How Long Does It Take to Obtain a Work Visa in Dubai?

The United Arab Emirates enforces strict regulations regarding foreign workers due to a significant portion of its population being expatriates. While certain jobs can wait, the employer must complete some processes before the worker arrives in the UAE. Most of the responsibility for these regulations lies with the employer.

Below are some crucial details regarding foreign workers’ entry to the UAE. Foreign workers seeking employment can review this list to gain more insight into the immigration process:

1. Visa Acceptance Typically, the employer applies to the Ministry of Labour for a work permit and entrance visa for the foreign worker. This process usually takes about four or five days. Employers are legally required to obtain work visas for their employees before the employee arrives unless the visa is for one of the UAE’s free zones.
2. Executed Employment Contract The employer must have the employee sign the contract once they have reviewed and accepted its terms before sending it to the Ministry of Labour. The contract is available in English, Arabic, and a third language that might be the expat’s mother tongue. This process can be completed digitally in two days.
3. Approval of the Work Permit This is the most crucial step in the procedure. It allows the Ministry of Labour to determine if any unemployed UAE nationals are qualified for the position. The government investigates the legality of the organization to ensure that the sponsoring company can legally conduct business in the UAE. The work visa will not be approved until these requirements are fulfilled, which may take three to five days.
4. Employment Entry Visa A work entrance visa will be issued by the Ministry of Labour three days after approval. This visa gives the foreign worker legal permission to enter the UAE for employment purposes. The visa is valid for two months from the date of issuance, allowing the expat to stay in the UAE for sixty days while their formal work permit is processed.
5. Foreign workers can pick up their visas at the airport. If the worker is already in the UAE on a different visa, they must apply for a visa change status. Generally, a foreign employee must complete all paperwork within sixty days to be granted a work permit and a resident visa in the UAE, allowing them to start working legally.
6. Additional Protocols To apply for a Dubai work visa for Indians, the employee must provide the Ministry of Labour with a signed copy of the employment contract and the results of their medical examination. The employee also needs to bring their passport and entry visa to the Emirates ID Service Centre to complete the biometrics process. The appointment schedule for this visit is issued by the authorities handling Emirates ID transactions with AK Consultancy. Within fourteen days of receiving the medical test results, the signed employment contract must be submitted to the Ministry of Labour or uploaded to their website.

Integration of Foreign Nationals with Ease The UAE is among the best in the world regarding policies facilitating the seamless integration of international workers. A detailed explanation is available on the Ministry of Labour’s official website for foreign nationals. It is advisable for foreign workers to seek proper counsel from agencies like AK Consultancy to ensure compliance with necessary regulations before starting work in the UAE.

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