A UAE work visa is issued on the basis of an employment contract with a company registered on the Mainland or in one of the Free Zones. This document grants a foreign professional the legal right to work and reside in the country.
What Is Meant by a “Work Visa”?
In UAE immigration law, there is a distinction between a work entry visa (work entry permit) and a residence visa with the right to work. The first allows you to enter the country and complete the required formalities, while the second grants long‑term residence and employment rights.
It is the residence visa with work authorisation that is most often referred to as a “work visa” in Dubai. This document confirms the right to live in the UAE and links resident status to an employment contract. It sets out the terms of employment, defines the employer’s responsibilities, and includes the employee’s personal details.
A work visa forms part of the UAE residence system. It sets the rules for foreign nationals’ stay, the process for maintaining status, and the requirements for residence visa holders.
Types of Work Visas in the UAE
Standard Employment Residence Visa
This is the main type of work visa in the UAE, issued when a foreign professional is hired. Key features include:
- The sponsor is the employer, registered on the UAE Mainland or in one of the Free Zones.
- Changing employers is allowed only after completing the procedures to terminate the previous contract and arranging new sponsorship.
- Document requirements may vary depending on the emirate and the company’s registration jurisdiction.
Green Residence Visa for Work
This is a long‑term form of residency issued without employer sponsorship. It is designed for skilled professionals who meet the approved categories for job level and education. In certain cases, this visa is available to self‑employed individuals. Its key features include:
- The ability to apply and renew your status independently
- A requirement to evidence qualifications and match your job title to the official classification
- Compliance with standard medical examination and biometric procedures
Related Visa Types
- Golden Visa. This is a long‑term residency granted to certain categories of professionals and investors.
- Investor Visa. This visa is issued on the basis of holding a share in a local company and confirms UAE resident status.
- Freelance Visa. This visa allows you to live in the UAE while being employed by an overseas employer.
These visa types serve different purposes and are issued under separate rules. Each category has its own criteria, requirements, and application process.
It is worth noting that the phrase “business visa in Dubai” is often used in everyday language. It usually refers to obtaining residency with the right to work through an employer or your own company. This is not an official immigration term. In practice, it is used to describe long‑term residence visas that allow you to work or carry on business in the UAE.
Who Is a Work Visa Suitable For and When?
A UAE work visa is issued when a foreign national plans to work and reside in the country under an employment contract. It is required in the following cases:
- There is a job offer from a company registered in Dubai or another emirate.
- Employment is planned with an organisation operating in one of the Free Zones.
- An intra‑group transfer within an international group takes place, where the employee is assigned to a branch or subsidiary in the Emirates.
- Employer sponsorship is required. The employer submits the application on the employee’s behalf, evidences the employee’s qualifications, and ensures compliance with local law.
This visa is suitable for employed professionals, as well as executives or business owners working under an employment contract in their own companies.
Documents and Requirements
To obtain a UAE work visa, you must provide documents that confirm the applicant’s identity, the legality of employment, and the applicant’s professional qualifications.
Main documents:
- A valid passport
- Photographs in the prescribed format
- An employment contract or an official job offer (offer letter)
- The employer’s corporate documents
- Medical test results
- Completed visa forms and payment receipts
In some cases, you may also need educational diplomas, proof of professional qualifications, professional licences, or letters from the relevant authorities.
For companies registered in Free Zones, a separate approval process applies. The list of required documents is set by each Zone’s authority.
The employer acts as the sponsor and submits the application on the employee’s behalf. The employer is responsible for the accuracy of the information provided, compliance with immigration and labour requirements, and the timely renewal of visas.
On the Mainland, staffing quotas and permits are handled by federal authorities. In Free Zones, these functions are performed by the Zone authorities and their service centres. In all cases, the employee’s job title and qualifications must match the company’s licensed activities.
Key Application Steps
The general process for obtaining a UAE work visa is similar across all emirates. Specific requirements depend on the employer’s jurisdiction and the rules of the local regulator, particularly where the company is registered in a Free Zone.
- Employer-side preparation
The company’s valid licence, permissions to hire foreign employees, and the alignment of the job title with the company’s licensed activities are checked. For Free Zone companies, internal regulations and visa quotas set by the Zone authority apply. - Work permit and entry permit
The employer submits the application through authorised government portals. Following review, permits are issued that allow the employee to enter the country and complete the remaining residency formalities. - Entry and medical procedures
Upon arrival in the Emirates, the applicant undergoes the mandatory medical examination at an approved clinic, then submits biometric data for the Emirates ID (resident identity card). - Issuance of the residence visa with the right to work
After document checks and confirmation of the employment contract, a residence visa is issued. It grants the right to live and work in the UAE for the stated term. If the employment contract remains in force, the visa can be renewed without a break in status.
Processing time depends on the emirate, the company category, and the speed of approvals. With correctly prepared documents, the procedure typically takes 10 to 20 days and proceeds without delays.
A Standard Employment Residence Visa is usually issued for two years. It can be renewed if the employment relationship continues.
Common Reasons for Refusals
Refusals when applying for a UAE work visa are most often linked to non‑compliance with the rules or inaccuracies in the documentation. The main reasons include:
- Corporate documents not meeting immigration and labour authority requirements, including issues with the company’s licence or registration details.
- Errors and inconsistencies across application forms, employment contracts, and submitted documents.
- Job title not matching the employer’s licensed activities, or the role not appearing in the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) classification.
- Incomplete medical examination or missing required health certificates.
- The applicant’s qualifications not meeting the prescribed categories for hiring foreign specialists.
- Previous visa breaches or failure to comply with prior residency conditions.
- Use of unaccredited intermediaries or submission channels, raising concerns about document authenticity.
- Failure to update certificates, permits, and registration data required for visa processing.
You can reduce the risk of refusal by completing a full file review, ensuring all data are consistent, and submitting documents only through official channels. All steps should be aligned with the specific requirements of the emirate where residency is being processed.
Rights and Restrictions for Work Visa Holders
A holder of a valid UAE work visa has the legal right to work for the sponsoring employer and reside in the country. They may use local infrastructure on the same basis as other residents. This status allows you to:
- rent accommodation and sign tenancy agreements;
- open bank accounts and use local financial services;
- obtain an Emirates ID (resident identity card);
- obtain a UAE driving licence;
- access healthcare and other public and private services, subject to the rules of the emirate of residence.
A transfer to another employer is only possible after terminating the current contract and arranging new sponsorship. Breaches of immigration or labour rules may result in fines, visa cancellation and, in some cases, a re‑entry ban.
Family Visas for Dependants
After obtaining residency status, an employee may sponsor family visas subject to meeting the minimum income threshold. A valid residence visa and Emirates ID are required, along with a recognised marriage, attested and legalised proof of relationship, health insurance, and a residential tenancy contract. Visas are typically available for a spouse and children and, subject to additional conditions, for parents.
Renewal of Status, Changing Employer and Leaving the UAE
A work visa is renewed if the employment contract remains in force and the basis for residence continues to apply. When changing employer, new sponsorship must be arranged, which in practice means issuing a new residence visa.
After the employment relationship ends, the current status is cancelled. You then have three options:
- leave the country;
- switch to another type of residence visa;
- sign a new employment contract and obtain a new visa.
Timely renewal of the Emirates ID and residence visa is essential to avoid overstay fines and to maintain lawful residence.
Why Choose Uniwide
Uniwide helps employer companies arrange work visas for employees and manage the entire labour immigration process in the UAE. We establish a reliable sponsorship framework and prepare the document pack in line with immigration and labour authority requirements. We also handle application submissions and liaise with regulators on the UAE Mainland and in Free Zones.
Our work at Uniwide is grounded in legal accuracy and thorough verification of corporate and personal data. We coordinate each stage of the visa process, taking into account the emirate, company structure, and staff categories. This approach reduces the risk of refusals and helps employers maintain consistent compliance with UAE visa and human resources requirements.