UAE Work Visa: Complete Guide to Requirements, Cost and Process...
Read MoreEmployment Visa in Dubai
TXM Solutions is a MOHRE-licensed provider of employment visa services in Dubai, helping UAE businesses hire and retain staff since 2005. We manage new employment visa applications, renewals and cancellations from start to finish, with clear document guidance, end-to-end processing and dedicated support for fast, compliant employee onboarding.
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What is Employment Visain Dubai?
A UAE employment visa allows a foreign employee to live and work legally in the UAE. Your employer arranges your work permit, residence visa and Emirates ID. The work permit allows you to work, and the residence visa allows you to live in the country.
A standard employment residence visa is usually valid for 2 years and can be renewed while you remain employed. Your employer handles the application and pays the required costs.
Work permit
A work permit allows an employee to work legally for a specific employer. MOHRE issues work permits for mainland companies in the UAE.
Entry permit / change of status
Allows the employee to enter the UAE or change their visa status inside the country to complete the residence visa process. It is valid for 60 days.
Residency Visa
A residence visa allows an employee to live legally in the UAE under their employer’s sponsorship. It is issued by GDRFA Dubai.
Emirates ID
The employee’s official UAE identity card, issued by ICP. It is linked to their residence visa and is used for banking, SIM cards, renting a home and applying for a driving licence.
Key Features of an Employment visa in UAE
Employer Sponsorship
An employment visa in Dubai is sponsored by a UAE-registered employer, who manages the application and covers the required employment visa costs.
Legal Work Authorisation
A valid UAE work permit authorises employees to work for their employer, while an employment residence visa allows them to live in the UAE.
Visa Validity & Renewal
A standard employment visa in Dubai is valid for two years and can be renewed, subject to the issuing authority’s requirements.
Health Insurance
Employers provide mandatory health insurance in Dubai, covering medical care subject to the policy’s benefits.
Job Mobility
Employees can change employers through a MOHRE work permit transfer, subject to applicable requirements.
Family Sponsorship
Eligible UAE employment visa holders can sponsor their spouse and children, subject to salary and accommodation requirements.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Visa Type |
Employment residence visa (standard work visa) |
Purpose |
Allows employees to live in the UAE and work for their employer with the required work permit |
Sponsor |
UAE-based employer |
Typical Validity |
2 years, renewable subject to approval |
Application Process |
Work permit, entry permit or status adjustment, medical test, residence visa and Emirates ID |
Who Pays the Costs? |
The employer pays the required recruitment and employment visa processing costs. |
Best For |
Companies employing staff for ongoing roles in the UAE |
Governing Authorities |
MOHRE, ICP, or relevant Free Zone Authority |
How the UAE employment visa process works?
The employment visa process starts with the employer applying for a work permit, followed by entry or status change if needed, medical checks, Emirates ID registration and residence visa approval.
STEP 1
Eligibility, Quota & Document check
We check your company licence, visa quota and employee documents before applying.
STEP 2
Job offer, contract & work permit (MOHRE)
The employer and employee sign the official job offer. We then submit the work permit application with the required documents.
STEP 3
Entry permit ("pink visa") or change of status
Employees outside the UAE receive an entry permit. Those already inside may complete a status change without leaving, if eligible.
STEP 4
Medical fitness test & health insurance
The employee completes a blood test and chest X-ray at an approved medical fitness centre. A compliant health insurance policy is put in place.
STEP 5
Emirates ID biometrics & residence visa
The employee applies for an Emirates ID and completes biometrics if required. The residence visa is issued after approval.
STEP 6
Contract registration & onboarding compliance
We check the employment contract and work permit, support WPS payroll setup and explain ILOE insurance requirements.
Who can apply for a UAE employment visa?
Foreign nationals aged 18 or over who hold a confirmed job offer from a UAE-licensed employer or free zone entity, and who meet the health and professional requirements, can be sponsored for a UAE employment visa. A standard employment visa cannot be applied for independently. The sponsoring company submits it through MOHRE or the relevant free zone authority.
Employer and Employee requirements
The employer must have
- A valid trade licence (mainland or free zone) and an active establishment / immigration card. No trade licence? See below.
- An available electronic quota for the new position
- No registered violations that suspend the company’s MOHRE or immigration files
- A job title that matches the licensed business activity
- An authorised signatory to sign and submit the application
The employee must have
- A minimum age of 18 years (with limited exceptions such as juvenile or student training permits)
- A passport valid for at least 6 months
- A signed MOHRE-format offer letter and employment contract
- Attested degree or diploma where the role is classed as skilled
- Medical fitness confirmed at an approved UAE centre, including screening for communicable diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis
- Mandatory health insurance, which the employer arranges and pays for
- No other active UAE work permit, which must be cancelled or transferred first
What Documents are required for a UAE employment visa
UAE employment visa documents include the employer’s company records and the employee’s passport, photograph and employment documents. Additional requirements depend on whether the employee is outside the UAE, already in the country or renewing an existing visa. Select the relevant category below to view the checklist.
- Valid trade licence copy
- Establishment (immigration) card
- MOHRE establishment registration with available quota
- Authorised signatory's Emirates ID and e-signature card
- Job title, salary and contract terms for the position
- Health insurance policy for the employee
- Passport copy valid for 6+ months
- Recent colour photo on a white background
- Degree or diploma attested in the home country, by the UAE embassy there and by MOFA in the UAE (skilled roles)
- Signed MOHRE offer letter
- Entry permit copy, which we provide once issued, for travel
- Passport copy valid for 6+ months
- Current visit visa or residence visa page
- Recent colour photo on a white background
- Attested certificates (skilled roles)
- Cancellation of the previous work permit or residence, if moving from another sponsor
- Signed MOHRE offer letter
- Passport copy valid for 6+ months
- Current Emirates ID
- Recent colour photo on a white background
- Valid health insurance policy
- Medical fitness test, where required
- Renewed employment contract terms
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Fast & Reliable Processing Support
Why companies choose TXM Solutions for employment visas in Dubai
With over 20 years of experience, TXM Solutions understands UAE regulations, global hiring, and what it takes to succeed in a competitive market.
Licensed & established
MOHRE-approved and licensed by the Government of Dubai, operating from Al Karama since 2005 as part of TXM Group.
One point of contact
A dedicated account manager in Dubai handles MOHRE, GDRFA, medical and Emirates ID for you. You don’t have to deal with five offices.
Sponsor without an entity
Hire in Dubai before, or instead of, setting up a company. Your employee is sponsored under TXM Solution’s licence through our EOR service.
Emiratisation-aware
Quota and Emiratisation guidance helps protect your company category and future permits.
Built for volume
Batch processing, a status tracker and renewal alerts for HR teams handling dozens of visas a year.
Compliance built in
Health insurance, ILOE reminders and WPS-compliant payroll are covered, so the visa stays valid after day one
What Our Clients Say
G
4.4
★★★★★
Based on Google ReviewsTXM Solutions guided us through the employment visa process clearly. Their team checked our employees’ documents, explained each step and kept us updated, making it easier to coordinate joining dates for our new hires.
James Bennett
We appreciated the clear communication throughout our employment visa applications. The team answered our questions promptly and highlighted missing documents early, helping our HR department stay organised and prepare for the next steps.
Ahmed Hassan
Applying for my UAE employment visa felt straightforward with TXM Solutions. The team explained the required documents, kept me informed about progress and helped me understand what to expect at each stage
Daniel Thomas
Employment Visa vs other UAE Work Visas
Choosing the right UAE work visa depends on the role, assignment length and sponsorship arrangements. Compare the employment visa with other options below to find the route that best suits your hiring needs.
| Route | Sponsor | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Employment visa | The employer (or TXM Solution as Employer of Record) | Full-time employees of a UAE company. It is the standard route for most hires. |
| Mission visa | The employer | Short-term project or assignment work in the UAE |
| Freelance visa / permit | Self, through an authority or free zone | Independent professionals working for several clients |
| Golden visa | Self-sponsored (5 or 10 years) | Long-term residency. Private-sector employment still needs a MOHRE work permit from the employer. |
Not sure which route fits? Read our comparison of the mission visa vs employment visa, or ask our team.
Employment visa cost in Dubai
There is no single employment visa cost for every employee. The total depends on the work permit route, your company’s MOHRE classification, where the employee is now, and which procedures their case needs.
The employer pays the required recruitment and employment processing costs. Under UAE Labour Law, these must not be passed on to the employee as recruitment charges.
What affects your employment visa cost
- Company's MOHRE category
- Mainland or free zone licence
- Employee inside or outside the UAE
- Visa validity and job classification
- Standard or express medical service
- Health insurance plan selected
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Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions
No. A standard UAE employment visa requires sponsorship by an eligible UAE employer, who submits the application. People holding a family-sponsored or Golden Visa may retain their existing residency, but still need the appropriate work permit to work for a company.
An eligible employee already in the UAE may complete an in-country status adjustment through the required applications. Their current visa status must be reviewed. Working on a tourist visa is not permitted.
Yes, with the appropriate work permit. MOHRE provides permit routes for family-sponsored residents and Golden Visa holders. Their residence visa alone does not authorise employment.
No. Academic document requirements depend on the occupation and skill classification. Regulated professions may also require a professional licence or approval.
A medical fitness examination is part of the employment residence process for adult applicants, subject to the issuing authority’s requirements.
Health insurance must be arranged as part of the employment and residence requirements. The employer must provide the required employee coverage. Your quotation should specify whether the insurance premium is included and explain the policy coverage.
Eligible residents can sponsor their spouse and children, subject to salary, accommodation, documentation and other sponsorship requirements. Parent sponsorship has separate conditions.
Yes, through the appropriate work permit process and subject to applicable employment obligations. For MOHRE-registered companies, eligible cases may use a transfer work permit. Residence requirements must also be addressed.
Yes, when the relevant requirements are met. Employers should review the employee’s work permit, residence visa, health insurance and Emirates ID expiry dates before starting renewal.
The employer normally completes the required employment contract and work permit cancellation before cancelling the employment residence visa through the relevant immigration authority. Outstanding employee entitlements must also be settled.
The permitted grace period depends on the residence category and issuing authority. Confirm the employee’s exact deadline through their cancellation record or the relevant immigration authority.
Keep the transaction and application reference numbers. Work permit applications can be tracked through MOHRE’s channels, while Dubai immigration applications can be tracked through GDRFA Dubai.
Pink visa" is the common name for the employment entry permit. It is issued once the work permit is approved, lets the employee travel to the UAE, and is typically valid for 60 days. Employees already in the UAE get an in-country change of status instead.
Start Your Employment Visa Application Today
Hiring employees in Dubai? TXM Solutions helps your business with document preparation, work permit applications, residence visa processing and renewals. Speak to our team about your hiring requirements.