The UAE’s standard employment visa is the everyday route most foreign workers use to live and work in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the other emirates — distinct from the long-term Golden Visa category, which is investment- or achievement-based rather than employer-sponsored. It’s a straightforward, employer-driven process, but the costs, timelines, and who’s responsible for paying vary enough by employer type that it’s worth understanding before you accept an offer.
Who sponsors the visa
You cannot self-sponsor a standard UAE employment visa. Your sponsor must be either:
- A mainland-registered employer holding a valid trade licence and MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) registration, with the job role matching its licensed business activity, or
- A free zone employer, sponsored instead through that free zone’s own authority rather than MOHRE directly.
There is no labour market test, no language requirement, and no fixed minimum salary threshold for the standard mainland category beyond the going market rate for the role — a meaningfully lighter bar than skilled-worker categories in the UK, Canada, or Australia.
The MOHRE process
Since the launch of MOHRE’s Work Bundle platform, the process has been consolidated and significantly sped up. From MOHRE work-permit approval, processing now typically takes around 5 working days; end to end — including the entry permit, medical screening, and Emirates ID — the full process usually takes 2 to 3 weeks. The main stages are:
- Work permit application — the employer applies through MOHRE (or the relevant free zone authority).
- Entry permit — issued once the work permit is approved, allowing the worker to enter the UAE.
- Medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics, completed after arrival.
- Residence visa stamping, finalising status, typically valid for 2–3 years depending on the employer’s package.
Cost breakdown (2026)
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Work permit issuance fee | AED 250–3,450 (depends on employer classification) |
| Work permit application fee | AED 50 |
| Full mainland employment visa (all-in) | AED 5,200–7,500 |
| Full free zone employment visa (all-in) | AED 3,500–6,500 |
| Overall typical range | AED 3,000–7,000 |
The employer must legally cover all of these costs. A genuine offer will never ask you to fund your own work permit, entry permit, medical test, or Emirates ID — recruiters or “employers” who ask candidates to pay these fees upfront are a well-documented red flag worth walking away from.
How this differs from the Golden Visa
The employment visa is tied to your job — if your employment ends, your visa status is affected. If you’re weighing long-term residency independent of a specific employer, compare against the UAE Golden Visa guide, which offers 5–10 year residency based on investment, property ownership, or specified professional achievement rather than sponsorship.
Sources
Confirm current fees and process steps directly with MOHRE or the relevant free zone authority before accepting an offer, since fee schedules and processing times are reviewed periodically. This is preparation guidance, not legal advice — confirm your specific case with the official source.
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