Dubai Employment Visa Process — Fees, Documents, Steps

Getting an employment visa in Dubai is a two-authority process. Your employer starts with a work permit from MOHRE, then you apply for a residence permit from GDRFA. This article breaks down the exact government fees for both stages, the documents you need, and the step-by-step process from job offer to visa stamped in your passport.

If you are an employer processing a new hire or an employee joining a Dubai company, this covers everything you need to know.

Eligibility — who qualifies

The employment visa has straightforward eligibility requirements:

• The employee must be 18 years of age or older
• The employee must not possess an active work permit (you cannot hold two at once)
• The sponsoring establishment must have electronic quota available
• The establishment must maintain a valid licence without any registered violations resulting in suspension of operations
• Your job title and activities must be compatible with your employer's licensed business activities
• Employees in specialised professions (e.g., physician, pharmacist, teacher) must meet the licensing requirements set out in applicable legislation

Required documents

For the MOHRE work permit

• Passport copy — Valid for at least six months. Clear copy required.
• Clear coloured photo — White background, digital format.
• Official job offer form — Issued by the Ministry, signed by both the employer and employee.
• Academic certificates — Required based on skill level:
• Skill levels 1 and 2: Bachelor's degree or higher
• Skill levels 3 and 4: Diploma or higher
• Skill level 5: High school certificate
• Skill levels 6 to 9: No certificate required
• Professional licence (if applicable) — Required for regulated professions such as doctor, nurse, teacher, fitness trainer, or legal practitioner. Must be issued by the competent authority.
• National ID card (if applicable) — Required only for workers from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran. Legible and clear copy of both sides.

For the GDRFA residence permit

• Passport copy — Valid for at least six months
• Personal photograph — Recent, white background
• Medical examination — Approved by the relevant authorities, required for all persons over 18

Fees and costs

MOHRE work permit fees

Work permit application (all categories): AED 50 (government fee)

Issuance — Category 1 (2 years): AED 250 (government fee)

Issuance — Category 2 (2 years): AED 1,200 (government fee)

Issuance — Category 3 (2 years): AED 3,450 (government fee)

Business centres commission (per service): AED 72 (optional, capped)

Total MOHRE fees by category:

• Category 1: AED 300 (application + issuance)
• Category 2: AED 1,250 (application + issuance)
• Category 3: AED 3,500 (application + issuance)

GDRFA residence permit fees

Residence permit fee: AED 200 (government fee)

Knowledge Dirham: AED 10 (government fee)

Innovation Dirham: AED 10 (government fee)

Fee inside the country: AED 500 (government fee)

Delivery: AED 20 (government fee)

Total GDRFA fees: AED 740

Not included

The exact cost of the mandatory medical fitness examination, Emirates ID issuance fees, basic health insurance premiums, and translation or attestation fees for academic certificates are not detailed in the MOHRE and GDRFA sources.

The exact fee for medical fitness and Emirates ID varies by case — our team will give you the precise figure for your situation.

Process and timeline

The Dubai employment visa involves two main stages:

Stage 1: MOHRE work permit

1. Job offer — The employer issues an official job offer form through MOHRE 2. Document submission — The employer submits the employee's passport, photo, academic certificates, and any required professional licences 3. Work permit issuance — MOHRE reviews the application and issues the 2-year work permit 4. Entry permit — If the employee is outside the UAE, an entry permit is issued for them to travel to Dubai

Stage 2: GDRFA residence permit

5. Medical fitness test — The employee completes the medical examination at an approved centre in Dubai 6. Emirates ID application — The employee applies for their Emirates ID 7. Residence permit application — The employer applies through GDRFA for the 2-year residence permit 8. Biometrics — The employee attends for fingerprinting and photo 9. Visa stamping — The residence visa is stamped in the employee's passport

A residence permit entitles private sector workers to reside in the country for a period of two years, renewable for similar periods under the same conditions.

The total processing time from job offer to final visa stamp is not published in MOHRE or GDRFA sources.

Common questions

What are the educational requirements for a skilled worker visa in Dubai?

Skill levels 1 and 2 require a bachelor's degree or higher. Skill levels 3 and 4 require a diploma or higher. Skill level 5 requires a high school certificate. Skill levels 6 to 9 have no certificate requirement.

Do I need a medical test for a Dubai employment visa?

Yes. A medical examination approved by the relevant authorities is required for all persons over 18 years of age. This is completed after arrival in the UAE.

How long is a private sector residence visa valid in Dubai?

A residence permit entitles private sector workers to reside in the country for a period of two years, renewable for a similar period or periods under the same conditions.

How much are the government fees for a MOHRE work permit?

The application fee is AED 50 for all categories. The issuance fee depends on the company's category: AED 250 for Category 1, AED 1,200 for Category 2, and AED 3,450 for Category 3.

Can I apply for a new work permit if I already have one active?

No. You cannot hold two active work permits. Your current work permit must be cancelled before a new one can be issued.