UAE Work Permit for Golden Visa Holders: Requirements, Process and Cost

Holding a UAE Golden Visa gives you long-term residency and the flexibility to live in the country without relying on an employer for residence sponsorship. However, there is one important requirement that Golden Visa holders and employers should not overlook:

Golden Visa holders must have a valid work permit to work legally in the UAE.

If you accept a job with a mainland private-sector company, your employer must obtain the appropriate work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation – MOHRE. If you work for a free-zone company, the employer must obtain the relevant employment permit or non-sponsored employment card from its free-zone authority.

This guide explains who needs a work permit, how the application works, the documents required and what Golden Visa holders should do before starting a new job.

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Does a Golden Visa Holder Need a Work Permit in the UAE?

Yes. A Golden Visa holder who wants to work as an employee in the UAE must generally have valid work authorisation for that employment.

The Golden Visa confirms your right to reside in the UAE. A work permit confirms that you are legally authorised to work for a particular employer under an approved employment arrangement.

Under Article 6 of the UAE Labour Law, an individual cannot legally work in the UAE private sector without a valid work permit. An employer is also prohibited from employing a worker before the appropriate permit has been issued. The UAE Government specifically lists a Golden Visa holder work permit among the work permits issued by MOHRE. UAE Government – Work Permits

Therefore, having a Golden Visa does not mean that you can join a mainland company without completing the MOHRE employment process.

Golden Visa Versus UAE Work Permit

Although the two documents are connected, they serve different purposes

Golden Visa	Work Permit
Provides long-term UAE residency	Provides legal authorisation for employment
Normally based on self-sponsorship	Connected to an employer or approved work arrangement
Issued through the UAE immigration authorities	Issued by MOHRE or the relevant free-zone authority
Can remain valid independently of a particular employer	Must normally be updated or cancelled when employment changes
Does not replace the employer’s employment compliance obligations	Records and regulates the employment relationship

Your Golden Visa may continue even if you leave your job, subject to its own validity and eligibility conditions. However, the work permit connected to the previous employment must be properly cancelled.

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Who Can Apply for a Golden Visa Holder Work Permit?

The MOHRE work permit service is intended for establishments that want to employ a Golden Visa holder who is already residing inside the UAE.

The employer – not the Golden Visa holder personally – normally submits the application. The company must be registered with MOHRE and meet the Ministry’s requirements.

The permit may be required when:

A Golden Visa holder who was not previously employed accepts a private-sector job.
An existing employer renews the employment contract and work permit of a Golden Visa holder.
A Golden Visa holder leaves one company and joins another employer.

MOHRE originally introduced this work permit specifically to support these employment situations. MOHRE – Work Permit for Golden Visa Holders

Mainland and Free-Zone Work Permit Requirements

The correct application route depends on where the employer is registered.

Working for a mainland company

If you are joining a mainland private-sector company, the employer must generally apply for the Golden Visa holder work permit through MOHRE.

Once approved, the employee receives formal work authorisation and an approved employment contract. The employer must also follow applicable UAE Labour Law, payroll and Wage Protection System requirements.

Working for a free-zone company

If the employer is registered in a UAE free zone, the application is usually handled by that free zone’s authority rather than MOHRE.

Depending on the free zone, the Golden Visa holder may receive a non-sponsored employment card, identity card or another form of work authorisation. The name, validity, documents, cost and procedure can vary between free zones.

Golden Visa holders should therefore confirm whether their prospective employer is registered with MOHRE or under a particular free-zone authority before beginning the application.

Documents Required for a MOHRE Work Permit

The documents commonly required for a Golden Visa holder work permit include:

A clear colour photograph with a white background
A copy of the employee’s valid passport
A copy of the valid UAE Golden Visa or residence permit
The official MOHRE job offer signed by the employer and employee
Academic certificates where required for the job’s skill classification
A professional licence for occupations that require regulatory approval

Professional licences may be required for regulated roles such as doctors, nurses, teachers, legal professionals and certain other specialised occupations.

The occupation stated in the application must also be compatible with the company’s licensed business activity. The employer must hold a valid trade licence and must not have violations that prevent it from obtaining work permits.

Requirements can vary according to the employee’s profession, skill level and the employer’s regulatory status. Documents should therefore be reviewed before submission.

How to Apply for a Golden Visa Work Permit

The application normally follows these steps:

1. Confirm the employer’s jurisdiction

Determine whether the employer is a mainland company registered with MOHRE or a company operating under a UAE free-zone authority.

2. Prepare the job offer

The employer prepares the official employment offer containing the employee’s job title, salary and employment terms. The offer must be reviewed and signed by both parties.

3. Collect the required documents

The passport, Golden Visa, photograph, academic qualifications and any required professional licence are collected and checked.

4. Submit the application

An authorised representative of the company submits the work permit application through MOHRE or the relevant free-zone employment system.

A Golden Visa holder cannot usually complete the mainland employer application independently because the service is directed to the employing establishment.

5. Complete government review

The responsible authority reviews the company details, proposed occupation, employee documents and employment offer. If any information is missing, the employer may be asked to provide additional documents.

6. Pay the applicable fees

Government and service fees are paid after the application has passed the required review stages.

7. Receive the permit and approved contract

Once the application is approved, the work permit and employment contract are issued or electronically approved. The employee should only begin working after the required authorisation is in place.

How Long Does the Process Take?

MOHRE lists a service completion time of approximately two working days for the issuance of a Golden Visa holder work permit once the correct application and documents have been submitted.

However, the complete process may take longer if:

Documents are missing or unclear.
The job requires an academic certificate or professional approval.
The occupation does not match the company’s activity.
The employee already has an active work permit.
The employer’s MOHRE file has a compliance issue.
Additional verification is requested.

Preparing and verifying the documents before submission can help reduce avoidable delays.

How Long Is the Work Permit Valid?

The MOHRE work permit for Golden Visa holders is generally valid for two years.

The employment permit can be renewed when required, provided that the employee, employer and employment arrangement continue to satisfy the applicable requirements.

The validity of the work permit is separate from the validity of the Golden Visa. Employers should monitor both documents independently.

How Much Does a Golden Visa Holder Work Permit Cost?

MOHRE’s current service listing shows a federal application fee, while additional costs may depend on the application channel and services required. Business-centre charges, tax, document preparation, typing and professional support may be separate.

Because government fees and procedural requirements can change, employers and Golden Visa holders should obtain a current quotation based on the company, jurisdiction, job title and required services before applying.

Need a Quote for Your Work Permit Application?

Send TXM Solutions your Golden Visa copy, job title and employer details to receive an application assessment and quotation.

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Can a Golden Visa Holder Change Jobs?

Yes. One of the major advantages of the Golden Visa is that the individual’s long-term residence is not normally sponsored by the employer.

However, this does not remove the work permit requirements when changing companies.

When moving to a new employer:

The previous work permit should be properly cancelled.
Employment-related obligations with the previous employer should be completed.
The new employer must obtain the appropriate work permit.
The Golden Visa holder should not start working until the new authorisation is issued.

The Golden Visa itself does not usually need to be cancelled merely because the holder changes employers, provided that the visa remains valid and the holder continues to satisfy its conditions.

What Happens When Employment Ends?

When a Golden Visa holder resigns or the employment relationship ends, the employer should formally cancel the related work permit and employment contract.

Work permit cancellation is important even though the individual’s Golden Visa may remain valid. An active permit connected to a previous company can create difficulties when the employee joins another employer.

Employers must also complete any required final settlement and employment records in accordance with UAE labour regulations.

Common Mistakes Golden Visa Holders Should Avoid

Starting work using only the Golden Visa

A Golden Visa is not a substitute for the required work authorisation. Confirm that the permit has been issued before beginning formal employment.

Applying through the wrong authority

Mainland and free-zone companies follow different application systems. Always identify the employer’s jurisdiction first.

Assuming the employee must apply

For a mainland position, the employing company normally submits the MOHRE application through its authorised representative.

Using an incorrect job title

The job title must be compatible with the employer’s licensed activity and may need to match the employee’s qualifications or professional licence.

Forgetting to cancel the previous permit

A previous work permit should be cancelled before a new employer completes the next employment application.

How TXM Solutions Can Help

TXM Solutions is a MOHRE-licensed workforce and visa service provider in Dubai with more than 20 years of UAE market experience.

We support Golden Visa holders and their employers by helping with:

Work permit requirement assessment
Document verification
MOHRE job offer and employment documentation
Golden Visa holder work permit processing
Application follow-up and status coordination
Work permit renewal, amendment and cancellation
UAE employment and workforce compliance support

Whether you are a Golden Visa holder starting a new job or a company hiring Golden Visa professionals, our team can guide you through the correct employment authorisation process. Please check our golden visa services for more details.

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Do you already hold a UAE Golden Visa and plan to start a new job?

Do not risk delays or employment compliance problems by beginning work without the correct authorisation. TXM Solutions can review your documents, coordinate with your employer and support the work permit process from application to approval.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work in the UAE with only a Golden Visa?

A Golden Visa provides long-term residence, but an employee normally requires separate work authorisation from MOHRE or the relevant free-zone authority before starting a job.

Who applies for the Golden Visa holder work permit?

The hiring company normally submits the application. For mainland private-sector employment, the application is submitted through MOHRE by an authorised representative of the employer.

Do Golden Visa holders need a labour card?

Golden Visa holders employed by mainland private-sector companies generally require the appropriate MOHRE work permit or labour authorisation. Free-zone employees require the equivalent permit or non-sponsored employment card issued by their free-zone authority.

Can I keep my Golden Visa when I change jobs?

Changing employers does not normally require the cancellation of a valid self-sponsored Golden Visa. However, the previous employment permit must be cancelled, and the new employer must obtain new work authorisation.

Can a Golden Visa holder work for more than one company?

Working for more than one employer may be possible under an appropriate part-time or other approved work arrangement. Each employment arrangement must meet MOHRE or free-zone requirements.

Is a Golden Visa work permit valid for two years?

The MOHRE Golden Visa holder work permit is generally valid for two years. Free-zone employment authorisation validity can vary depending on the authority.

Can I apply for the permit without an employer?

The MOHRE Golden Visa holder permit is an employer service and requires an employing establishment. Independent professionals may need to explore a freelance or self-employment permit based on the nature of their work.