How to Apply for a UAE Residence Visa (Employment-Based)
An employment residence visa is sponsored by your employer. The steps follow a fixed order. First you get a job offer. Then your employer gets a MOHRE work permit and an entry permit. Next you take a medical fitness test and give your Emirates ID biometrics. Last, your residence permit is issued. The standard visa is valid for 2 years. You can renew it. Your employer handles most steps. You cannot sponsor yourself on this route.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Employer-paid; ICP residence fees AED 420 (2-year visa)
- Total time:
- 1–3 weeks (end to end)
- Steps:
- 7 steps
- Where to apply:
- dubai.ae
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked every 6 months · next review due April 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official UAE sources(October 2026).
0 of 7 steps
- Before You Go Varies
Get a job offer and sign the contract
A UAE employer gives you a job offer. MOHRE approves the contract if the job is on the mainland. A free-zone authority approves it if the job is in a free zone. No employer means no employment visa. You cannot sponsor yourself on this route.
Click to mark as done
- Go 2 working days Employer-paid (from AED 300)
Employer applies for the work permit
Your employer applies to MOHRE for a 2-year work permit. Or your employer can use the Work Bundle platform. That one application covers the permit, residency, Emirates ID, medical test, and contract. The employer pays the fees. These are an AED 50 federal fee, plus an issuance fee of AED 250, AED 1,200, or AED 3,450. The issuance fee depends on the company's category.
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- Submit & Pay Entry permit valid 60 days AED 500 status adjustment (if already in UAE)
Entry permit is issued
When the work permit is approved, you get an entry permit. You must enter the UAE within 60 days of the day it is issued. This is the standard entry permit validity. Some categories are different. For example, transit permits and e-visas for GCC residents have shorter windows. Check the validity printed on your permit. Are you already inside the UAE? Then apply for a status change instead. The status-adjustment fee is AED 500.
Click to mark as done
- Go Result typically same/next day Varies by emirate/centre
Pass the medical fitness test
You take a blood test and a chest X-ray at an approved medical fitness centre. Everyone aged 18 and over must take this test. You usually get the result on the same day or the next day. The fee depends on the emirate and how fast you need it. Check the fee at the centre.
Click to mark as done
- Go Same-day appointment From AED 300 (2-year card)
Complete Emirates ID biometrics
You give your fingerprints and a photo at an ICP service centre or another authorised centre. This happens at the same time as the residence process. See the Emirates ID guide for the full details. The card costs AED 100 per year, plus an AED 100 smart services fee.
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- Submit & Pay ~48 hours after medical clearance AED 420 (2-year visa)
Residence permit is issued
Once your medical result is clear, your employer applies online. The permit is issued within about 48 hours. These are the ICP fees. You pay an AED 100 application fee. You pay AED 100 per year for issuance. You pay an AED 100 smart services fee. And you pay an AED 20 financial security deposit. For the standard 2-year visa, the total is AED 420 (100 + 2×100 + 100 + 20).
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- Follow Up Varies by policy
Arrange mandatory health insurance
Health insurance is a must. Your employer normally arranges it for you. Check that the policy is active before you use it for medical visits.
Click to mark as done
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for an employment visa myself?
No. Your employer is your sponsor. The employer must get the MOHRE work permit first. Foreign nationals cannot get a work permit on their own.
I am already in the UAE on a visit visa. Do I need to leave?
No, you do not need to leave. Apply for a status change instead of a new entry permit. You must also pay the AED 500 status-adjustment fee, per ICP.
How long is the visa valid?
The standard employment residence visa is valid for 2 years. You can renew it for similar periods.
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