Quick Answer: To work legally in the UAE, your employer handles most steps, covering costs (AED 3,000-7,000), which should reassure you about support during the process.

Thinking about working in the UAE? Whether you’ve landed a job offer from a Dubai company or you’re exploring your options, understanding the visa and work permit system is essential. The good news is that the process is straightforward once you know how it works, and your employer handles most of it.

However, there’s also some confusion. People mix up work permits and residence visas, don’t know who’s supposed to pay for what, or aren’t clear on the difference between free zone and mainland employment. This guide covers everything you need to know about working legally in the UAE in 2026.

• For a detailed step-by-step breakdown, see our UAE Employment Visa Process Guide

Not sure which is right for you? Read Free Zone vs Mainland Work Visa: Key Differences

Understanding the UAE Employment System

First, let’s clear up a common misconception. When people talk about a ‘work visa’ in the UAE, they’re actually referring to two separate documents that work together:

Work Permit (Labour Card): This is issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and authorizes you to work for a specific employer in the UAE. It specifies your job title, employer, and employment terms.

Residence Visa: Issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or the ICP, it allows you to live in the UAE. It’s stamped in your passport (or linked electronically to your Emirates ID since 2021).

You need both to work legally, emphasizing that compliance is essential and that these documents work together to protect your employment rights.

• Learn more about work permit requirements in our Dubai Work Permit Requirements & Costs guide
• For long-term options, explore our UAE Long-Term Residency Complete Guide

Need help with your ID card? See Emirates ID Application: Complete Guide for Workers

Who Needs a Work Permit?

Under UAE law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), any foreign national working in the UAE must have a valid work permit. This applies to:

• Employees in the private sector
• Free zone employees
• Freelancers and self-employed individuals (freelance permit)
• Part-time workers
• Even Golden Visa holders who take up employment

The only exceptions are UAE and GCC nationals, who can work without a permit. Everyone else—regardless of nationality, job level, or salary—needs one.

13 Types of Work Permits in the UAE: MOHRE offers a range of permits tailored to different employment situations, such as the Standard Work Permit for new hires and the Transfer Work Permit for job changes within the UAE. Here’s what each one is for:

MOHRE offers 13 different types of work permits to cover various employment situations. Here’s what each one is for:

1. Standard Work Permit (New Recruitment)

The most common type. Your employer applies for this to bring you to the UAE from abroad. Valid for 2 years, renewable.

2. Transfer Work Permit

Used when you’re already in the UAE and switch jobs. Your new employer applies for this to transfer your sponsorship. You don’t have to leave the country.

3. Family Sponsorship Work Permit

For people already living in the UAE on a family visa (sponsored by spouse/parent). Your employer gets you a work permit while your residence visa remains under family sponsorship.

4. Temporary Work Permit

For short-term projects lasting up to 6 months. Often used for seasonal work, events, or fixed-term contracts. You must leave after the project ends.

5. Mission Work Permit

For workers brought from abroad for a specific, time-limited project. Similar to temporary, but for workers not already in the UAE.

6. Part-Time Work Permit

Allows you to work for multiple employers simultaneously. Minimum 20 hours per week required. No need for approval from your primary employer.

7. Golden Visa Work Permit

For Golden Visa holders taking up employment. Even though you have long-term residency, your employer still needs to issue a work permit to employ you legally.

8. Juvenile Work Permit

For workers aged 15-18. Requires parental consent, maximum 6 working hours per day, and cannot involve hazardous work.

9. Student Training/Employment Permit

For students aged 15+ who want to gain work experience or internships while studying. Limited to 3 months for training purposes.

10. National Trainee Permit

For Emirati nationals trained by private-sector companies. Supports the UAE’s Emiratisation goals.

11. Freelance Work Permit

The only permit you can apply for yourself (all others require an employer application). For self-employed individuals working independently without a specific employer. Requires a freelance license from MOHRE or a free zone.

12. Private Teacher Work Permit

For qualified tutors offering private lessons. Free to apply through MOHRE. Available to school teachers, university students, and even unemployed individuals.

13. GCC National Work Permit

For citizens of GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar) employed by UAE companies.

Employment Visa Types: Standard, Green, and Golden visas differ in validity, sponsorship, job flexibility, and costs. For example, the Standard visa is employer-sponsored and valid for 2 years, while the Golden Visa offers 10 years of self-sponsorship, providing greater independence.

Beyond the work permit, your residence visa type determines how long you can stay and what flexibility you have:

For most workers, the standard 2-year employment visa is what you’ll get. The Green and Golden Visas are for those seeking self-sponsorship and greater independence from employers.

Free Zone vs Mainland Employment

Where your employer is registered significantly affects your visa and what you can do in the UAE.

Mainland Companies

These are companies registered with the Department of Economic Development (DED) in any emirate. Working for a mainland company means:

• Your visa is processed through MOHRE and GDRFA
• You can work anywhere in the UAE without restrictions
• You can provide services to any client, government, or private
• Generally higher visa costs (AED 5,000-7,000)
• Processing may take slightly longer

Free Zone Companies

The UAE has more than 40 free zones, each with its own authority. Working for a free zone company means:

• Your visa is processed through the free zone authority
• You can technically only work within that free zone
• In practice, this rule is loosely enforced for employees
• Lower costs (AED 3,500-6,500)
• Often faster processing

For employees, the practical difference is minimal. The bigger implications are for business owners setting up companies. As an employee, you just need to know that the relevant authority will handle your visa process—MOHRE/GDRFA for the mainland, or your specific free zone authority.

Employment Visa Costs: Complete Breakdown

Here’s an important rule: under UAE labor law, your employer must pay 100% of employment visa costs. If any employer asks you to pay for your own visa, that’s illegal and a red flag.

That said, it’s helpful to know what the costs are:

• Get the full picture in UAE Visa Fees & Costs: Complete Breakdown 2026
• Wondering about the medical? Read UAE Work Visa Medical Test: What to Expect

For Emirates ID details, check Emirates ID Application: Complete Guide for Workers

Why Does the Work Permit Cost Vary So Much?

The most significant variable is the work permit fee itself (AED 200 to AED 5,000). This depends on:

Company Classification: MOHRE classifies companies into Category A, B, and C based on compliance with labor laws, Emiratisation quotas, and wage protection. Category A (best compliance) pays AED 250-300. Category C pays up to AED 5,000.

Employee Skill Level: Highly qualified workers (bachelor’s degree+) get lower fees (AED 300). Semi-skilled workers pay AED 600-2,000. Unskilled workers pay up to AED 5,000.

Worker Age: Employees over 65 years old incur an additional AED 5,000 surcharge.

Employment Visa Process: Step by Step

Whether you’re abroad or already in the UAE on a visit visa, here’s how the employment visa process works:

Step 1: Job Offer & Contract

Your employer issues a formal job offer, and you sign the employment contract. This contract must be registered with MOHRE (mainland) or the free zone authority. Make sure the contract clearly states your salary, benefits, job title, and terms.

Step 2: Work Permit Application

Your employer applies for your work permit through MOHRE’s electronic system (Tas’heel) or the free zone portal. They submit company documents, your employment contract, and your details. Approval typically takes 3-5 working days.

Step 3: Entry Permit

Once the work permit is approved, your employer applies for an Entry Permit. This allows you to enter the UAE to complete the visa process. The entry permit is emailed to you and is valid for 60 days from the date of issue.

Step 4: Arrival in the UAE

You travel to the UAE using the entry permit. Upon arrival, immigration stamps your passport, and you have 60 days to complete the remaining steps.

Step 5: Medical Fitness Test

Within 14 days of arrival, you must undergo a medical fitness test at an approved health center. This includes a blood test (checking for HIV and Hepatitis B) and a chest X-ray (checking for tuberculosis). Results take 24-48 hours.

Step 6: Emirates ID Biometrics

You visit an ICP service center to provide biometrics (fingerprints, photo) for your Emirates ID. This card is essential for everything in the UAE—banking, mobile phones, renting, and driving licenses.

Step 7: Residence Visa Stamping

After passing the medical and completing biometrics, your employer submits the final application. Your residence visa is issued electronically and linked to your Emirates ID (passports are no longer physically stamped since 2021).

Step 8: Start Working

Once your Emirates ID is issued and your visa is active, you can officially start working. The entire process typically takes 2-4 weeks if everything goes smoothly.

Changing Jobs in the UAE

One of the most significant changes in recent years is the increased flexibility for employees to switch jobs.

The Old System (Before 2022)

Previously, changing jobs required your employer’s permission, and there were restrictions on working for competitors or in the same industry. Many workers were essentially tied to their employers.

The New System (2022 Onwards)

Under the new UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), employees can change jobs more freely:

• After your contract ends, you can switch to any new employer
• If you resign during an unlimited contract, you give notice and can move
• Your new employer applies for a Transfer Work Permit
• You don’t need to leave the UAE during the switch
• Non-compete clauses are limited and must be reasonable

Grace Period

If your employment is cancelled (resignation or termination), you have:

• 30-day grace period on standard employment visas
• 6 months grace period on Green Visa
• 6 months grace period on Golden Visa

During the grace period, you can stay in the UAE, look for a new job, and switch employers without leaving. If you don’t find a job within the grace period, you must leave or face overstay fines.

Sponsoring Your Family

Once you have a valid employment visa, you can sponsor your family members to live in the UAE with you. Here are the requirements:

The cost to sponsor each family member is approximately AED 4,000-6,500 per person, which includes their entry permit, residence visa, medical test, and Emirates ID. Unlike employee visa costs, family visa fees are typically paid by the employee, not the employer (unless your employment package covers them).

Documents Required for Employment Visa

Your employer will request these documents from you:

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity, clear copies of all pages)
• Passport-sized photos (white background, recent)
• Educational certificates (attested if required for your role)
• Professional certificates or licenses (if applicable)
• Previous employment references (sometimes requested)
• Police clearance certificate (for some nationalities/roles)

Document Attestation

For skilled positions, your educational certificates may need attestation. The process involves:

1. Attestation by the issuing institution
2. Attestation by your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
3. UAE Embassy attestation in your country
4. UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation
5. Ministry of Education equivalency (for some professions)

The cost ranges from AED 500 to 2,000 depending on the number of documents and whether you use an agency. This is typically your expense, though some employers include it in relocation packages.

What Your Employer Must Provide

UAE labor law clearly defines what employers are responsible for:

Visa & Work Permit Costs: 100% paid by employer, including renewals.

Health Insurance: Mandatory coverage must be provided. Basic plans cover hospitalization and essential treatments.

Salary Protection: Employers must pay salaries through the Wage Protection System (WPS), a government-monitored banking system.

End of Service Gratuity: Upon leaving, you’re entitled to severance pay based on years of service (21 days’ salary per year for the first 5 years, 30 days per year after that).

Annual Leave: Minimum 30 days paid leave per year after one year of service.

Flight Ticket Home: One return ticket to your home country per year (if employment ends, employer pays repatriation).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Working on a Tourist Visa

This is illegal. You cannot work on a tourist visa or a visit visa under any circumstances. Penalties include fines of up to AED 50,000, deportation, and a potential ban on entry to the UAE. Don’t let anyone convince you it’s okay ‘temporarily’ while your work visa is being processed.

Paying for Your Own Visa

If an employer asks you to pay visa costs or deduct them from your salary, that’s a violation of UAE labor law. Report them to MOHRE.

Not Understanding Your Contract

Read your employment contract carefully. Ensure it aligns with the discussion on salary, benefits, job title, and terms. The Arabic version is the legally binding version in the event of a dispute.

Overstaying Your Grace Period

If you lose your job, you have 30 days (standard visa) or 6 months (Green/Golden) to find new employment or leave the country. Overstaying incurs a daily fine of AED 50.

Working Without a Permit

Even if you have a residence visa (family sponsorship, property investor), you cannot work without a separate work permit from MOHRE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Resources

MOHRE: mohre.gov.ae  Work permits, labor law, complaints

ICP: icp.gov.ae  Residence visas, Emirates ID

GDRFA Dubai: gdrfad.gov.ae  Dubai-specific immigration

UAE Government: u.ae  Official visa information

Tas’heel: tasheel.mohre.gov.ae  Employer services portal

Disclaimer: UAE labor and immigration laws are updated periodically. This guide reflects 2026 regulations. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult with your employer or legal advisor for your specific situation.

Last Updated: February 2026