Because of the rich work possibilities, safety, and diverse community in the UAE, some of the best foreign talents is drawn to the country.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers five different kinds of work visas, including normal work visas that are given to anyone working in the private sector, government agencies, and free zones, as well as long-term residency visas like the Green Visa and Golden Visa.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the immigration agency responsible for issuing visas in the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain. In the UAE, residency visas for Dubai are issued by the General Directorate of Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) (ICP).
1. Company-sponsored work visa
If you have accepted a work offer in the UAE, you may enter the country on a company-sponsored visa. These visas can last for two or three years and must be renewed by the sponsor after that time.
The employer will provide entrance permission to allow you to enter the UAE once you have accepted and signed a job offer letter.
Your employer will start the visa application procedure once you arrive in the UAE. This entails obtaining your residency permit and Emirates ID sent to you as well as undergoing your medical fitness test and providing your fingerprint for the Emirates ID.
It is the employer’s responsibility to submit an application for the employee’s residency permit and to pay for the costs of hiring and obtaining a visa.
2. Green visa
The Green Visa is an unsponsored, five-year resident permit for the United Arab Emirates. Holders of green visas have a six-month grace period following the cancellation and expiration of their visas and can sponsor first-degree relatives in the UAE.
Only those who meet the prerequisites can apply for the Green Visa, including skilled workers, independent contractors, and investors.
For skilled employees
Skilled workers must meet four requirements, according to the UAE, in order to apply for the Green Visa:
- Have a valid employment contract
- According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization, be classified in the first, second, or third occupational level (MOHRE).
- Possess at least a bachelor’s degree.
- Get at least Dh15,000 per month in salary.
For freelancers
Only those who fit these three criteria can apply for the Green visa as independent contractors or freelancers:
- Freelancer permit from MOHRE.
- Documentation of a specialized certification or bachelor’s degree.
- A minimum income of Dh360,000, or the equivalent in another currency, must be shown for the previous two years.
3. Golden Visa
If you’re considering possibilities for long-term residency, the Golden Visa enables ex-pats to live, work, and study in the UAE for ten years without the need for a sponsor. The visa is open to people who are frontline heroes (doctors and nurses), exceptional high school and college graduates, investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and humanitarian workers.
Golden visa holders are permitted to sponsor an unlimited number of family members, including spouses, kids, and support employees, and the visa is renewable as long as the necessary requirements are met. Also, there are no limitations on how long a person may stay outside the UAE before losing their Golden Residency.
If you’re not sure if you’re eligible for the 10-year visa, you may find out in two minutes by taking a free quiz on the ICP website.
4. Freelance visa
If you don’t match the criteria for the Green Visa, you can choose to apply for the two-year ordinary freelancing visa instead. If you do not already have a family visa sponsored by a family member, you will also need a freelance work permit in order to operate as a freelancer in the United Arab Emirates.
5. Domestic worker visa
For domestic help, the UAE also grants a visa that is sponsored by the employer. According to the UAE’s domestic workers’ law, Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, residents cannot hire a domestic worker unless that person has a current domestic worker license.