VISA and Work permit Process in UAE: A Guide for Job Seeker
One of the most lucrative places for job seekers is the United Arab Emirates which has several visa options catering to the needs of different professionals, here we are going to discuss work/job-related visas which will make it easier for the individual to decide which route they want to choose, In most cases it will be your employer, who will be requesting visa on your behalf but still it is better to know what type of visa you get because there are many instances that an unskilled visa is issued to a skilled category employer, so an employee need to be aware what type of visa they are getting.
Types of UAE Work Visas
The main job or work-related visas are the Standard Visa, Green Visa, Golden Visa, and UAE remote working visa each visa has key advantages and is designed to meet various needs and qualifications. Let’s look at the basics of these visas so you can decide which might suit the best for you.
Standard Work Visa
- Sponsored by an employer.
- Valid for two to three years.
- Requires a valid job offer and approval from MoHRE.
The Standard Work Visa is the most common visa for employees. This visa is for an individual to work in UAE for the duration of 2 to 3 years as per your contract, but for this visa to be issued, you need to have a job offer means an employer is needed to sponsor you to do all the messy work on your behalf and borne all the fees related to it.
Green Visa
- Doesn’t require employer sponsorship, best suited for family members
- Valid for five years.
- Designed for freelancers, self-employed individuals, and skilled professionals.
It was introduced in late 2022 the Green Visa actually for freelancers, self-employed professionals, and highly skilled professionals. With this visa you can stay longer in UAE without any kind of employer sponsorship, gives you greater autonomy, and are not bounded it also provides you with flexibility in your residency, it is one of the best visas to apply for if you work remotely, however the minimum salary to apply for a green visa is AED 15000.
Golden Visa
- Aimed at highly skilled or talented individuals who can work in the UAE
- It’s a 10-year program without local sponsorship
- You can sponsor family members and can get exclusive healthcare insurance packages,
If you have exceptional talent this VISA is for you, such as scientists, engineers, artists, and high-profile professionals. You can live in UAE, work or study and it is for up to 10 years. No local sponsorship is needed to have a golden visa just pure talent is what you need.
Choosing which Visa is right for you depends only on your professional background assess your profile thoroughly and see which visa category is best suited for you, the length of stay you’re aiming for, and why you need a visa. The Standard Work Visa works well for those who are looking for employment in the UAE. At the same time, the Green and Golden Visas offer longer stays and greater flexibility for skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and exceptionally talented people. Each type has its unique set of requirements which can be difficult to achieve and benefits tailored to various professional landscapes within the vibrant UAE workforce.
UAE remote Visa:
For this visa, you need to show that you worked for an organization outside of UAE (remotely) and that you have a monthly salary of around AED 12800 (USD 3500) good for people who want remote work and want to Visit UAE occasionally
Eligibility and Document Requirements for UAE Work Visa
To apply for a UAE work visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- 18 years old requirements
- A relevant Job offer from the Employer
- A relevant qualification bachelor/master.
Your employer must also have a clean record and a valid business license. There is no age limit for applicants; however, companies are required to pay an additional AED5,000 (approximately US$1,360) every two years for employees over the age of 65.
Required Documents:
- Passport: A must-have—make sure it’s valid and bring along a copy too.
- Passport-sized Photos: good snaps of yourself with professional-looking background. There’s a particular style the UAE prefers, so check those requirements out.
- Emirates ID card: Important for when you’re in the UAE, it’s tied to your residency and is your main ID. But don’t worry; this comes into play once you’re in the UAE.
- Entry Permit: This comes from the Ministry of Labor (MoL). It’s the first approval you need to start your journey.
- Medical Certificate: Before getting down to business, you’ll need a health checkup at a designated clinic in the UAE.
- Academic Qualifications: your academic qualification degrees need to be verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy in your country, this is one of the most important steps in getting your degree attested.
- Employer Documents: Your employer has to showcase their commercial license and company registration. It proves they’re legit and ready to hire you, this is not needed from you as it will be taken care of by your employer when filing your visa
Navigating the Visa Application Process
A Job Offer Letter is a must, you’ll need a valid job offer from an employer in the UAE. Make sure this offer aligns with your skills and career goals. Once you’ve got this, you’re ready to kickstart the visa application process.
Next up is ensuring you’re in good health. The UAE requires a medical examination as part of the work visa application. This is to check for communicable diseases. You’ll visit an approved medical center, so prepare by staying healthy and hydrated.
For the safety of its citizens and residents, the UAE conducts security clearance checks. No criminal record should be present you need to have a spotless background. This step is a little setback but don’t worry if you haven’t done anything you will come out clean, as it is very important for maintaining the UAE’s security standards.
After getting through all the initial hurdles now you can file your visa, Gather all documents mentioned previously — a job offer, health records, and clearance — and submit them to the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE). One of the most important things to remember is that precision is the key,
After submitting your application, you’ll need to pay the visa fee. This varies depending on the type of visa and other factors. Now your waiting period starts, the duration can range from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on various factors, including the accuracy of your submitted documents and the type of work visa you’re applying for, so patience is the key
Upon getting your work visa it is important to sort out your Emirates ID, which is the most important identification document in UAE, visiting the Emirates Identity Authority will sort this out
According to GDFRA Dubai has already issued around 150,000 golden visas to talented individuals as of 2022 November, it has also reported seeing significant growth in residency visas.
Getting a UAE visa seems difficult but if you manage your steps and do proper homework it will become easy, UAE has a visa for every professional out there so look out which suits your needs and skill level
