RESIDENCE & VISA SERVICES
Dubai Work and Residence Visa
A Dubai work visa is a 2-year residence permit issued under employer sponsorship together with an Emirates ID. Residency in Dubai can be obtained through employment, investment, property or family ties. Below you can compare the work visa requirements, 2026 fees, required documents and application steps, along with the investor, family, Green Visa and remote work visa options.
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How to Get a Dubai Residence Visa?
There are four main routes to a Dubai residence visa: an employment visa through a job offer from a UAE employer, an investor (partner) visa by setting up a company, a property owner visa by purchasing real estate, or a family visa sponsored by a relative who already holds UAE residency. Professionals who meet certain criteria can also sponsor themselves through the Green Visa or the Golden Visa, without needing an employer.
Depending on the visa type, UAE residence visas are issued for 1, 2, 5 or 10 years and can be renewed as long as the eligibility conditions are maintained. The process is similar for every residence visa: an entry permit, a medical fitness test, biometrics for the Emirates ID and final residence visa approval. Use the comparison table below to find the visa type that suits you best.
Dubai Visa Types Comparison
The table below compares the most popular Dubai residence and work permit types by validity, eligibility and sponsorship.
| Visa Type | Validity | Who It Is For | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment (Work) Visa | 2 years | Holders of a job offer from a UAE employer | Employer |
| Investor (Partner) Visa | 2-3 years | Entrepreneurs who set up or become partners in a Dubai company | Company |
| Property Owner Visa | 2 years (AED 750,000+) / 10-year Golden Visa (AED 2 million+) | Real estate investors in Dubai | Property owner |
| Family Visa | Same as the sponsor's visa | Spouse, children and dependants of a resident employee or investor | Family member (employee/investor) |
| Green Visa | 5 years | Skilled employees, freelancers and investors | Self-sponsored |
| Remote Work Visa | 1 year | People working for an employer outside the UAE | Self-sponsored |
| Student Visa | Duration of studies | Full-time students in Dubai | Educational institution |
| Freelance Visa | Up to 2 years | Independent professionals and freelancers | Free zone licence |
| Long-Term Visit Visa | 90 days (+90 days extendable) | Short-term stays and job seekers | No sponsor or host |
What Is a Dubai Work Visa (Employment Visa)?
A Dubai work visa is a 2-year residence visa issued to foreign nationals employed in the UAE private sector under their employer's sponsorship. It involves two separate approvals: a work permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and a residence visa issued through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. For employees of free zone companies, permits are processed by the relevant free zone authority.
A work visa is tied to a specific employer. If you change jobs, your new employer must apply for a new work permit. When your employment ends and the visa is cancelled, the grace period to remain in the country is usually 60 days, although it can range from 30 to 180 days depending on the visa category.
Dubai Work Visa Requirements
- Job Offer and Contract: You need a job offer from a UAE-based employer and a signed MoHRE-approved employment contract.
- Employer Sponsorship: The application is submitted on your behalf by an employer with a valid trade licence and visa quota.
- Age and Passport: You must be at least 18 years old and hold a passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Medical Test and Insurance: You must pass a medical fitness test at an accredited UAE centre and hold health insurance, which is mandatory in Dubai.
- Attested Degree: Skilled positions may require a degree certificate that is apostilled or attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dubai Work Visa Application Process
- Job Offer and Contract: The employer issues the job offer and both parties sign the MoHRE standard employment contract.
- Work Permit and Entry Permit: The employer applies to MoHRE for the work permit and to GDRFA for the entry permit. Approval usually takes 2-5 working days.
- Entry to the UAE or Change of Status: If you are abroad, you enter Dubai with the entry permit; if you are already in the UAE on another visa, a change of status can be completed without leaving the country.
- Medical Test and Biometrics: A blood test and chest X-ray are carried out at an accredited medical centre, and fingerprints and a photo are taken for the Emirates ID.
- Residence Visa and Emirates ID: Once approved, your residence visa is issued electronically and your Emirates ID card is delivered. You can then work legally in Dubai.
Dubai Work and Residence Visa Fees (2026)
Dubai residence visa fees vary depending on the visa type, where the company is registered (mainland or free zone) and the processing speed selected. For work visas, the costs are legally borne by the employer, while family and property visa applicants pay the application fee and a refundable deposit themselves.
| Item | Fee (AED) | Approx. (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Work / Family Visa Application Fee | AED 910 | ~USD 248 |
| Property Visa Application Fee | AED 3,100 | ~USD 845 |
| Family Visa Refundable Deposit | AED 4,000 | ~USD 1,090 |
| Property Visa Refundable Deposit | AED 5,000 | ~USD 1,362 |
| Long-Term Visit Visa (total) | AED 5,000 - 6,200 | ~USD 1,362 - 1,689 |
Note: The amounts above are reference values for 2026 and may vary depending on items such as the medical test, Emirates ID and express processing fees, as well as updates by the relevant authorities. For exact fees, check the official GDRFA, ICP or MoHRE websites or contact our team for an up-to-date quote.
How Long Does a Dubai Work Visa Take?
Work permit and entry permit approval usually takes 2-5 working days. The whole process, including the medical test, Emirates ID application and residence visa issuance, takes an average of 2-4 weeks. The timeline may vary depending on the emirate, the sector and whether your documents are complete.
Documents Required for a Dubai Work Visa
- Colour copy of a passport valid for at least 6 months
- Passport photo with a white background
- Signed job offer and MoHRE employment contract
- Health insurance policy
- Attested degree and experience certificates (for skilled positions)
- Employer's trade licence and establishment card (submitted by the employer)
Dubai Work Visa Renewal and Cancellation
A work visa is renewed by the employer before it expires, and the medical test and Emirates ID are renewed as part of the process. If you leave your job, the employer is responsible for cancelling the visa. Daily overstay fines apply to expired visas and to cancelled visas whose status is not regularised within the grace period, so renewals and cancellations should be started on time.
Investor (Partner) Visa in Dubai
Foreign nationals who set up a company in Dubai or become partners in an existing company can obtain an investor (partner) visa sponsored by the company. With this visa you can live in Dubai, work in your own company and sponsor your family members.
Investor Visa Requirements
- Company Formation: You must own or be a partner in a licensed company on the mainland or in a free zone. See our company formation in Dubai page for the process and costs.
- Capital and Visa Quota: The required capital varies by business activity, licence type and the chosen free zone. Many free zone packages include a visa quota with the licence.
- Residence and Work Rights: The investor visa allows you both to reside in Dubai and to work legally in your own company.
Property Owner (Real Estate) Visa in Dubai
Foreign nationals who buy property worth at least AED 750,000 in Dubai can apply for a 2-year property owner visa. If the investment is AED 2 million or more, you can apply for the 10-year Dubai Golden Visa. This visa does not require you to set up a company, but it does not grant the right to work on its own.
Family Visa in Dubai
Foreign residents holding a work or investor visa in Dubai can sponsor their spouse, children and, under certain conditions, their parents. The family visa has the same validity as the sponsor's visa. The sponsor needs a monthly income of at least AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, a registered tenancy contract (Ejari) and attested marriage and birth certificates.
Dubai Green Visa: Self-Sponsored Work
Introduced in October 2022, the Green Visa grants skilled employees, freelancers and investors a 5-year residence permit without employer sponsorship. Skilled employees need a valid employment contract, at least a bachelor's degree and a monthly salary of at least AED 15,000. Freelancers need a MoHRE freelance permit, a bachelor's degree and annual self-employment income of at least AED 360,000 over the previous two years. Another key advantage is a grace period of up to 180 days after the visa is cancelled.
Dubai Remote Work Visa
Digital nomads and remote employees who want to live in Dubai while continuing to work for an employer abroad can obtain a 1-year remote work visa. It allows you to live legally in Dubai without a local employer or company. You need an employment contract valid for at least one year or proof of company ownership, proof of a monthly income of at least USD 3,500 and valid UAE health insurance.
Getting a Dubai Visa by Setting Up a Company
By setting up your own company in Dubai, you can obtain an investor visa for yourself and apply for work visas for your employees. World Company Setup provides end-to-end support for company formation in Dubai, visa processing and ongoing accounting and tax services.
Dubai Work Visa Application: Video Walkthrough
How to Get a Dubai Work and Residence Visa
Video walkthrough of Dubai work visa and residence permit types, application steps, required documents and 2026 fees.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Dubai Work and Residence Visa frequently asked questions.
A free zone visa usually comes with faster and lower-cost company setup, but the company's activities are generally limited to the free zone and international markets. A mainland visa allows you to trade directly across the UAE market, open offices anywhere in the country and bid for government contracts. The right choice depends on your business model, where your customers are and the visa quota you need. Our team can help you decide with a free initial assessment.
All foreign nationals other than Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens need a residence permit to live in Dubai long term. Employees with a job offer, investors who set up or join a company, owners of property worth at least AED 750,000, the spouse and children of a UAE resident sponsor, students, remote workers and professionals who meet the Green Visa or Golden Visa criteria can apply. A residence permit is also needed for everyday matters such as opening a bank account, renting a home and buying a car.
Yes. Foreign nationals who own property worth at least AED 750,000 (about USD 205,000) can apply for a 2-year property owner visa, and those who invest AED 2 million or more can apply for the 10-year Dubai Golden Visa. The property visa does not require setting up a company, but it does not grant the right to work on its own; a separate work permit is required to work for an employer in Dubai.
The main residence visa types in Dubai are the employment visa (2 years), investor/partner visa (2-3 years), property owner visa (2 years), family visa (same validity as the sponsor's), student visa, freelance visa, 5-year Green Visa, 10-year Golden Visa and 1-year remote work visa. You can find the sponsor, validity and eligibility for each one in the visa types comparison table at the top of this page.
The key requirements are a job offer and MoHRE-approved employment contract from a UAE employer, a passport valid for at least 6 months, being at least 18 years old, passing a medical fitness test at an accredited UAE centre and valid health insurance. Some professions also require an attested (apostilled) degree. The application is submitted by the sponsoring employer, not by the employee.
The process has five steps: signing the job offer and contract, the employer's work permit application to MoHRE and entry permit application to GDRFA, entering the UAE or changing status inside the country, the medical test and biometrics, and finally the issuance of the residence visa and Emirates ID. With complete documents, the whole process usually takes 2-4 weeks.
Work permit and entry permit approval usually comes through within 2-5 working days. Including the medical test, Emirates ID and residence visa, the whole process generally takes 2-4 weeks. Complete, attested documents and express options available in free zones can shorten the timeline.
As of 2026, the application fee for work and family visas is around AED 910 (~USD 248). This does not include the medical test, Emirates ID, health insurance or any express processing fees. For work visas, these costs are legally covered by the employer. See the fee table above for an item-by-item breakdown, or contact our team for an exact quote.
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Experiences shared by clients whose company formation and corporate processes we have managed across multiple jurisdictions.
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