Things You Should Know About the UAE Work Visa Process

The United Arab Emirates has become a popular destination for ex-pats from all over the world. The UAE offers a lavish lifestyle, tax-free salaries, and a safe and stable environment. There are many reasons why people choose to become ex-pats in the UAE. The most common reasons include the high salaries, the low cost of living, and the lavish lifestyle. The UAE is also a safe and stable country, another significant factor for people considering becoming an ex-pat.

If you consider becoming an ex-pat in the UAE, you should keep a few things in mind. First, you will need to obtain a work visa UAE. This process can be relatively simple, but it is crucial to ensure you have all the necessary paperwork. Let me take you through each step and give you some of the tips and tricks on how to get a work visa UAE smoothly: 

Employer Must Apply for A Visa Quota Approval

The first thing to note is that for any type of employment visa in UAE, such as a Dubai work visa for Indians or a work permit Abu Dhabi, the employer or the company will have to assist you with the visa application process. So now you might be wondering what is a ‘Visa Quota?’

A visa quota is a newly introduced system in the UAE by the Ministry of Labour (MOL), where the employer or the company must apply for a visa quota for their employees. And each company is allotted a specific number of visas for their employees, and if they have consumed it, they must apply for more quotas. The quota approval generally does not take any longer than 2-4 working days in the UAE. 

Employer Sends a Job Offer to The Candidate to Sign

Once the MOL has approved your employer with the visa quota, they can send you the valid work offer for you to review and sign. The work offer must be reviewed and signed in English, Arabic, and your native language if it differs from the two. It ensures that the employee thoroughly understands the offer and agrees to the terms and conditions to work for the said employer in the UAE. Additionally, this solidifies that you are receiving a valid work contract offered by an employer in the UAE who has all the required licenses and meets the visa quota.  

Employer Submits for A Work Permit Application and Approval

Once you sign the job offer and have sent it back to your employer, the process of bringing you into the UAE begins. First, the employer must sign and submit the contract to the [Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation MoHRE. 

There are several different types of employment visa in UAE that your employer must assist you in getting. The MoHRE will then assess the submitted contract to ensure that the job is rightfully given to you. And they will also check whether there were better UAE candidates that could have been employed instead. 

Additionally, the employer must make the necessary payments to the UAE government, such as labor and entry permit fees. Once the MoHRE has reviewed the job contract, and everything is in order, you should receive your work permit. However, it could be beneficial to know the documents you might need to submit to your employer for this step:

– A valid passport copies for more than 6 months of the employee 

– Passport size photograph on white background

– The original E-signature cards

– A copy of the front and back of the ID card for nationals of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran

– The attested copies of the academic certificate of the employee

– Depending on the type of work permit, a No Objection Letter

Getting The Employment Entry Visa

Unlike many other countries, first, you must apply for an entry permit, also known as a pink visa, for the UAE before getting your work permit/visa. As mentioned earlier, the employer must complete this step, and they must assist you in getting the UAE entry permit. Then, the employer can apply for an e visa UAE for employment for you on the SmartServices ICA website. 

An employment entry visa cannot be issued until the Ministry approves the work permit application. An employee who has been approved and secured an entry visa will have two months/60 days to enter the UAE. The employee has 60 days from the date of entry to obtain a residence visa and work permit once they enter the UAE with a pink visa.

Visit UAE And Start Work Permit Application or Visa Change of Status 

With the UAE entry permit/ work visa UAE, you will be allowed to enter the country. As mentioned above, you will have 60 stays to work on getting your work permit. However, if you are an employee in the UAE who has applied for a new job, you will have to change your status.

Depending on several factors, the UAE employment visa process time would be. However, it would generally take at least 5 working days. Hence you must start the work permit application process soon as you are in the UAE. You will also have to sign a work contract in the UAE that your employer will provide you with. 

Undergo Medical Examination

The first step towards a UAE work permit/residency would be to go through medical tests for any forms of infectious diseases such as HIV and TB. Then, depending on your job type in the UAE, you might have to undergo additional medical exams such as syphilis and Hepatitis B.

However, you must remember that your employer must pay for all the costs related to the visa processing, including the medical exams or the fees you must pay for any permits. In addition, once you receive the medical results, you must attach them to the visa application. 

Apply For the Emirates ID And Provide Your Biometrics 

Now you must start with the Emirates ID/Residence Visa application process through the Department of Naturalization and Residency Dubai (DNRD).  At this point, you have almost received your work visa UAE.  

You can apply for the Emirates ID online on the ICA portal or visit the nearest Emirates ID center. Additionally, you are required to provide your biometrics for the Emirates ID. You can also find more information on the UAE Government website. 

Employer Provide You with Medical Health Insurance Card 

Valid medical insurance is required by UAE nationals, ex-pats, and even tourists visiting the country. It is mandatory for all employers in the UAE to provide their employees with valid medical health insurance. There are several medical insurance options available in the UAE if you need to purchase your own. Additionally, medical insurance is required to renew work permits.

Residence Visa Stamping in Passport

To be able to get your residence permit, you will need to have a valid passport and your Emirates ID card. Similar to any the e visa UAE for employment, you can apply for a residence visa in the UAE online on the ICA portal. You will have to submit the required documents and follow the instructions for the application process. 

Depending on the type of work permit and your job contract, your residency visa’s validity can differ. The residency visa validity can be from 1 to 2 years and is usually renewable if you meet all the requirements. With the residence visa, you can now work and live legally in the UAE. Additionally, you will need a residence permit to be able to open a bank account, qualify for any loans, or bring your family members to the UAE.

Receiving Your Emirates ID

You will receive your Emirates ID card last after you have gone through the entire application process. The Emirates ID will be granted after your residence visa is approved and could take up to 7 days to get processed and printed. Once the Emirates ID is available, all there is left to do is for you to collect it.

If you need more information on the documents required or the costs involved, you can check out this Dubai work visa.

And We Are Done!

Finally, you have taken all the steps, gotten your valid work visa UAE, Emirates ID, and Residence Visa, and can start working in the UAE peacefully. The UAE is an excellent place for ex-pats to live and work. Ex-pats have many opportunities to find good jobs and make a good life for themselves and their families. Following the work visa, UAE tips can ease your transition to life as an ex-pat in the UAE.

However, if you only want a UAE tourist visa, you can use this fanatic app called Atlys. You can complete your visa application in 10 minutes and receive your visa within an hour!

FAQs – 

Do I Have to Pay Any Fees for Work Visa UAE?

No. The employer in the UAE must cover all the costs related to your work visa UAE application or any other costs.

What Is the UAE Employment Visa Process Time?

The entire UAE employment visa process time can differ depending on many factors and could take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. However, if all your documents are ready, you could be in the UAE within two weeks and can get your visa in less than a month.

How To Get a Work Permit Number In UAE?

You can find the work permit number UAE on the MoHRE website. You can even submit an online inquiry, and the authorities will be able to assist you. 

When Can I Start Working in the UAE?

You can start working in the UAE soon after receiving your approved UAE work permit from the MoHRE. That is also when you will be integrated into the UAE payroll system.