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How can I get work permit in Abu Dhabi?

Author

Olivia Shea

Updated on February 28, 2026

How can I get work permit in Abu Dhabi?

Work Permits for Abu Dhabi. In order to legally work in Abu Dhabi, expats will need to obtain a residence visa sponsorship for employment. As the title indicates, it's necessary for expats to have an employer sponsor them by offering them a job contract and by applying with the appropriate authorities for the visa.

Also, how can I get work visa for Abu Dhabi?

  1. Application form.
  2. Emirates ID card.
  3. Several passport-photos.
  4. Original passport plus photocopy.
  5. Copy of valid company card.
  6. Valid commercial license of the company.
  7. Medical check and health certificate.
  8. Entry permit issued by the Ministry of Labor.

Secondly, how much is a working visa in Abu Dhabi?

Work Permit Fees For Skilled Employees
Inside country (new work permit)Outside county (new or renewal work permit)
Class 2AAED 250AED 500
Class 2BAED 500AED 1,000
Class 2CAED 750AED 1,500

Keeping this in view, how can I get work visa for UAE?

Stage One: Obtaining the Employment Entry Visa in UAE

  1. Visa Quota Approval.
  2. Job Offer Contract and Signature.
  3. Work Permit: Approval of Application.
  4. Employment Entry Visa.
  5. Medical Screening.
  6. Emirates ID Application/Biometrics.
  7. Medical Screening Result.
  8. Receipt of Labour Card/Work Permit & Contract with Start Date.

What is work permit in UAE?

The process starts with procuring a work permit for an expatriate from MoHRE. The work permit allows the holder to enter the UAE for employment and it is valid for two months from the date of issue. The work residency permit on the employee's passport denotes that he is sponsored by the company he is employed by.

How long does it take to get a work visa for Abu Dhabi?

3 weeks

Can you live in UAE without a job?

If staying in the UAE for more than 90 days, most expats will need an entry visa in order to enter the country. Even if you do not yet have employment within the UAE, fear not. Entry visas can be sponsored by a number of organizations such as airlines, hotels, and even a fellow expat with a UAE residence visa.

How do I issue a work permit?

To submit an application:
  1. Get a written consent from the foreign worker to apply for Work Permit.
  2. Log in to WP Online to fill out the application.
  3. Pay $35 for each application. You can pay by GIRO , VISA, MasterCard or eNets debit.
  4. Check the status of your application after 1 week.
  5. View the outcome online.

How much does Dubai work visa cost?

How much is Dubai visa fees for 2 years? Now that we know the various long term visa types a typical two year work visa covers charges for medical fitness, visa stamping, ministry of labor and other fringe benefits. It generally costs about AED 3500 – AED 4000 inclusive of all taxes and processing fees.

Can spouse work in Abu Dhabi?

A wife who is sponsored by her husband is permitted to work in the UAE, even if her visa states "housewife not permitted to work" provided her husband, as her sponsor, gives a letter of no objection to the employer. A contract of employment should be signed by both parties.

How long does it take to get work permit in UAE?

Usually in UAE the processing time will be maximum of 3 weeks provided all your documents are legit. Most of the employer in UAE require the Degree Certificate to be attested by government if you have already done that then you will get Work Visa in max 3 weeks, if Not that process will take another 2 weeks.

Can I work in Abu Dhabi?

To work in Abu Dhabi you need a UAE residence visa, which is sponsored by your employer. This visa permits you to live and work anywhere in the UAE, and you can live and work in different emirates; some people, for example, choose to work in Dubai and live in Abu Dhabi due to cheaper rents there.

What is on a work permit?

A work permit is a photo identity card issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is also called an Employment Authorization Document or EAD. The EAD looks a lot like a driver's license. Its holders can show it to employers in order to prove their right to work.

What is the age limit for employment visa in UAE?

65

How much does a work visa cost in UAE?

This is only a breakdown of work visa costs. If your company is not covering your visa fees, be sure to factor in extra costs for medical tests, translation services, legal fees, etc. On average, a UAE visa costs about 7000 AED (1,900 USD).

How many types of employment visa are there in UAE?

Under the UAE Labour Law No. 8 of 1980, there are two types of employment contracts.

Is it easy to get work permit in Dubai?

Well, getting a work or employment visa in Dubai is absolutely easy. All you just have to do is to get recruited for a job offer. And then your employer will submit a Work Visa on your behalf. And if everything is done right, then you will get a Work Visa approved in next few days.

How can I get Dubai work visa online?

Apply Online Through Website
  1. STEP 1 : Book your ticket with Emirates. Once you have a valid PNR number, log on to
  2. STEP 2 : Apply for your UAE visa. Click the 'Apply for a UAE' visa option under Additional Services.
  3. STEP 3 : Proceed to Online Application.

How much does it cost to get work visa?

Visa Types and Application Fee Amounts
The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is US$160. This includes tourist, business, student, and exchange visas. Most petition-based visas, such as work and religious visas, are US$190. K visas cost US$265 and the fee amount for E visas is US$205.

Can I work in Dubai with tourist visa?

You are only allowed to work legally if you already have a work permit. Arriving in on a tourist visa or visit visa, you have the option to search for jobs in the UAE. According to a report from GulfNews, there is a 50,000 AED Fine for people caught working on a visit visa and will be banned from entering the UAE.

How can I check my work visa?

To check your visa status, here's what you need to do:
  1. Visit the portal:
  2. Click on the “Passport Information” tab.
  3. Select “Visa”
  4. Enter your Passport number and Passport expiry date.
  5. Select your nationality.

How can I work in UAE?

If you intend to work in the UAE you'll need to be sponsored by an employer - you cannot work on a visit or a tourist visa. Once you've accepted a job offer your employer will apply for a residency visa on your behalf and you'll then be able to get a work permit from the Ministry of Labour.

What is pre approval for work permit in UAE?

Before the Entry Visa is issued, the work permit application must be approved. During this approval process, the Ministry of Labour usually bases its decision on whether there are no unemployed UAE citizens who could perform the job, and that the sponsor is a registered UAE corporate entity.

What is employment visa?

Employment visas allow a foreign national to work in the U.S. for a temporary period of time. This usually involves sponsorship for employment visa status by U.S. employer to relocate the worker to the U.S. for a short period of time for work. Employment visas are sometimes called work visas or work permits.

How can I get PR in UAE?

Many foreign citizens are interested in coming and applying for residency in Dubai. One can obtain residency in Dubai if sponsorship by an employer is provided. The Dubai residence visa must be renewed every three years. Another way to obtain residency in Dubai is by purchasing real estate.

How can I get mawaqif residence permit?

To apply for a resident permit, you'll need a copy of your passport with valid residency visa (for non-nationals), your tenancy contract or proof you are the property owner, your last electricity bill, and proof that you own the vehicle; or proof you are related to the tenant or owner, if your name is not on the

What is difference between visa and work permit?

The difference between visa and work permit is that visa is a document acquired by an individual to enter a specific country whereas work permit is an employment letter issued by an employer to the employee needed for entering the country. The immigrant visa allows the immigrant to acquire residence and work.

How can I get temporary work permit in UAE?

Required Documents
  1. A copy of both establishments' trade licenses (the current establishment and the application applying establishment)
  2. A color photograph with a white background of the worker.
  3. A copy of the worker's passport.

What comes after work permit approval?

If USCIS approves your application, you will receive two documents – your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), also known as the “USCIS I-766 card” or “work permit”, and in another envelope your SSN card. You should receive your SSN card no later than 7 business days after you receive your EAD from USCIS.

What is entry permit in UAE?

An entry permit is a document issued by General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) that allows the foreigners to enter and stay in the UAE legally for a certain period of time. entry permit - tourism/transit. entry permit - treatment. entry permit - mission. entry permit - attending conferences.

What are the documents required for UAE Employment Visa?

Documents required for Labor Card (Work Permit)
  • Applicant's photographs.
  • Residency Visa.
  • Valid Passport (minimum six month validity required)
  • Valid health certificate.
  • Three copies of the employment contract – one for the employer, one for the employee and one for the Ministry of Labor.

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