Quick Answer
An employment visa is the UAE residence permit issued to a foreign worker sponsored by a registered UAE employer. u.ae says a normal employment visa is valid for two years and renewable, and the employer applies for it.
The employment visa is the most common UAE residency type. Process flow: the employer obtains the MOHRE work permit and the GDRFA entry visa, the worker enters the UAE, completes the medical-fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics, signs the MOHRE employment contract, and receives the GDRFA residence permit and the Emirates ID.
u.ae says the Work Bundle, which joins the work permit, residence visa, medical examination and Emirates ID fingerprinting in one platform, cut processing time from 30 working days to 5. There is no official all-in figure. The official components are the MOHRE work permit (AED 250–3,450 by company category), the GDRFA entry visa (AED 200 + 5% VAT, more if the person is inside the UAE), the GDRFA residence permit (AED 200 + 10 + 10 + 20 for two years), the Emirates ID (AED 100 per year of residence + AED 100) and the DHA medical test (AED 250 regular) — from about AED 1,250 in total for a Category 1 company — plus health insurance.
When the employee leaves, the employer cancels the work permit at MOHRE first and then the residence permit at GDRFA; the employee then has a grace period (GDRFA Dubai's cancellation page states 60 days) to transfer to a new employer or leave the country.
Official sources: u.ae: Work permits (incl. the Work Bundle) · u.ae: Residence visa for working in the UAE · GDRFA: Issuing residence permits for the private sector (fees)
Frequently asked questions
How long does an employment visa take in the UAE?
u.ae says the Work Bundle, which joins the work permit, residence visa, medical examination and Emirates ID fingerprinting in one platform, cut processing time from 30 working days to 5.
How much does an employment visa cost?
There is no official all-in figure. The official components are the MOHRE work permit (AED 250–3,450 by company category), the GDRFA entry visa (AED 200 + 5% VAT, more if the person is inside the UAE), the GDRFA residence permit (AED 200 + 10 + 10 + 20 for two years), the Emirates ID (AED 100 per year of residence + AED 100) and the DHA medical test (AED 250 regular) — from about AED 1,250 in total for a Category 1 company — plus health insurance.
What is the difference between an employment visa and a labour card?
The employment visa is the GDRFA residence permit; the labour card is the MOHRE work permit tying you to a specific employer. You need both to work in the UAE.
Need actual help, not just a definition?
Book a free 30-minute PRO Health Check and we'll walk you through what this actually means for your company.