The United Arab Emirates, also known as UAE, is a popular destination for expatriates due to its relatively simple visa requirements compared to other Middle Eastern countries.
This makes the country an excellent choice for international development companies. However, like any other country, there are specific requirements that must be adhered to regarding immigration, residence visas, and work permits.
Types of Work Visas in the United Arab Emirates
On September 5, 2022, the UAE government implemented new immigration regulations, including the introduction of several new categories of residence visa systems.
According to the new regulations, work residence permits include:
1. Residence Permit for Contract Employment: This is an employer-sponsored residence permit, requiring approval from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and an employment contract.
2. Green Visa: This is a 5-year self-sponsored residence permit for investors, highly skilled workers, and freelancers.
Requirements for Obtaining a UAE Work Visa
To obtain a residence visa in the UAE, an employee needs to provide the following documents:
Passport with a minimum validity of 6 months, photocopy of the passport, passport photo, UAE identity card, Ministry of Labour (MOL) entry permit, medical examination results, photocopy of the employer's company card, photocopy of the company's commercial license, proof of a bachelor's degree (only applicable to managerial positions)
Employees can apply for a residence visa after obtaining an entry visa. The employee's work permit will be listed as part of the residence visa. To obtain a work permit, employees need all the above documents, as well as a work permit application form, which must be filled out in Arabic, and an employment contract or job invitation from a UAE company.
Application Process
Considering the process of obtaining a UAE work permit in three stages may be helpful: obtaining an employment entry visa, obtaining a UAE identity card (also known as a resident identity card), and obtaining a residence visa and work permit.
1. How to Obtain a UAE Entry Visa
The UAE Employment Visa Entry Permit (EVEP), also known as the pink visa. To start the application process for this permit, the employer must apply for a visa quota approval on behalf of the employee. This approval is obtained through the MOL.
Next, the employer will submit the employment contract to the Ministry of Labour. The prospective employee must sign this contract.
The Ministry of Labour must approve the work permit application before issuing the employment entry visa. After obtaining approval and the visa, the employee will have 2 months to enter the UAE.
After entering the UAE with the pink visa, the employee has 60 days to obtain a residence visa and an official work permit. As of February 2023, international employees who are unable to travel to the UAE within the first 60 days can apply for an additional 60-day extension. This is available for all types of visas but only once.
2. Obtaining a UAE Identity Card
A medical examination is required for the UAE identity card, and employees need to apply for a residence visa. To apply for the identity card, employees must provide the entry visa, original passport, and a photocopy of the passport. Employees must apply in person at the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) center, providing biometric information, including fingerprints and photographs.
3. Obtaining a Residence Visa and Work Permit
To apply for a residence visa, employees will need all the necessary documents listed in the previous section. The UAE contract work residence visa is valid for up to 2 years and can be renewed. The employee's work permit will be listed as part of the residence visa.
Once the work permit is approved, the employee can officially start working.
Other Important Considerations
One of the unique considerations for working in the UAE is that the work permit must be sponsored by an entity that has obtained local permission and is registered in the UAE.
For companies in the early stages of global growth, this requirement can complicate the process. If your company does not have an office in the UAE, you can work with UAE global growth experts.
Some employees may also wish to bring their family members to the UAE. After receiving their own resident visa, employees can sponsor residence visas for family members. While this entitles them to reside in the country, they are not allowed to work in the UAE.
