Work permits and visas in the United Arab Emirates: An employer’s guide

If you are hiring a new employee or relocating a team member to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you need to make sure they have the proper work permit and visa under local immigration laws. Your company also needs to stay on top of labor and tax laws for compliant HR.

In this article, Remote walks you through right-to-work checks, work visa types, and visa requirements for your employee to work in the UAE.

See also: The complete employer's guide to hiring in the United Arab Emirates

Work authorization checks in the UAE

Any foreign national you hire must have the correct work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) or the relevant free zone authority, plus a Residence Visa (employment residency visa) linked to that employment contract.

Working on a tourist/visit visa is illegal under UAE Labour Law and can result in fines, deportation, or entry bans. Check status in the UAE Government portals during your visa application process and keep proof of work authorization on file (contract, Entry Permit, Emirates ID, and required medical fitness test results).

Do non-citizens need a work visa or work permit in the UAE?

Yes. For mainland hires, the employer first secures a MoHRE work permit, then residency is issued by the immigration authority for the sponsoring emirate: the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah; or GDRFA-Dubai (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai) for Dubai. For free zone hires, the zone authority handles the employment side (license, contract, permit), while residency is still issued by ICP (or GDRFA-Dubai for Dubai sponsors).

Eligibility requirements for a work visa in the UAE

To obtain a valid UAE Work Visa (employer-sponsored residency visa), your candidate must have a confirmed job offer with a legally established company (mainland or free zone). You’ll then apply for the Employment Entry Permit (sometimes called the employment visa entry permit) and complete residency steps.

Required documents include: 

• Compliant employment contract (MoHRE standard)
• A passport valid for more than six months
• Authenticated academic credentials for skilled employees (e.g., bachelor’s degree or specialized diploma, as applicable)
• Medical screening/medical exam at an approved center
• Emirates ID biometric submission
• Health insurance meeting the emirate’s rules 
  
  

If the candidate has an overstay or a lapsed/“broken” residency visa, rectify status before filing a new application.

Types of work visas (residence routes) in the UAE

After the employer receives a MoHRE work-permit approval, the employee typically has 60 days to enter the UAE on an Employment Entry Permit (or complete an in-country status change), finish the medical fitness test, enroll for Emirates ID, and obtain residency. Residency in the UAE is primarily by the Emirates ID card.

Standard work visa (employer-sponsored residency)

The UAE standard work visa is the default route for hiring foreign nationals into mainland companies or free-zone entities. Once issued, residency is tied to your company as sponsor and is normally valid for one, two, or three years depending on category and emirate.

Residence under the UAE Standard Work Visa remains valid only while the work permit and contract remain in force with the employer. Changes like role, employer, or company status generally require new authorizations or transfers. 

Green visa (5-year, self-sponsored)

A Green visa is for qualified talent who meets set criteria:

• Skilled employee track: Valid employment contract, occupation in MoHRE occupational levels one to three, bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), and a minimum salary of AED 15,000 per month.

• Freelancer/self-employed track: Self-employment permit from MoHRE, bachelor’s degree or specialized diploma, and annual income of AED 360,000 over the last two years or proof of financial solvency.

Green Visa holders may sponsor family members/dependents and benefit from an extended grace period. If they take a private-sector job, ensure the work permit matches how they’ll be engaged.

Golden Visa (long-term, self-sponsored)

A Golden visa grants residence for five or ten years for certain people, including investors, entrepreneurs, highly skilled professionals, and outstanding students. Golden visa holders still need a valid work permit (mainland MoHRE or free-zone) and a standard labor contract to work for a UAE employer. Residency benefits include the ability to remain outside the UAE for more than six months and sponsor eligible family members. Emirates ID is the primary proof of residency.

Application process for a UAE work visa 

To obtain a work visa, employers and employees must submit the following: 

Obtain the Employment Entry Permit (Entry Permit)

The employer issues a compliant employment contract, applies for the work permit (MoHRE/free zone), then requests for the Employment Entry Permit from ICP (most emirates) or GDRFA-Dubai (Dubai). The entry permit generally gives 60 days to complete residency procedures.

Complete medical fitness and Emirates ID

Your hire completes the medical fitness test/medical checkup at an approved facility (see Emirates Health Services) and submits biometrics for Emirates ID issuance. The Emirates ID serves as the main proof of UAE residence permit once residency is granted.

Residency issuance (visa stamping replaced)

Residency is issued electronically and shown on the Emirates ID and in the UAE immigration portal (ICP/GDRFA). Track progress in the official systems.

Costs and processing times (visa fees)

Government fees for work permits, entry permits, residency visas, and Emirates ID appear on each authority’s official service card (MoHRE, ICP, GDRFA-Dubai). As a guide, Emirates ID costs AED 100 per year of residence (plus any smart/urgent Service Fees). Additional charges apply for medical fitness, biometric submission, and delivery. Overall timelines vary by emirate, sponsor type (mainland vs. free zone), and whether the candidate is in or out of country.

Overstay fines are standardized at AED 50 per day for visit and residency overstays. 

Digital nomad (virtual work) visa in the UAE

The UAE’s Virtual Work Visa, also called the Remote Work Residence Permit, lets eligible professionals reside in the UAE for one year (renewable) while working remotely for an employer outside the UAE. It’s a residence route, not local work authorization, meaning local employment still requires a MoHRE work permit and standard labor contract.

Dubai processes applications via GDRFA-Dubai (and Amer centers); other emirates use the UAE Official Portal and ICP Smart Services. Typical required documents include proof of employment with an overseas company, proof of salary (e.g., bank statements meeting the USD 3,500/month threshold), valid health insurance, passport copy, photo, medical fitness result, and Emirates ID enrollment receipt.

How Remote can help with work visas in the UAE

To hire or relocate employees to the UAE, you need to navigate immigration laws to avoid potential penalties, as well as handle payroll and benefits according to local tax laws. 

That's why Remote’s Employer of Record service is invaluable. We act as the legal employer in the UAE on your company’s behalf. Remote helps you stay compliant with local labor and tax laws, so you can onboard your employees in a matter of days to save time and resources. 

If you already have an entity in the UAE, Remote can help with international employee relocation with case-by-case immigration assessments, and guidance on UAE work visa applications. 

To learn more about the processes involved in relocating international employees, download Remote's Relocation Guide, or contact our Relocation team today.