Dubai Work Visa

1. Valid passport with at least six months' validity

2. Recent passport-size photographs

3. Signed job offer or employment contract

4. Attested educational certificates, where required

5. Experience letters or professional references

6. Medical fitness test after arrival

7. Emirates ID biometrics

8. Health insurance, as arranged by the employer or in line with the applicable rules.

What are the Different Types of Dubai Work Visas?

Indian applicants can choose between employer-sponsored employment visas and self-sponsored long-term residency routes. Here are the different types of Dubai work visas for Indians:

1. Mainland Employment Visa

A mainland employment visa is for Indian professionals hired by a company licensed outside a free zone. The employer sponsors the candidate and obtains the MOHRE work permit, followed by the entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, and residence visa. This route is suitable for roles in mainland businesses, and the UAE work visa is generally tied to the sponsoring employer.

2. Free Zone Employment Visa

A free-zone employment visa is issued when you work for a company registered in a UAE free zone, such as DMCC, DIFC, or Dubai Internet City. The relevant free-zone authority handles the sponsorship and approval process instead of MOHRE. It is ideal for professionals joining startups, trading companies, media firms, technology businesses, or other entities operating within a designated zone.

3. Green Visa UAE

The Green Visa UAE is a five-year self-sponsored residency option for eligible skilled employees, freelancers, and investors. Skilled employees generally need a valid UAE employment contract, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, a job classified in MOHRE skill levels 1-3, and a monthly salary of at least AED 15,000. It offers more independence than a standard employer-sponsored visa because the holder sponsors themselves.

4. UAE Golden Visa for Skilled Professionals

The UAE Golden Visa for Skilled Professionals is a 10-year renewable residency visa for high-value talent, including exceptional professionals, specialised degree holders, and high earners. A common skilled-professional route requires a minimum basic monthly salary of AED 30,000, a valid employment contract, and supporting documents such as salary certificates and bank statements. It is best suited to experienced professionals seeking long-term stability in the UAE.

5. UAE Job Seeker Visa

The UAE Job Seeker Visa allows eligible foreign nationals to enter the UAE and search for employment without needing a local employer or sponsor. It is available for 60, 90, or 120 days. Applicants generally need to fall under MOHRE skill levels 1–3 or be recent graduates from top-ranked universities, hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and meet the financial guarantee requirement. 

6. Temporary Work Visa

A temporary work visa is designed for short-term projects, seasonal assignments, or specific one-off work assignments in the UAE. It is suitable for professionals who do not require permanent employment but need legal authorisation to complete a defined task for a UAE entity. The sponsoring company or project owner typically initiates the approval process. 

7. Freelance Permit/ Freelance Visa

A freelance permit allows eligible professionals to work independently in approved sectors such as media, technology, design, education, and consulting. Instead of relying on a single employer, the applicant obtains a permit from a free zone or relevant authority and can offer services to multiple clients. This is useful for Indian freelancers, consultants, creatives, and digital professionals.

8. Remote Work Visa

The UAE remote work visa allows eligible foreign professionals employed outside the UAE to live in Dubai while working remotely for an overseas employer. Applicants generally need proof of employment, a minimum monthly income threshold, and valid health insurance. It is ideal for Indian professionals working for international companies who want to relocate temporarily without changing employers.

Dubai Work Visa Fees

The Dubai work visa fees is summarised below in the table for those planning to apply for a Dubai work visa:

Processing Time for a Dubai Work Visa

The official UAE work visa processing time for the work bundle is around five working days for the core MOHRE work permit process, compared with the earlier 30-working-day target.

In practice, the complete UAE work visa processing time, which includes document preparation, entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, and residence visa issuance, usually takes about two to four weeks.

Factors that can extend the UAE work visa processing time include:

• Delayed degree attestation or document verification.

• Medical test retesting or appointment delays.

• Employer quota or compliance checks.

• Free-zone-specific approval requirements.

• Peak application periods.

Dubai Work Visa Validity

The Dubai work visa validity is summarised in the table below: