How long does an Employment Visa take to process?

From a clean offer letter to stamped visa with Emirates ID, expect 2–4 weeks. The slowest steps are origin-country degree attestation (when needed) and the medical fitness slot. Express channels exist at MOHRE and most free zones for an extra fee.

Can I bring my family on an Employment Visa?

Yes, once your residency is stamped. You sponsor a spouse, children, and (under stricter rules) parents, subject to a salary threshold — generally AED 4,000+ basic plus accommodation, or AED 10,000+ all-in. You apply for Family Visas through GDRFA or ICP after your own residency is active.

What happens to my visa if the company closes?

Company Liquidation triggers cancellation of all employment visas. Employees enter the standard 30-day grace period — find a new sponsor, switch to a self-sponsored route (Investor Visa via your own license, or Golden Visa if eligible), or exit the UAE.

Visa & Immigration

Employment Visa

Two-year residency tied to a UAE employer. Handled together with investor and employee visas — including medical and biometrics — during the mainland setup journey.

Also known as

UAE Work Visa
Work Permit Residency

What it is

An Employment Visa is a UAE residence visa issued to a foreign national hired by a UAE-licensed employer. It is typically valid for 2 years (some free zones issue 3 years), tied directly to the employing entity, and renewable while the employment continues. The visa is anchored to a Work Permit issued by MOHRE (mainland) or the relevant Free Zone Authority, processed through Tasheel for mainland and the zone's online portal for free zones.

The lifecycle starts with an Entry Permit pulled by the employer, followed by the employee's UAE entry, status change, Medical Fitness Test, biometrics, and Visa Stamping with the Emirates ID. The whole journey usually runs 2–4 weeks once the employer's Establishment Card and quota are clean.

Because the visa is employer-tied, switching jobs requires a clean Visa Cancellation by the current sponsor and a fresh visa under the new sponsor. A 30-day grace period covers the gap.

Key characteristics

Duration: 2 years (mainland), 2–3 years (free zones)
Sponsorship: Employer-tied; cannot switch employer without cancellation + new visa
Authority: MOHRE + GDRFA / ICP (mainland); Free Zone Authority + GDRFA / ICP (FZ)
Key inputs: Offer letter, attested degree, contract, medical, biometrics
Grace period: 30 days post-cancellation to leave or transfer

How it works

Employer's Establishment Card and labour quota confirmed.
Employer issues offer letter; employee provides passport copy, photo, attested degree.
Work Permit application via Tasheel (mainland) or zone portal.
Entry Permit issued; employee enters UAE on it.
Medical Fitness Test + Emirates ID biometrics.
Visa Stamping in passport + Emirates ID issuance.

Types of Employment Visa

Type	Description	When it applies
Mainland Employment Visa	Issued under MOHRE jurisdiction for companies onshore in any of the seven emirates.	When the hiring entity holds a mainland trade license from a Department of Economic Development.
Free Zone Employment Visa	Processed through the relevant free zone authority rather than MOHRE directly.	When the employer operates within a designated UAE free zone such as DMCC, DIFC, or ADGM.
Domestic Worker Visa	Specialised permit for household staff including maids, drivers, and nannies.	When a UAE resident sponsors a personal employee through Tadbeer or equivalent channels.
Investor Visa	Residency granted to shareholders of a UAE-licensed company, often handled alongside employment documentation.	When an individual holds ownership in the sponsoring entity and applies under investor category rules.

Examples

A software engineer hired by a Dubai mainland tech company gets a 2-year Employment Visa via MOHRE/Tasheel. A consultant joining a DMCC firm gets the same kind of visa via the DMCC member portal.

Why it matters

Without an Employment Visa, a foreign hire cannot legally work in the UAE — even unpaid trial periods fall foul of MOHRE rules. For employers, missing a labour quota or failing to renew on time triggers AED 50,000+ MOHRE fines plus retroactive employee penalties.

Common misconceptions

Misconception
An Employment Visa lets you work for any UAE company.
Reality
It is tied to the sponsoring employer. Side gigs require the employer's NOC and, in many cases, a separate part-time work permit.
Misconception
I can keep my visa if I resign.
Reality
Resignation triggers cancellation by the employer. You have a 30-day grace period to leave the country or have a new sponsor pull a fresh visa.

FAQs

How long does an Employment Visa take to process?: From a clean offer letter to stamped visa with Emirates ID, expect 2–4 weeks. The slowest steps are origin-country degree attestation (when needed) and the medical fitness slot. Express channels exist at MOHRE and most free zones for an extra fee.
Can I bring my family on an Employment Visa?: Yes, once your residency is stamped. You sponsor a spouse, children, and (under stricter rules) parents, subject to a salary threshold — generally AED 4,000+ basic plus accommodation, or AED 10,000+ all-in. You apply for Family Visas through GDRFA or ICP after your own residency is active.
What happens to my visa if the company closes?: Company Liquidation triggers cancellation of all employment visas. Employees enter the standard 30-day grace period — find a new sponsor, switch to a self-sponsored route (Investor Visa via your own license, or Golden Visa if eligible), or exit the UAE.