Obtainment of the UAE Work Visa

Major advantages of a residence visa:

• enables to do business or work in the country (depending on the category of visa);
• enables to become a tax resident (subject to additional conditions);
• enables to open a bank account;
• enables to rent property under an official contract;
• enables to connect mobile services;
• enables to obtain a driving licence.

One of the ways to get the UAE residence visa is making an employment contract with a company. The company must be an onshore one, an offshore company does not give the right to obtain residence visas. The best option is to register a company in one of the UAE free zones.

The UAE does not have such concept as a residence permit. The UAE migration rules require the issuance of residence visas, which in practice are similar to a residence permit.

A residence visa can be obtained on the following grounds:

• based on owning a UAE onshore company;
• by making an employment contract with a UAE onshore company;
• by investing in UAE real estate.

Residence visas are valid for 2 or 3 years, depending on the basis of their issuance and the emirate.

In most cases, the best solution for obtaining a residence visa is registering an onshore company or being employed by an onshore company.

Cancellation of a Residence Visa

In the event of termination of the employee’s employment contract with the company, the residence visa must be cancelled. The employee is given 1 month after cancellation of the residence visa for work to apply for a new visa (for example, get a job with another employer who will issue a new visa) or leave the country.

IMPORTANT: A visa will automatically become invalid if the visa holder is absent from the country for more than 6 months. However, it is recommended to apply for visa cancellation anyway to avoid being denied the UAE visa in the future.

Requirements to Obtain a Visa

• the company will need to be renewed every year;
• the company must have its own or rented office space.
• regardless of where the company is registered and where the residence visa is issued, one may live in any emirate, therefore a free zone for registering a company can be chosen based on the total costs, the prestige of the emirate, etc.;
• some free zones do not have the concept of an investor visa, they issue work visas only;
• the number of residence visas that a company can issue depends on the selected business package;
• depending on the free zone, residence visas for work are issued for 2 years, after which the visa can be renewed for another period;
• a residence visa for work allows to apply for a sponsored residence visa for family members, which will require confirmation of having own or rented residential real estate in the UAE;
• in the case of termination of employment, the company must cancel the residence visa for work; the employee is given 1 month after cancellation of the visa to apply for a new one (for example, find a new employer) or leave the country;
• some professions and positions may require the applicant’s appropriate qualification, which must be confirmed by a diploma or certificate;
• no copy of diploma is normally needed for managerial positions or sales and marketing specialists;
• depending on the free zone, there may be additional requirements for a residence visa for work:

– procuring a health insurance policy;

– making a deposit equal to the monthly salary;

– making a deposit equal to the cost of a return ticket.

In both cases, deposits are refunded upon visa cancellation.

Additional requirements may vary or may be completely absent in some free zones.

• depending on the free zone, in the case of work visas, the company may be required to take additional steps, for example, make monthly submission of payroll.

Visa Specifics

Visa application can be submitted immediately after registration of a company.

The application process includes the following steps:

1. Opening an Establishment Card (immigration file) and e-channel registration.
2. Submitting documents for a residence visa and obtaining an Entry Permit (permission to enter the country).

It is advisable to arrive on Saturday to begin the application procedure on Sunday morning. The UAE’s official weekend is Friday and Saturday.

The applicant needs to:

• undergo a medical examination (blood test and chest X-ray);
• submit biometric data (retina and fingerprints scan).

After receiving a passport with a residence visa inserted into it, one can leave the country.

The holder of a residence visa for work can also be issued a Labour Card.

4.       Obtaining a resident ID card – ID Emirates.

The card is issued a few days after the issuance of a visa. Personal presence is not required to receive it. It can be handed over later.

Visa Obtainment Procedure

Visa application can be submitted immediately after registration of a company.

The application process includes the following steps:

1. Opening an Establishment Card (immigration file) and e-channel registration.
2. Submitting documents for a residence visa and obtaining an Entry Permit (permission to enter the country).

It is advisable to arrive on Saturday to begin the application procedure on Sunday morning. The UAE’s official weekend is Friday and Saturday.

The applicant needs to:

• undergo a medical examination (blood test and chest X-ray);
• submit biometric data (retina and fingerprints scan).

After receiving a passport with a residence visa inserted into it, one can leave the country.

The holder of a residence visa for work can also be issued a Labour Card.

4.       Obtaining a resident ID card – ID Emirates.

The card is issued a few days after the issuance of a visa. Personal presence is not required to receive it. It can be handed over later.

Documents to Be Submitted

• international passport;
• 3.5 x 4.5 photos in colour against a white background;
• Entry Permit stamped upon arrival in the UAE;
• employment contract;
• depending on the profession and position, the applicant may be required to provide a copy of diploma translated into English and legalized at the UAE consulate. It is normally not required for managerial positions or sales and marketing specialists.

Visa Obtainment Period

4-5 weeks