Bringing a specialist to Dubai for a short project?
How to get a short term work visa in Dubai: 6 simple steps
Here is how the Mission Visa process works from start to finish.
- Confirm the right visa. Check where the worker is and how long the job lasts (see the table above).
- Get quota approval. The employer requests mission visa quota from MOHRE.
- Submit the work permit application. The employer uploads the contract, passport copy and photo through MOHRE.
- Receive the entry permit. Once approved, the worker gets an e-visa to enter the UAE.
- Arrive and complete formalities. The worker enters the UAE and completes any required medical test and insurance steps.
- Start work legally. The worker can now work for the sponsoring company until the visa ends.
With TXM Solutions , steps 2 to 4 are handled by our team, so your business only shares documents and signs the offer.
How much does a short term work visa cost, and how long does it take?
The total cost depends on the company’s MOHRE category, the job title, insurance and medical fees. Industry guides put the all-in cost of a Mission Visa at around AED 3,000 to 9,000. Always ask for a written quote before you start.
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Who pays | The employer, always |
| Typical total cost (Mission Visa) | Around AED 3,000–9,000, depending on company category |
| Processing time with TXM | 4–5 working days, when documents are complete |
| Validity | Up to 90 days from entry |
5 common mistakes to avoid
- Working on a visit visa. A tourist or visit visa does not allow work. Fines and bans can follow for both the worker and the company.
- Leaving the UAE mid-assignment. The Mission Visa is single entry. If the worker exits, the visa is cancelled and a new one is needed.
- Asking the worker to pay. Visa fees are the employer’s cost by law.
- Choosing the wrong permit. Someone already in the UAE usually needs a Temporary Work Permit, not a Mission Visa.
- Letting the visa expire. Plan the exit, extension or switch to an employment visa before day 90.
Why businesses choose TXM Solutions for short term work visas
- MOHRE-licensed: we work directly within UAE labour rules, so your hire stays compliant.
- Fast processing: Mission Visas in 4–5 working days when documents are ready.
- One partner for everything: visas, recruitment, Employer of Record (EOR), PEO and HR outsourcing.
- No trade licence? No problem. Through our EOR service, TXM Solution can sponsor and employ the worker for you.
- Clear pricing: a written quote before we start, with no hidden fees.
- UAE Experience: local know-how across mainland and free zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a short term work visa in Dubai?
Yes. The main one is the Mission Visa, which lets a UAE company hire a worker from abroad for up to 90 days. People already in the UAE can use a Temporary Work Permit for up to 6 months.
How long is a short term work visa valid in Dubai?
A Mission Visa is valid for up to 90 days from entry. A Temporary Work Permit is valid for up to 6 months, or until the worker’s main residence visa expires, whichever comes first.
Can I apply for a short term work visa myself?
No. A visit or tourist visa does not allow any work. You need a work permit, such as a Mission Visa.
Can I work in Dubai on a visit visa?
The timeline depends on the employee’s documents, nationality, current visa status, occupation, work-permit eligibility, medical requirements, insurance and authority processing. An EOR can usually begin the employment process sooner because the foreign company does not first need to create its own employing entity.
How fast can I get a Mission Visa?
With TXM Solutions, a Mission Visa usually takes 4–5 working days once all documents are complete.
Can the worker leave and come back on the same Mission Visa?
Not today. The current Mission Visa is single entry. A new multiple-entry version has been announced, but its start date is not yet confirmed.
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Tom Mullens
Tom Mullens is a recruitment professional at TXM Solutions, specialising in Employer of Record (EOR), talent acquisition, and workforce solutions across the UAE and global markets. He shares practical insights on hiring, compliance, and business expansion.
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About TXM Solutions
TXM Solutions is a UK-headquartered, UAE-based, MOHRE-licensed workforce solutions company with 20+ years of experience. We support businesses across the UAE with reliable recruitment, manpower, visa, payroll, PRO, EOR, PEO, Emiratisation, and compliance-focused HR solutions.