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Hire and onboard talent legally in Dubai

To legally work in Dubai and across the UAE, expatriate employees must hold a MOHRE work permit (private sector) and a UAE residence visa under employer sponsorship. MOHRE issues 13 types of work permits depending on the role/arrangement (new hire, part-time, transfer, temporary, etc.). Once the permit is approved, residency is completed via GDRFA (Dubai) / ICP (federal).

Who can sponsor an employment visa?

  • Mainland (private sector)

    Employers registered with MOHRE
  • Free zone companies

    (via their respective authority) Sponsors apply for the work permit first, then complete residency (entry permit → status change → medical → Emirates ID → visa stamping).

Documents typically required

  • Passport (6+ months validity) & compliant photo
  • Offer letter/employment contract and MOHRE application
  • Entry permit (if outside UAE) or status change (if inside)
  • Medical fitness certificate from an approved centre (EHS/DHA)
  • Emirates ID biometrics (ICP)
Authorities may request additional documents case-by-case.)

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Step-by-step process (Dubai / UAE)

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MOHRE work permit

Employer secures the appropriate permit type for the role (new hire, part-time, transfer, etc.).

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Entry permit (eVisa) & status change

Employee enters the UAE or converts in-country.

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Medical fitness

Undertaken at an approved centre; a fitness certificate is mandatory for residency issuance/renewal.

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Emirates ID

Biometrics captured and ID application filed with ICP.

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Residency stamping

GDRFA/ICP issues the residence visa (2-3 years typical) linked to the employment contract/authority.

Good to know: submissions are now fully digital through government portals, which speeds up processing and reduces errors.

How Consultycs helps (end-to-end)

  1.   Map the right MOHRE permit type to each role (incl. part-time/transfer)
  2.  Prepare and file entry permits, status changes, and medical/Emirates ID
  3.  Manage GDRFA/ICP residency stamping and renewals
  4.  Align HR onboarding with current rules to avoid penalties and delays

Validity, renewals & grace periods

  • Validity: Commonly 2 years in mainland; some free zones issue up to 3 years, per authority.
  • Grace after cancellation/expiry The grace period varies by visa type and is shown in your ICP/GDRFA record; overstay fines are AED 50/day after the grace period. Always check your individual record.

Frequently Asked Any Questions

  • How long does it take to get an employment visa?
    Once documents are in order, the sequence (permit → entry/status change → medical → Emirates ID → stamping) typically completes within several working days, depending on authority's workloads.
  • What medical checks are required?
    A medical fitness exam at an approved centre is mandatory for new visas and renewals
  • Is part-time or multiple-employer work allowed?
    Yes, the UAE recognises part-time arrangements and additional work with the appropriate MOHRE permit and approvals.
  • What if a visa is cancelled, how long can the person stay?
    Grace periods differ by case/visa type; check your ICP record. AED 50/day overstay fines apply after the grace period.
  • How long is the visa valid?
    Commonly 2 years (mainland), with some free zones issuing up to 3 years, subject to authority policy and contract.