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Dubai Employment Opportunities
Dubai stands as a haven for aspiring migrants seeking personal growth and a stable family life. With a continually expanding economy, resident-friendly policies offering remarkable advantages, and world-class infrastructure, it provides all the elements needed to turn your dream life into reality. Count on Meeras Advisors to be your guide on the journey towards launching your career in Dubai.
Employment landscape in the UAE:
As an oil-rich nation, the UAE has navigated the challenges of fluctuating oil prices and global supply dynamics. Nonetheless, the economy remains robust, with recent years witnessing rapid growth.
Prominent industries in the UAE encompass:
- Aluminium
- Boat building and ship repair
- Construction
- Fishing
- Handicrafts and textiles
- Petroleum and petrochemicals
UAE Employment and Work Permits
For foreign nationals aspiring to establish a long-term presence in the UAE, two crucial documents are required: a Residence Visa and a work permit.
However, the journey begins with securing a job offer from an employer who is willing to hire you and initiate the necessary procedures to obtain your employment visa and work permit for the UAE.
UAE Employment Visa Regulations
To be eligible to work in the UAE, both you and the hiring company must meet specific conditions:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- The hiring company’s license must be valid.
- The company should have no violations.
- The job you are hired for must align with the nature of the company’s activities.
- Eligibility for a UAE Work Visa
Foreigners aged 18 and above are eligible to work in the UAE, provided they meet the standards established by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). There is no maximum age limit for employment in the UAE; however, for workers over the age of 65, the company incurs a higher fee.
Foreign workers are categorized into three groups based on their academic qualifications and skill sets:
- Category 1: Individuals with at least a bachelor’s degree.
- Category 2:Individuals holding a post-secondary diploma in any field.
- Category 3: Individuals with a high school diploma.
Required Documents for a UAE Employment Visa
When applying for an employment visa in the UAE, you must provide several supporting documents, including:
- Your original passport and a copy.
- A passport-sized photograph complying with UAE requirements.
- Copies of your academic qualifications, which must be authenticated by the UAE Embassy or consulate in your home country and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your home country.
- A medical certificate issued by a government-approved health center in the UAE.
- Documents from the hiring company, such as the company’s commercial license or company card.
It’s worth noting that, as per the updated employment visa rules in the UAE for 2018, a certificate of good conduct is not required until further notice.
Obtaining a Work Permit in the UAE
Your employer is responsible for obtaining the work permit on your behalf. The issuance of work permits in the UAE falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). The application process for a UAE work permit involves the following steps:
- The employer initiates the work permit application through the Tas’Heel website, the Ministry of Labour’s online system.
- Submission of the required documents (as listed above).
- Review of the application by the Ministry, with requests for document resubmission or corrections if necessary.
- Issuance of approval by the Ministry, which the employer can download from the Ministry’s website.
UAE Work Permit Fees
The fees for UAE work permits are as follows:
- Requesting initial approval for a new electronic work permit: AED 200 for all categories/levels.
- Approval of the new electronic work permit (including worker recruitment, hiring, and issuance of the Labour Card):
1. Category 1: AED 300Category
2. Category 2:
1. Level A: AED 600
2. Level B: AED 1,500
3. Level C: AED 2,000
3. Category 3: AED 5,000
For foreign workers over the age of 65, a fee of AED 5,000 applies across all categories.
The second category is further divided into levels, depending on the ratio of skilled and unskilled workers in the company.
In most cases, it is the employer who covers the costs associated with the UAE work permit.
UAE Work Permit Duration:
Upon the successful submission of your documents, it typically takes around 5 working days for the Ministry to issue your UAE work permit.
Validity of UAE Work Permit:
Initially, your UAE work permit is valid for 30 days and can be extended for an additional 30 days. This grants you a total stay of 60 days, during which you and your employer must complete the processes for obtaining a Residence Visa, an Emirates ID, and your Labour Card.
The Residence Visa, along with the Labour Card, authorizes you to legally live and work in the UAE. The duration of UAE Residence Visas varies, ranging from 1 to 3 years, depending on your travel purpose and the discretion of UAE authorities.
How to Obtain a UAE Work Visa:
Once your UAE work permit is approved, it serves as your entry permit, enabling you to enter the UAE for employment purposes. This entry permit is valid for 30 days and can be extended once, providing a maximum stay of 60 days, during which your employer must initiate the process for your Residence Visa. The formal UAE Employment Visa procedure commences only after your arrival in the country.
UAE Employment Visa Procedure:
Upon your entry into the UAE with the approval obtained from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), your employer must apply for a Residence Visa on your behalf through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in the emirate where you are employed.
Upon approval of your application, the GDRFA will affix an Employment Visa (Residence Visa for employment purposes) on your passport. You will also receive an Emirates ID, valid for the same duration as your visa, and a Labour Card, signifying your authorization to work in the UAE.
Renewal of a UAE Work Visa:
Indeed, you can renew your UAE Work Visa. All types of Residence Visas in the UAE are initially issued for 1 to 3 years and are eligible for renewal. Your sponsor, typically your employer, must renew your UAE Work Visa within 30 days before its expiration.
The UAE Work Visa renewal process mirrors the procedure you followed when initially obtaining your visa: your sponsor applies at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in the relevant emirate.
Additionally, your sponsor may renew your visa after its expiration if it falls within the UAE residence visa expiry grace period.
Obtaining a Work Visa for Dubai:
Given that Dubai is one of the seven emirates that constitute the UAE, the process for obtaining a Dubai Employment Visa is identical to that in any other emirate. This includes:
- Finding a job in Dubai (whether while on a UAE Tourist Visa or through one of the UAE’s online job portals and job fairs).
- While you are still in your home country, your employer applies for a Work Permit on your behalf.
- Upon approval, you utilize the work permit to enter Dubai.
- Your employer arranges for your medical examination and applies for a Residence Card for employment at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, all within the permit’s 60-day validity.
- Your employer ensures your acquisition of a Labour Card and Emirates ID Card.
Cost of an Employment Visa in Dubai:
The cost for a Dubai visa fee aligns with that of other emirates in the UAE (as detailed previously). However, in most instances, it is typically the company that has employed you that bears the visa fees and work permit expenses.
Employment Visa Renewal in Dubai:
Your employer, acting as your sponsor, can apply to renew your employment visa on your behalf at either the GDRFA in Dubai or an Amre center.
For further information or to ascertain your eligibility, please make an inquiry to one of our proficient and experienced Migration Consultants.