Article Overview
If a UAE employer has offered you a job, the employer sponsors your employment visa and work permit. The process has several stages, from the work permit approval to your Emirates ID, and knowing them helps you prepare documents in time. This guide explains the typical steps for private-sector employees on the mainland; free zones follow a similar process through their own authorities.
Step 1: Job offer and contract
The employer issues an offer letter and, once you accept, prepares the employment contract in the format required by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Check the job title, salary and benefits carefully, as these appear on your official documents.
Step 2: Work permit approval
The employer applies to MOHRE for a work permit. This includes checks on the company's quota and the job category. For some professions, attested qualifications are needed at this stage.
Step 3: Entry permit
Once the work permit is approved, the employer applies for your employment entry permit through ICP or, in Dubai, GDRFA. The entry permit lets you enter the UAE to complete the visa process, and you usually need to enter within its validity period. If you are already in the UAE on a visit visa, a status change may be possible instead of leaving the country.
Step 4: Medical fitness test
After arrival, you complete a medical fitness test at an approved centre. It usually includes a blood test and chest X-ray to screen for certain infectious diseases. Results are sent electronically to the authorities.
Step 5: Emirates ID biometrics
You apply for your Emirates ID and give fingerprints and a photo at an ICP or authorised centre. The Emirates ID is your main identity document in the UAE, used for banking, phone contracts, healthcare and more.
Step 6: Residence visa
The employer applies for your residence visa, which is now linked to the Emirates ID and often issued electronically. The residence visa is usually valid for two years for private-sector employees, renewable while you remain employed.
Step 7: Labour card and contract registration
Your contract is registered with MOHRE, and you receive your work permit or labour card details. Keep copies of your contract and permit, as they are needed for future changes such as transferring to a new employer.
Documents you usually need
- Passport valid for at least six months, with a clear copy.
- Passport-size photos with a white background.
- Attested educational certificates, if required for your job category. For Pakistani degrees, attestation usually involves HEC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan, then UAE attestation.
- Signed offer letter and contract.
- Medical fitness results and health insurance.
Who pays the costs?
Under UAE labour law, the employer is responsible for the costs of recruitment and the employment visa process. Be cautious if anyone asks you to pay for a job offer or visa.
Bringing your family
Once you hold a residence visa and meet the salary and accommodation conditions, you can usually sponsor your spouse and children for residence visas.
Common delays
- Degree attestation started too late.
- Spelling differences between passport and certificates.
- Entering the UAE after the entry permit has expired.
- Medical test results needing further checks.
How ZANS Consultants can help
Once you have an offer from a UAE employer, we help you prepare and attest documents and understand each stage of the visa process. Learn more about our UAE Work Visa service and the UAE Golden Visa routes for long-term residency, or book a consultation.
General information only: UAE employment and residence rules change. Check the current requirements with MOHRE, ICP or GDRFA. The UAE authorities make the final decision on every application.
