UAE Guide
The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has announced a temporary measure allowing expatriate residents stranded abroad with expired residency visas to re-enter the UAE without obtaining a new entry permit. The decision covers residents whose residency permits expired on or after February 28, 2026, while they were outside the … Read more
No official ban. But tighter rules, a demographic diversity policy, and a skills-first approach have fundamentally changed who gets a UAE work visa from Pakistan and how. This is the complete, verified picture. Over 1.7 million Pakistanis live and work in the United Arab Emirates. They remit an estimated $5 billion annually back to Pakistan, … Read more
Financial collapse, a global pandemic, once-in-75-years floods, and now a regional conflict on its doorstep. The UAE’s track record across two decades says something that the headlines often miss. If you were watching the news in 2008, you were told Dubai was finished. Property prices were collapsing. Half-built towers sat abandoned on the creek. The … Read more
Quick Answer: UAE visa cancellation must be initiated by your sponsor (your employer for work visas, a family member for dependent visas). The process incurs government fees of AED 100-170 and takes 2-5 business days. After cancellation, you receive a 30-180-day grace period, depending on your visa type and skill level. Overstaying the grace period … Read more
QUICK ANSWER: To sponsor a domestic worker in the UAE, you must earn at least AED 25,000 monthly, hold a valid UAE residency, and apply through MOHRE-licensed Tadbeer centers or GDRFA. The process takes 2-8 weeks and costs between AED 5,000 and AED 17,000, covering entry permits, medical tests, Emirates ID, and health insurance. All … Read more
Quick Answer: Workers in the UAE must obtain an Emirates ID after receiving their work permit and completing the medical fitness test. The process involves submitting an application through the ICP portal or typing center, attending biometrics at a Customer Happiness Center, and paying AED 100 per year of visa validity plus service fees. Standard … Read more
Quick Answer: Since February 2022, UAE employees have been able to change jobs without a No Objection Certificate from their current employers. You must serve notice period (30-90 days per contract), resign properly, and wait for visa cancellation. The new employer applies for a work permit through MOHRE and completes an in-country visa transfer without … Read more
Quick Answer: Medical screening is mandatory for all expatriates aged 18 and over applying for UAE work visas. Tests include blood screening for HIV, hepatitis B/C, syphilis, plus a chest X-ray for tuberculosis. Standard testing costs AED 250-350 with results in 24-48 hours. Premium services cost AED 750 with 30-minute results. Introduction The UAE requires … Read more
Quick Answer: Employment visas in the UAE operate under two separate jurisdictional frameworks. Free zone visas limit your employment to the specific free zone that issued them, with sponsorship handled by the zone authority rather than your employer. These typically run between AED 2,000 and 5,000, and you cannot take mainland employment without going through … Read more
Quick Answer: A Dubai work permit costs between AED 3,000 and AED 7,000 for a standard 2-year visa. The exact amount depends on your employer’s MOHRE classification (Category A, B, or C) and your worker category (skilled, semi-skilled, or unskilled). Your employer legally pays all costs under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Free … Read more