Securing a UAE work visa can be a smooth process if you follow the necessary steps and meet the required criteria. This guide provides you with essential tips to help you steer the application process of UAE work visa successfully.
Understand the visa types:
Employment visa: UAE offers various types of work visas. The most common is the employment visa, issued to individuals who have secured a job in the UAE. Your employer typically sponsors this visa.
Free zone visa: If you are working in one of the UAE’s free zones, you will require a free zone visa. Each free zone authority manages its visa issuance process, which can vary from the standard employment visa procedure.
Remote work visa: UAE has recently introduced a remote work visa for individuals employed by companies outside the UAE. This allows remote workers to live in the UAE while working for their foreign employers.
Meet the eligibility criteria:
Educational and professional qualifications: Ensure that you meet the educational and professional qualifications required for the job you are applying for. UAE places significant emphasis on hiring skilled and qualified professionals.
Medical fitness: Undergo a medical examination at an approved health center in the UAE. Applicants must be free from communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. A fitness certificate is mandatory to proceed with the visa application.
Prepare necessary documents:
Passport and photographs: Your passport must be valid for at least six months. Prepare recent passport-sized photographs with a white background. Ensure your passport has enough blank pages for visa stamps.
Employment contract: Your employer must provide a formal employment contract detailing your job role, salary, and benefits. This document is vital for the visa application process.
Academic certificates: Submit attested copies of your academic and professional certificates. These must be verified by the relevant authorities in your home country and the UAE embassy.
Follow the application process:
Visa application: Once you have gathered all the required documents, your employer will apply for a work permit on your behalf. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) handles the initial approval process.
Entry permit: After the work permit approval, you will receive an entry permit, allowing you to enter the UAE. Upon arrival, your employer will arrange for the completion of the visa process.