Employment Visa Support in the UAE

Employment visa support covers the full process of obtaining work authorization and residence visas for employees in the UAE. The core elements include applying for a work permit through MOHRE or the relevant free zone authority, obtaining an entry permit, coordinating the medical fitness test, processing Emirates ID registration, and completing the visa stamping.

For mainland companies, the process also involves the establishment card, immigration file, and labor card. This is one of the most operationally intensive recurring processes for UAE employers.

Employment visa processing is relevant to every company that hires staff:

• Employers hiring their first employee in the UAE
• Companies expanding their workforce and needing to process multiple visas
• HR managers handling visa administration for their team
• Free zone companies processing visas through their zone authority
• Mainland companies processing through MOHRE and GDRFA channels
• Companies hiring from outside the UAE who need entry permits

Whether you are processing one visa or twenty, the compliance requirements are the same for each employee.

Step 1: Work permit application. For mainland companies, submit through MOHRE. For free zone companies, submit through the zone authority.

Step 2: Entry permit issuance. Once the work permit is approved, an entry permit is issued for the employee.

Step 3: Medical fitness test. The employee completes a medical fitness test at an approved health center.

Step 4: Emirates ID registration. The employee registers for Emirates ID with biometrics at an ICP center.

Step 5: Visa stamping. The residence visa is stamped in the employee's passport, completing the process.

Employer-side requirements:

• Valid trade license (current and not expired)
• Establishment card (immigration file) - must be active
• Visa quota availability
• Offer letter and employment contract compliant with UAE labor law
• Company bank account (some authorities verify this)

Employee-side requirements:

• Valid passport with at least six months remaining validity
• Passport-sized photographs meeting UAE specifications
• Educational qualification certificates (required for certain job categories, must be attested)
• Medical fitness test at an approved center
• Security clearance (processing time may vary by nationality)

Visa quota depends on company size and type. Every company has a visa allocation. Before planning new hires, confirm your available quota.

Free zone vs mainland processing differences. Mainland employment visas are processed through MOHRE and GDRFA. Free zone visas are processed through the zone authority.

Status change from inside the UAE. If the employee is already in the UAE on a visit or tourist visa, a status change may be possible. Not all combinations allow in-country conversion.

Processing time varies. Each step has its own processing time. Security clearance for certain nationalities can add significant time.