A Guide to Visa Types and Work Permits in the UAE

Jump right in:

• Work permits & employment-based visas
• Family visa
• Self-employment visas
• Long-term residency permits in the UAE
• How do I apply for an emirate ID card?

The majority of expats arrive in the UAE having already secured employment. This streamlines the visa process as most UAE companies handle all residence visa and work permit requirements, including covering visa fees.

Job levels in the UAE

Jobs in the UAE are divided into nine professional levels. To be classified as "Skilled" a worker must be in Levels 1 to 5, earn a minimum of 4,000 AED (approx. 1,100 USD) per month, and possess an attested certificate above secondary school level.

• Level 1: Managers and Business Executives
• Level 2: Professionals (Doctors, Engineers, Teachers, etc.)
• Level 3: Technicians and Associate Professionals
• Level 4: Writing and Clerical Professionals
• Level 5: Service and Sales Occupations
• Levels 6–9: These are considered "Unskilled" or "Simple Professions" (e.g., agricultural workers, craftsmen, operators, and cleaners)

Companies in the UAE are classified into three tiers (1, 2, and 3) based on their adherence to labor laws and Emiratisation goals.

• Category 1/Tier A: For companies that exceed Emiratisation targets or are considered "digital icons." These pay the lowest work permit fees around 250 AED (approx. 70 USD).

• Category 2/Tier B: For standard, compliant businesses (most companies fall here). Fees are between 1,000 and 1,200 AED (approx. 270-330 USD).

• Category 3/Tier C: For companies not complying with wage protection or labor laws. Fees here are 3,450 AED (approx. 940 USD).

The cost of a UAE work visa depends on your company’s category and your status as a skilled or unskilled worker. According to UAE Labor Law, employers are not allowed to charge employees for any recruitment or visa-related expenses. This covers costs such as medical tests, Emirates ID fees, and recruitment agency charges. If a company asks you to pay for your visa, they are breaking the law.

Required documents

To legally work in the UAE, you must get a job offer and a signed MoHRE employment contract. Then your employer applies for an entry permit, allowing you to enter the country to complete a mandatory medical fitness test and submit biometrics for your Emirates ID.

Everything else that is required for the work permit is also required for the residency visa:

• application form
• emirates ID card
• several passport-photos
• original passport plus photocopy
• copy of valid company card/job contract
• attested educational certificates
• valid commercial license of the company
• medical check and health certificate
• entry permit issued by the Ministry of Labor

Labor cards are issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in the emirate state where you are employed. It takes about 5 working days to receive your labor card. It is typically valid for two years.

You can apply for any of the visa levels through the smartservice.icp.gov.ae website or contact your company for more information as they would be responsible for most part of the visa application process.

The UAE has moved away from physical visa stamps and is digitally linked to your Emirates ID, which serves as your primary proof of employment and residency.

All submitted forms and documents must be written in Arabic or English. You will need three copies: one for yourself, one for your employer, and one for the Department of Labor.

Medical checks for all visa types

• A medical check is required for UAE visa applications.
• Applicants must undergo a health check at a government hospital or medical clinic.
• Medical tests must be conducted within the UAE; tests from outside the country are not accepted.
• The medical check includes a chest X-ray and blood tests. These tests check for communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, leprosy, Hepatitis, and tuberculosis.
• Positive results on any of these tests will result in a denial of the residence visa and immediate deportation.

Business visas The UAE offers business visas for skilled workers who will contribute to the country’s economic prosperity and growth. For inquiries about self-employment visas specifically, please see our Self-Employment section that follows.

Mission visa

This is a 90-day business visa. It must be sponsored by a company in the UAE. It allows expats to enter the country and work for a short period of time. Some expats use this visa to explore the UAE before officially relocating.

Application process: You can’t apply for a Mission Visa on your own; it has to be arranged by a UAE-licensed company. The process is as follows:

1. The company requests a "Mission Work Permit" quota from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
2. You sign a temporary digital employment contract through the MoHRE app or UAE Pass.
3. After MoHRE approval, the ICP (or GDRFA in Dubai) issues your entry permit.
4. For long-term assignments, you must complete a medical fitness test within 15 days of arriving.
5. After passing the medical check, you’ll get a digital "Mission Card" (a short-term version of the Labor Card), linked to your passport and/or Emirates ID.

As for the cost, the employer is responsible for paying between 500 and 1,000 AED for the permit, along with a refundable deposit that is typically 3,000 AED.

The Mission Visa is valid for 90 days and can be renewed once for another 90 days. It can also be issued as a multi-entry permit. Documentation you’ll need a apply includes:

• passport with at least six months’ validity
• a digital photo with a white background
• official job contract

Additionally, for highly specialized roles, possibly attested degrees and professional license issued by competent authority, for example: doctor, nurse, etc. (professional license issued by the Ministry of Health - Department of Health. For more information on this visa check the government website

Golden Visa

This visa type includes specialized talents and researchers in the fields of science and knowledge. This applies to doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, as well as creative individuals in the field of culture and art.

Granting this visa is subject to the following conditions:

• Scientists must be accredited by the Emirates Scientists Council or holders of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence.
• Creative individuals in culture and art must be accredited by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.
• Inventors must obtain a patent of value, which adds to the UAE’s economy. Patents must be approved by the Ministry of Economy.
• Exceptional talents must be documented by patents or a scientific research published in a world-class journal.
• Executives must hold a bachelor’s degree, earn a monthly salary of at least 50,000 AED, and have at least 5 years of experience in a senior role.

Doctors and specialists must meet at least two of the following conditions:

• A Ph. D. degree from one of the top 500 universities in the world.
• An award or certificates of appreciation in the field of the applicant’s work.
• Contribution to a major scientific research in the respective field of work.
• Published articles or scientific books in distinguished publications in the respective field of work.
• Membership in an organization related to the field.
• A Ph. D. degree, in addition to 10-year professional experience in their field.
• Specialization in areas of priority to the UAE.

The visa advantage extends not only to your spouse and children but also to your parents, granting them the same visa duration as yours (10 years). A key benefit of this visa is self-sponsorship. While skilled professionals typically need a job contract with a minimum salary of 30,000 AED (approx. ), many talent categories such as scientists, creatives, and inventors can apply based solely on merit and accreditation, without a job offer.

Additionally, unlike standard residence visas, holders under this category can remain outside the UAE for more than six months without their visa becoming invalid.

You can apply for this visa through the central Government website or via the GDRFAD website if you are in Dubai.

This visa is valid for five or ten years.

Keep in mind

It is illegal to work in the UAE while on a tourist visa. If you secure employment while in the UAE on a tourist visa, you must change your visa status before you start work.

Although there isn't a maximum age limit for employment, the standard retirement age for expats in the UAE is 60. To continue working past this age, you’ll need employer sponsorship and approval from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). For employees aged 65 and above, the hiring process is stricter, and employers must pay a special fee of 5,000 AED (approx. 1,360 USD) every two years to renew the work permit.

To sponsor family members in the UAE, expats do not need a work permit—only a residence visa is required. In fact, it is not possible to obtain a work permit without first having a residence visa. Once expats receive their residency visa, they may sponsor family members to join them in the UAE. To start this process, the expat with UAE residency must sponsor the entry permit of each family member. The sponsoring expat then has 60 days to apply for their dependents’ resident visas. Each family visa will be valid for the same duration as the sponsoring expat’s visa (typically 1 to 5 years or 10 years if the expat is holding a Golden visa).

Here’s what you need to know about bringing your spouse and kids to the UAE:

1. Minimum salary requirements

To sponsor your family, you’ll need to show you can support them without government help.

• Generally, you must have a minimum basic salary of 4,000 AED (1,090 USD)/month or 3,000 AED (820 USD) if your employer provides separate family accommodation).
• Depending on the emirate, female sponsors may face higher requirements or additional conditions. It could be as high as a minimum salary of 10,000 AED (2,700 USD) per month. The old rule that you had to be a doctor or engineer no longer applies.

Submit an official Salary Certificate (for government/Free Zone jobs) or a MoHRE Employment Contract (for private sector).

2. Age limits for children

• Sons: You can now sponsor your sons until they turn 25
• Daughters: You can sponsor unmarried daughters of any age, no limit.
• Children with Special Needs: No age limit, as long as you provide medical reports.

3. Mandatory health insurance Health insurance is required for all residents in every emirate. So, no family visa can be issued or renewed without valid health insurance for each dependent. Also note that the specific requirement defers from emirate to emirate.

Basic plans usually cost 600–1,000 AED (160-270 USD) per year for dependents; it’s more for parents or older dependents. Read more about healthcare in the UAE

4. Housing requirements

You’ll need to show you have enough space for your family. You would have to provide a registered tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai, Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi, or the local equivalent). One-bedroom is usually enough for a spouse and kids. If you’re sponsoring parents, you’ll generally need at least a two-bedroom apartment.

5. Document attestation

This step often causes delays for many expats. Your main certificates (like marriage and birth certificates) need "Triple Attestation":

• Get them notarized and attested by your home country’s foreign affairs office.
• Then, attested by the UAE Embassy in your home country.
• Finally, attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Don’t forget: Documents must be legally translated into Arabic by a certified UAE translator.

Follow these steps, and you’ll have your family with you in the UAE in no time!

Family visa application requirements

• Online application or through a registered typing office
• Emirates ID of the sponsor
• Passport copies of each family member
• Photos of each family member
• Medical clearance and health certificate for each family member
• Copy of the sponsoring expat’s employment contract or company contract
• Salary certificate from the sponsoring expat’s business stating the monthly salary
• Legalized marriage certificate (if sponsoring a spouse)
• Registered tenancy contract

While a specific administrative sub-fee, such as a file opening fee, may be just 100 AED (27 USD), the total government cost for a two-year family visa per person typically ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 AED (approx. 680- 1,360 USD).

Sponsorship for self-employment can be obtained through a free zone, as a contractor through an established company, or through an individual. Self-employment visas are often called freelance visas.

When you apply for a self-employment visa you will be expected to show the proper qualifications in whatever area you intend to work. For example, if your self-employment is in the medical field, you will be expected to show adequate qualifications to the Ministry of Health. Expats are advised to consult a lawyer or business specialist.

There are several self-employment visa types to consider:

• Property investor visa
• Entrepreneurs
• Investors in public investments of at least 2 million AED (approx. 545,000 USD)
• Freelance

1. Property investor visa in the UAE

Granting this visa is subject to the following conditions:

• The investor must invest in a property of a gross value of not less than 2 million AED (545,000 million USD).
• If the amount invested is on a loan basis, you must have a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your bank.
• The property must be retained for at least three years.
• This visa allows holders to remain in the country for five years.

1. Entrepreneurs

This category includes those having an existing project with a minimum capital of 500,000 AED (136,000 USD), or those who have the approval of an accredited business incubator in the country. You can also qualify for this visa if you are the owner or partner in a startup registered in the UAE as an SME that generates annual revenues of at least 1 million AED (272,000 USD).

The entrepreneur is allowed a multi-entry permit for six months, renewable for another six months. The long-term visa includes the spouse and children, a partner and three executives.

This visa allows holders to remain in the country for five years.

1. Investors in public investments

The investment may take many forms such as:

A deposit of at least 2 million AED in an investment fund inside the country. Establishing a company in the UAE with a capital of not less than 2 million AED. Partnering in an existing or new company with a share value of no less than 2 million AED.

Granting this visa is subject to the following conditions:

• The amount invested must not be loaned.
• Must be an accredited UAE investment fund.
• The investment should be retained for at least three years.
• There should be a financial solvency up to 2 million AED.
• This visa can be extended to include business partners, on the condition that each partner contributes 2 million AED.
• The long-term visa can include the spouse and children (sons up to 25, daughters of any age if unmarried) for your full duration, as well as one executive director and one advisor.
• Additionally, you must provide proof of health insurance for yourself and all sponsored family members

*This visa is valid for ten years.

1. Freelance

To apply for the freelance visa, you will need:

• A freelance license application form for your chosen free zone.
• A copy of your passport.
• Your CV
• Attested original qualification certificates by your home country and the UAE
• Proof of health insurance
• Provide a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) stating the transfer of residence visa to freelancer visa (see the entry permit section on entities that can sponsor an entry permit).
• Your 6 months of bank statements
• Portfolio of your work or any samples of work that prove you could freelance in the stated business activity.

In addition to a freelance visa, you will also need to obtain a freelance license. The freelance permit is your legal "right to work" and invoice clients, while the freelance visa grants you the "right to live" in the UAE, usually valid for two years in free zones or five years with a green visa.

The process for that is as follows:

1. Apply with the relevant free zone authority where you intend to hold a freelance license and/or a freelance visa.

2. Submit an application for interim approval along with your passport copy, CV, attested degrees and optionally a reference letter.

3. In case the provisional approval is permitted, you will receive a customer confirmation letter from the respective free zone authority.

4. Once the background check is clear, you receive an offer/confirmation letter. You sign this digitally via UAE Pass or a secure link.

5. Additionally, you must pass a medical test and record your fingerprints for the Emirates ID

6. Make all the payments, such as the freelance permit fee, employee visa sponsorship fee, and (if required by your chosen free zone) first installment of rent for an office space.

7. Once you have your Freelance Permit, the free zone will issue an Entry Permit:

   • If you’re already in the UAE, you’ll complete a "change of status."
   • If you’re outside the UAE, you’ll enter the country using this permit.

The license is typically issued within 7-10 working days and the cost could be as follows:

• Permit only: 7,500–12,000 AED (2,040–3,300 USD) per year
• Visa + Permit package: 15,000–25,000 AED (4,000–6,800 USD) (total for 2 years)

Keep in mind that documents will need to be translated into Arabic. Many expats choose to hire a business specialist to help them throughout the procedure. For the legalization and attestation, you can do this in the UAE embassy or consulate in your country, and the translation can be done by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) approved translator

A note about free zones

For freelancers without a company to back them, the UAE issues freelance visas only within designated “free zones.” Free zones are free trade zones within the emirate states. These zones work under their own regulations, which are separate from the rest of the country. They have their own special tax, customs, and import regimes. Each free zone caters to a specific business category such as design, development, or media.

There are 46 free zones within the UAE.

Abu Dhabi

• Twofour54 offers great benefits to individuals who are interested to become a licensed freelancer
• DIFC is great for finance

Dubai

For all zones you are mandatory expected to conduct your business in your birth name as opposed to a brand name.

Fujairah

Fujairah Creative City Visa availability: three Fujairah free zone visas. Processing time: 6-7 working days.

Umm Al Quwain

Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone: The permit identifies you as a sole practitioner. It enables you to conduct your business in your birth name as opposed to a brand name.

Some free zones may be subject to a freelance visa cap.

Top professions for work as a freelancer

• Web development and designing
• IT consultants
• Creative design
• Software engineering
• Sales and marketing
• Graphics designing
• Mobile app development
• 3D Modelling and computer-aided design (CAD)
• Translation and interpretation

How to find freelance work in the UAE?

Freelancing expats in the UAE find these to be the most useful sites for job postings and general advice:

• FreelanceUAE
• FreelanceHub
• Jobbers.io
• Fiverr
• Behance
• GoFreelance
• Nabbesh
• UpWork

Freelance visa cost

The freelance visa costs can vary from zone to zone. This is the

• General fee registration 2,000 AED (550 USD)
• License 6,000-9,500 AED (680 1,600-2,600 USD)
• Free zone cost 2,500 – 15,000 AED (680-4,000 USD)

The UAE does not have permanent residency visa like some other countries; you can however have a long-term visa which is renewable. Most standard temporary visas are valid for two to three years. It is important to remember that ** a residence visa is needed to open a bank account, get a driving license, register a car, and apply for a mobile phone plan.**

At present, these are the UAE long-term resident visa requirements:

Be a member of one of the following categories:

• Investors
• Entrepreneurs
• Specialized talents
• Researchers
• Scientists
• Positively contribute to the “success story” of the UAE.
• Have 2 million AED worth of investments (approx. 545,000 USD).

One residence benefit is that permanent resident status will automatically be granted to the spouse and children of all Golden (10 year) visa holders.

Additionally, long-term residents will also be granted 100% ownership of any businesses or business assets without needing an Emirate partner. Expats cannot become UAE citizens simply through marriage alone.

How do you obtain a residency permit in the UAE?

There are three ways to qualify for residency in the UAE:

1. Employment: Applying for any of the employment visas as stated above in the employment-based visa section
2. Buying property: Owing a property valued at least 750,000 AED (204,000 USD) permits a 2-year renewable visa.
3. Company registration or freelance visa: This visa type is usually valid for three years, and you can find more information about it in our self-employment section

An Emirate ID card is also known as a Resident Identity Card. Expats must have this card before applying for their residence visa as it is required for the medical test. Exceptions are only made if you already have an application form certified by the Registration Center at the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA). The Emirate ID card contains the holder’s address, photo, date of birth, and fingerprints. You will use this as your official form of ID throughout your stay in the UAE.

To apply for the Emirate ID card expats must provide:

• An entry permit
• Their original passport and a copy
• Expats will bring these items to the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) center.

Once there you will:

1. Visit a typing center with your documents and complete the relevant application form. You can also fill this out online ahead of time.
2. Pay a fee of about 370 AED (100 USD).
3. Have your photograph and fingerprints taken.

Once your application form is approved and stamped and certified by the EIDA, you will use this ID for your residence visa application and medical test.

The duration of your entry permit is the amount of time you have to apply for and receive your residency visa. Again, if you have moved to the UAE for work, your company should complete the visa requirements for you. You will submit all required forms to your company. The general requirements for an application for a resident permit are:

• Application form
• Emirates ID
• Several passport-photos
• Original passport plus photocopy
• Copy of valid company card
• Valid commercial license of the company
• Medical check
• Entry permit issued by the Ministry of Labor

UAE visa requirements and regulations are subject to change. Be sure to refer to the specific GDRFA website of the emirate state where you will be living:

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai (Amer)
• Sharjah
• Ajman
• Ras Al Khaimah
• Fujairah