Obtainment of the UAE Work 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 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 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.

• 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.