UAE’s economy is growing at a breakneck speed. The demand for labor, especially for skilled applicants with international experience, has never been higher. With the wide variety of jobs available and easy travel connections, UAE is swiftly becoming one of the most popular expat destinations in the world. However, UAE is just like the rest of the world when it comes to work visas. There’s no way around it – prepare yourself for some paperwork! If you want to work there, you need to look into work visas in UAE.
Most expats have a job lined up before they arrive in UAE. This is smart for several reasons, beyond just avoiding the stress of a job search. In general, companies in UAE will complete all work visa requirements for expats. This includes covering their visa fee, which is a legal requirement. They will also take responsibility for sponsoring the expat’s family. Work permits and employment visas can last anywhere from one year to ten years.
WHY WORK IN UAE?
UAE provides excellent business and work prospects in attracting expats from all corners of the world. The below four are the most important factors making the cosmopolitan city one of the best options to work and build a career.
- Safety
- Quality of living
- Luxury
- World class infrastructure and comfort
- Plenty of work opportunities
- Tax Free (No income tax)
BENEFITS OF HAVING A UAE WORK PERMIT
- Earn in Dirham’s and pay no tax
- Be a resident as long as your employment exists
- Sponsor your family- Parents, Wife and Children.
WHO CAN APPLY FOR A WORK VISA IN UAE?
Any foreigner who is over the age of 18 can work in the UAE, provided that they meet the standards set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). There is no maximum age for who can be employed in the UAE, but for workers over the age of 65, the company pays a higher fee.
HOW TO GET A UAE VISA
Before you receive a work visa in Dubai, you must first obtain an entry permit visa, an Emirates ID card, and a residence visa. Note that when you’re researching all your visa-related steps, a work visa or work permit is also sometimes called a labor card.
Not surprisingly, the most important thing you’ll need for a work visa is proof that you have a job offer or a work contract! Thankfully, all the additional paperwork you need for your work visa is also required for your residency visa, making the process relatively streamlined.
OBTAINING A UAE WORK VISA
During the last several years, the UAE government has taken steps to make their market more accessible to foreign investors. As a result, their UAE work visa requirements for expats are less intensive than for many neighboring countries.
You cannot legally work in the UAE while on a tourist visa. UAE companies typically complete all necessary visa requirements for expats and may also sponsor employees’ immediate family members. To obtain your UAE work visa, you must first obtain the following:
- Entry permit
- Emirate identification card
- Residence visa
ENTRY PERMIT
Well before you get a work visa, you need an entry permit visa, issued by the Ministry of Labor. This is also known as a pink card. Upon successful application, your entry permit visa is valid for two months from the date of issue and allows you to stay in the United Arab Emirates for thirty days. You can extend an entry permit visa twice.
EMIRATE IDENTIFICATION CARD
Once you are successfully in Dubai with your entry permit visa in hand, your employer can begin the process for your residence visa. You have sixty days to complete all paperwork.
One of the very first steps is to go to an Emirates ID service center to get your Emirates ID. You’ll need to bring your passport and entry permit visa with you. After this, you’ll need the following to complete your residency visa application.
UAE WORK VISA REQUIREMENTS
- A completed application form.
- The applicant’s original passport along with a copy.
- Several passport photos.
- A copy of a valid company card.
- A certificate of health.
- An entry permit issued by the Ministry of Labor.
- Proof of payment of the application fee
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A UAE WORK VISA?
In general, it takes about ten days to receive your work visa. During the approval process, the Ministry of Labor bases their decision in part by checking that there are no local citizens who are able to do the job in question.
Note that all submitted forms and documents must be written in Arabic or supplemented by a notarized translation.
