UAE Work Visa: Complete Guide to Requirements, Cost and Process
Planning to work in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or anywhere in the Emirates? Or hiring your first employee from abroad? Either way, you need a UAE work visa. It is the legal permission that lets a foreign national live and work in the country.
The good news is that the process is faster than ever in 2026. The catch is that one small mistake, like an unattested degree or a spelling difference in your name, can delay everything by weeks.
That is where TXM Solutions helps. We are a MOHRE-licensed workforce and visa company in Dubai, operating since 2005 and approved by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP). For more than 20 years, our team in Al Karama has handled work visas, residence visas and PRO work for employees and companies across the UAE.
In this guide, we explain the UAE work visa in simple words: the types, who can apply, the documents, the cost and each step. Want experts to handle it for you instead?
Explore our visa services in UAE and get your visa done right the first time.
What Is a UAE Work Visa?
A UAE work visa (also called an employment visa) is really two approvals joined together:
- Work permit, issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). It gives you the right to work.
- Residence visa, issued by ICP (or GDRFA in Dubai). It gives you the right to live in the UAE.
Your employer is your sponsor and applies for both. You cannot apply for a standard work visa on your own. Under the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), working without a valid MOHRE work permit is illegal, for both the worker and the company.
The official UAE government portal confirms the standard work visa is valid for 2 years and renewable.
Types of UAE Work Visas and Permits
MOHRE issues 13 types of work permits, and there are also self-sponsored options. These are the ones most people need:
Swipe left or right to view the full table.
| Visa or permit | Who it is for | Sponsor | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard employment visa (mainland) | Staff of UAE private or government companies | Employer through MOHRE | 2 years, renewable |
| Mission visa | Short project work or temporary assignments | UAE company | Up to 90 days |
| Transfer work permit | Changing jobs while already in the UAE | New employer | Same as new visa |
| Part-time work permit | Working for more than one employer | Employer, with MOHRE approval | Set by the permit |
| Freelance visa | Independent professionals with several clients | Self, with a freelance permit | Depends on the permit |
| Green visa | Skilled employees, freelancers and self-employed people | Self-sponsored | 5 years |
| Golden visa | Investors, specialised talent and top professionals | Self-sponsored | 5 or 10 years |
Not sure which one fits you?
Who Is Eligible for a UAE Work Visa?
You can usually get a UAE work visa if:
- You are 18 or older (special juvenile permits exist for ages 15 to 18 in limited roles).
- You have a job offer from a licensed UAE company that has visa quota available.
- Your job title matches the company’s trade licence activity.
- You pass the UAE medical fitness test.
- You have the qualifications the job needs, with degrees attested for skilled roles.
- You have no active labour or immigration ban from a past UAE stay.
Documents Required for a UAE Work Visa
The work is split between you and your employer. Getting these right is the fastest way to avoid delays.
What the employee provides
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Recent passport-size photo with a white background
- Degree or diploma, attested in your home country and by the UAE embassy (for skilled roles)
- Signed MOHRE offer letter
- Cancellation papers of any previous UAE visa
- Police clearance certificate, only if the employer or job asks for it
What the employer provides
- Valid trade licence and establishment card
- MOHRE approval and available visa quota
- Employment contract, signed and registered with MOHRE
- Wage Protection System (WPS) registration
- Health insurance for the employee (mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
How to Get a UAE Work Visa: Step by Step
In 2026, most private sector applications go through the government’s Work Bundle platform. According to u.ae, it cut the process from 15 steps to 5, from 16 documents to 5, from 7 in-person visits to 2, and from 30 working days to about 5 working days.
Here is how it works in simple steps:
- Accept the job offer. Your employer sends a MOHRE offer letter with your salary, job title and contract terms. You sign it.
- Employer applies for the work permit. The company submits your documents to MOHRE. Once approved, an entry permit is issued.
- Travel to the UAE. You enter on the employment entry permit (sent by email). Check its expiry date and travel before it runs out. Already in the UAE on another visa? Your employer can change your status inside the country.
- Do the medical fitness test. A blood test and chest X-ray at an approved government health centre. Results usually come in 1 to 2 days.
- Give Emirates ID biometrics. Fingerprints and a photo at an ICP or GDRFA centre.
- Get your residence visa. Your employment contract is registered with MOHRE and your residence visa is issued digitally. Your Emirates ID is now your main proof of residence.
That is it. Once the visa is issued, you can open a bank account, rent a home, and later sponsor your family.
How Much Does a UAE Work Visa Cost?
The employer pays. Under UAE Labour Law, the company must cover recruitment and visa costs and cannot take them back from your salary. If anyone asks you to pay for your own work visa, treat it as a red flag.
There is no single fixed price for a UAE work visa. The total is made up of several government and service fees, and each case is a little different. Here is what the cost usually includes:
Swipe left or right to view the full table.
| Cost item | What it covers | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| MOHRE work permit | Government approval for the employee to work | Employer |
| Entry permit | Lets the employee enter the UAE for work | Employer |
| Medical fitness test | Blood test and chest X-ray at an approved centre | Employer |
| Emirates ID | Biometrics and the ID card linked to the visa | Employer |
| Residence visa | The final visa issued by ICP or GDRFA | Employer |
| Health insurance | Mandatory medical cover in Dubai and Abu Dhabi | Employer |
| Processing and PRO support | Filing, follow-up and government visits | Employer |
What changes the final cost?
- The company’s MOHRE category (A, B or C). Companies that follow labour law, WPS and Emiratisation rules pay lower permit fees.
- Mainland or free zone. Free zones set their own visa fees.
- The emirate. Fees differ slightly between Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the other emirates.
- The job role and skill level. Some roles need extra approvals or attestation.
- Inside or outside the UAE. A change of status inside the country adds a step.
- Standard or express processing. Faster service costs more.
Want an exact figure? The simplest way is a quote based on your company and the role you are hiring for. TXM Solutions gives you a clear, itemized quote before any work starts. Request a quote from our visa services team.
How Long Does a UAE Work Visa Take?
With the Work Bundle, the work permit step now takes about 5 working days. From signed offer to issued residence visa, most cases take 2 to 4 weeks.
The usual causes of delay are:
- Degree attestation, which can take several weeks in your home country
- A spelling difference between your passport, degree and offer letter
- A medical retest
- Missing company documents, such as an expired trade licence
Mainland vs Free Zone Work Visa
| Point | Mainland work visa | Free zone work visa |
|---|---|---|
| Issued through | MOHRE and ICP or GDRFA | The free zone authority |
| Who is the sponsor? | Mainland company | Free zone company, via the zone |
| Labour rules | UAE Labour Law and MOHRE | UAE Labour Law plus the zone’s own rules |
| Best for | Most jobs across the UAE | Jobs inside that specific free zone |
Validity, Renewal and Changing Jobs
- Validity: A standard UAE work visa lasts 2 years. Your Emirates ID expires with it.
- Renewal: Your employer arranges a new medical test, work permit renewal and Emirates ID renewal. Start at least 30 days before expiry to avoid gaps in your status.
- Changing jobs: You can change jobs without leaving the country. Your old employer cancels your work permit, and your new employer applies for a transfer work permit.
- Cancellation: When your job ends, your employer cancels your work permit first, followed by your residence visa. Your grace period depends on your visa type. You must secure a new sponsor or leave before it ends to avoid daily overstay fines.
For Employers: Hire Without a UAE Company
Want to hire in the UAE but have no local entity yet? You do not have to set one up first. With TXM Solution’s Employer of Record (EOR) service, we become the legal employer on paper. We sponsor the work visa under our MOHRE licence, run WPS-compliant payroll and handle HR compliance. You manage the employee’s daily work.
Already have a company? Our PRO services handle work permits, quota, renewals and cancellations for your whole team.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sending an unattested degree. It is the most common reason skilled visas get stuck.
- Name spelling differences across passport, degree and offer letter.
- A job title that does not match the company’s licence.
- Letting the entry permit expire before you travel.
- Overstaying the grace period after cancellation.
- Paying unlicensed agents. Only work with MOHRE-licensed providers. A licensed partner like TXM protects you from fines and fake job offers.
Conclusion
A UAE work visa is your key to living and working legally in the Emirates. The steps are simple on paper: job offer, work permit, entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and residence visa. The Work Bundle has made it faster than ever. But small errors in documents, job titles or timelines can still cost you weeks, and in some cases fines.
That is why employees and companies trust TXM Solutions. Since 2005, we have supported employees and businesses with UAE visas as a MOHRE-licensed, ICP-approved provider based in Dubai, with 5,000+ partners worldwide. We check your documents, file your application, follow up with the authorities and keep you updated at every step.
Whatever you need, we have a visa service for it:
- Visa services in UAE: all our work, residence and business visa services in one place
- Residence visa in Dubai
- Mission visa for short-term projects
- Freelance visa and Golden visa for self-sponsored residency
- Employer of Record to hire and sponsor staff without a UAE company
Ready to start? Book a free consultation with our visa experts through our UAE visa services page, call +971 50 155 9545 or message us on WhatsApp. Let TXM handle the paperwork while you focus on your new job or your growing team.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information, updated September 2026. UAE visa rules and fees change often, so confirm the latest details with MOHRE, ICP or GDRFA, or speak to TXM Solutions before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a UAE work visa the same as an employment visa?
Yes. Both names mean the same thing: an employer-sponsored residence visa with a MOHRE work permit.
Can I get a UAE work visa without a job offer?
Not a standard work visa. It always needs a sponsoring employer. Without a job, look at the freelance visa, green visa or golden visa, which are self-sponsored.
How long is a UAE work visa valid?
A standard work visa is valid for 2 years and can be renewed as long as you stay with the same employer.
Who pays for the UAE work visa?
The employer. UAE Labour Law says the company must pay recruitment and visa costs and cannot deduct them from your salary.
How long does it take to get a UAE work visa?
The work permit takes about 5 working days under the Work Bundle. The full process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Can I change jobs on a UAE work visa?
Yes. Your new employer applies for a transfer work permit, and you do not need to leave the UAE.
What happens to my visa if I lose my job?
Your employer cancels the visa and you get a grace period, commonly up to 60 days depending on your visa type, to find a new sponsor or leave the country.
Can I sponsor my family on a work visa?
Yes, once your residence visa is issued and you meet the salary rule, generally AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus company accommodation.
Can a foreign company hire in the UAE without a local entity?
Yes. An Employer of Record like TXM Solutions can legally employ and sponsor your staff under its MOHRE licence while you manage their work.
Contact Now
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.
Our Services
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.