UAE Employment Visa and Work Permit Process for Employers 2026

UAE Employment Visa and Work Permit Process for Employers 2026

Hiring UAE employees requires obtaining UAE work permits and residence visas. The process involves multiple UAE government systems (MOHRE, ICA, GDRFA/EIDA). This guide covers the UAE employment visa and work permit process for employers in 2026.

UAE Work Permit Process Overview

The UAE employment visa process has two main steps:

1. Work Permit (Labour Card): issued by MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation); authorises the employee to work for the specific employer in UAE
2. Residence Visa: issued by Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICA) or GDRFA (Dubai); stamped in passport or linked to Emirates ID

Step-by-Step Employer Process

1. Employer MOHRE account: employer registers on MOHRE portal; corporate MOHRE account linked to UAE trade licence
2. Employee entry permit: employer applies for employee’s entry permit (for employees not yet in UAE); employee enters UAE on this permit
3. Medical fitness test: employee undergoes UAE medical fitness test (blood test for TB, HIV; chest X-ray)
4. Emirates ID application: employee applies for Emirates ID (biometrics)
5. Work permit (labour card): MOHRE issues labour card for the employee-employer relationship
6. Residence visa: ICA/GDRFA stamps residence visa in passport or issues visa linked to Emirates ID
7. Health insurance: mandatory for Dubai employees (DHA); strongly recommended for all emirates

UAE Emiratisation (Quota Requirements)

UAE mainland companies with 50+ employees must comply with Emiratisation quotas (Nafis programme):

• Target: 2% Emirati employees per year growth (for companies with 50+ employees)
• Penalty for non-compliance: AED 6,000/month per unfilled Emiratisation position
• Free zone companies: UAE Emiratisation quotas technically apply to mainland companies; free zone companies have different (lower) requirements

UAE Employment Visa Costs (Rough Guide)

• MOHRE work permit fee: AED 300–600 (depends on employee skill level and nationality)
• Medical fitness test: AED 300–500
• Emirates ID: AED 372 (3-year ID)
• Residence visa stamp: AED 200–500
• Total employer cost per employee: AED 1,500–3,000 (first-time; excluding business class air ticket if employer provides)