A UAE work visa lets you live and work legally in the country, and in almost all cases it is sponsored and paid for by your employer. This is the complete guide to how it works: the four steps, the different visa types, the documents and attestation you need, realistic costs and timelines, and what happens after you arrive – including sponsoring your family.
This is part of our guide to working in the UAE. For where to find roles, see the best job search sites, and for your rights once hired, the UAE labour law.
Quick answer
A standard UAE work visa combines two things: a MOHRE work permit (your right to work) and a residency visa issued through ICP or GDRFA (your right to live in the UAE). Your employer processes both after you sign an offer. It usually takes one to three weeks, costs the employer around AED 4,000-9,000+, and results in a residency visa normally valid for two years. As the employee, you should not be charged for your own work-visa costs.
The four steps of a UAE work visa
Step 1 – offer and work permit. You sign a MOHRE offer letter, which is the legal anchor for everything that follows. Your employer then files the work-permit application through Tasheel, and MOHRE reviews the job title, salary, quota and the company’s WPS status.
Step 2 – entry permit. Once the work permit is approved, GDRFA issues an entry permit (the “pink visa”), typically valid for 60 days and allowing a single entry. If you are already in the UAE, a status change may be possible instead of leaving and re-entering.
Step 3 – medical and Emirates ID. You complete a medical fitness test (blood test and chest X-ray) at an approved centre, and your Emirates ID biometrics. These feed into your residency file.
Step 4 – residency stamping. Your residency visa is issued and linked to your passport and Emirates ID. Once stamped, your labour card confirms your right to work for that employer.
Types of UAE work visa
Standard employment visa – employer-sponsored, usually two years (some free zones issue three). This is by far the most common route.
Green Visa – a self-sponsored, five-year visa for skilled employees earning from around AED 15,000 a month with the relevant qualifications. You do not need an employer sponsor, and you can sponsor family members.
Golden Visa – a five or ten-year residency for investors, entrepreneurs, and highly skilled professionals in fields such as science, medicine, and technology.
Freelance / self-employment permit – lets you work for multiple clients under a free-zone permit, suited to independent professionals.
Job-seeker (exploration) visa – a short-stay visa that lets you enter the UAE to look for work without a sponsor, then switch to a work visa once you have an offer.
Documents and attestation
For most cases you will need a valid passport (usually with at least six months’ validity), passport photos to UAE specifications, your signed offer or contract, and – for many skilled roles – your educational certificates, which often must be attested (legally authenticated in your home country and by the UAE authorities). Attestation can take time, so start it early if your role requires a degree. The medical test and Emirates ID application complete the set.
How much does it cost and who pays?
Employer-sponsored work-visa costs generally run from AED 4,000 to AED 9,000 or more, depending on whether the company is mainland or free zone and the MOHRE skill level (1 to 5) of the role. These costs are the employer’s responsibility – a genuine employer will not ask you to pay for your own work permit or visa. For a detailed cost breakdown, see our UAE employment visa cost guide.
How long does it take?
Most standard cases complete in one to three weeks. MOHRE has been streamlining approvals, and a unified MOHRE/ICP process now triggers the work permit, entry permit, medical booking and Emirates ID steps together, which has cut waiting times. Attestation of documents, if required, is usually the longest single part, so handle it in advance.
Sponsoring your family
Once your own residency is stamped and you meet the salary threshold for family sponsorship (commonly around AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 with accommodation), you can usually sponsor your spouse and children for residency visas as your dependants. This is a separate process from your work visa and needs your Emirates ID, tenancy contract and salary certificate, among other documents. If family sponsorship is part of your plan, factor its timing in after your own visa is complete.
Common delays and how to avoid them
Typical hold-ups include unattested or missing educational certificates, a company WPS or fine issue that blocks MOHRE transactions, mismatches between the offer letter and the application, and passport validity problems. You can avoid most of these by attesting documents early, checking your passport validity, and making sure the details across your offer, contract and application all match.
After you get your visa
Confirm everything is active: check your visa status and Emirates ID status online, and make sure your health insurance and bank account are set up so your salary can be paid through the Wage Protection System. When you eventually leave the job, you may be owed end-of-service gratuity, and if you change employer, your existing permit is cancelled and the new employer applies for a fresh one.
Need help with your work visa?
If you have an offer and want the work permit, residency and Emirates ID handled correctly, Emirae can connect you with the right support through Employment Visa Support. You can also submit a request and get matched with the right help.
What it costs: for the full price breakdown see the UAE employment visa cost and the wider UAE visa cost guide; if you plan to bring your family, the family visa cost.
FAQ
How do I get a work visa in the UAE?
An employer sponsors it. After you sign a MOHRE offer, they file a work permit, an entry permit is issued, you complete a medical and Emirates ID biometrics, and your residency visa is stamped. It usually takes one to three weeks.
Who pays for a UAE work visa?
The employer. Standard employer-sponsored costs run about AED 4,000-9,000+ and are the company’s responsibility. A genuine employer will not ask you to pay for your own work permit or visa – any such request is a scam.
Can I get a UAE work visa without an employer?
Yes, through self-sponsored routes: the Green Visa (five years, from around AED 15,000 a month), the Golden Visa for investors and highly skilled people, or a freelance permit. A job-seeker visa also lets you look for work without a sponsor.
How long is a UAE work visa valid?
The standard employment residency visa is two years, with some free zones issuing three. The Green and Golden visas run for five to ten years.
Do I need to attest my certificates for a UAE work visa?
For many skilled roles, yes. Educational certificates often must be attested (authenticated in your home country and by the UAE authorities). Attestation can take time, so start it early if your role requires a degree.
Can I sponsor my family on a UAE work visa?
Usually yes, once your own residency is stamped and you meet the salary threshold (commonly around AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 with accommodation). Sponsoring your spouse and children is a separate process needing your Emirates ID, tenancy contract and salary certificate.
UAE Business Setup Specialist
Krystyna Sokolovska is a UAE business setup specialist who helps founders, independent professionals, and growing companies navigate business launch decisions in the Emirates with more clarity and less risk. Her work focuses on the practical side of entry into the UAE market — choosing the right setup path, understanding licensing options, preparing for banking, planning visa steps, and avoiding common mistakes that slow companies down.
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