The Dubai work visa is an employer sponsored residence visa, usually valid for two years and renewable, and your employer starts it by getting a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or, in a free zone, from the free zone authority. Sources put the full cost of a standard two year visa at roughly AED 3,500 to 7,000 and say the employer should pay it.
If you are applying for a Dubai work visa, you probably want to know the steps, the documents, who pays and how long it takes. This guide covers the employer route and the self sponsored alternatives, and flags the conflicts in the sources. It uses a Dubai Money Matters guide published 23 June 2026 and modified 26 June 2026, an SPC Free Zone page published 17 April 2025 and updated 1 October 2026, and an NRI Information article updated 11 September 2026. These are commercial and information sites and not MOHRE or the Dubai GDRFA, several contain internal timing conflicts, and the official pages could not be opened from our tools, so confirm the current rules and fees with the official authorities. For long term residence options that do not tie you to an employer, see our Dubai PR guide.
How Does the Dubai Work Visa Process Work?
The employer applies, you enter on an entry permit, then you complete the medical and Emirates ID. Dubai Money Matters lists six steps.
- Job offer, with the employer confirming an available MOHRE labour quota.
- The employer applies for the MOHRE work permit, said to take 2 to 5 working days.
- An entry permit is issued, or your status is changed if you are already in the UAE.
- A medical fitness test for applicants aged 18 and over.
- Emirates ID application with biometrics and photo.
- The residence visa is finalised and linked to your Emirates ID.
SPC Free Zone describes the same order and adds that the entry permit gives you 60 days from issuance to enter the country. Its page does not clearly say whether free zone staff also need a MOHRE permit, so ask your employer which authority applies. NRI Information says the employer files the entry permit, the work permit and the residence stamping. Dubai Money Matters says the visa is digital and no longer stamped, while SPC Free Zone says it may be physical or digital, and NRI Information says it is stamped in the passport. The sources disagree, so ask what you will receive.
What Documents Do You Need?
A passport, photos, certificates and a signed contract. The sources agree on a short core list.
- A passport valid for at least six months (all three sources).
- Passport style photos on a white background.
- A signed employment contract or offer letter, which Dubai Money Matters says must be MOHRE approved.
- Educational certificates, with NRI Information describing a four step attestation chain for Indian applicants and Dubai Money Matters describing attestation in the home country and by the UAE embassy.
- Experience letters, often requested (NRI Information).
SPC Free Zone says applicants are generally aged 18 to 60, with older applicants considered case by case at higher cost, and that there is no fixed minimum salary for a standard employment visa. That is one source’s statement, so check the rule for your category.
How Much Does a Dubai Work Visa Cost and Who Pays?
Roughly AED 3,500 to 7,000 for a two year visa, and the employer pays. Dubai Money Matters gives AED 3,500 to 7,000 and says the Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 makes the employer pay the full cost. NRI Information gives AED 5,000 to 7,000 for the whole bundle, says it is usually employer paid and says deducting it from salary is illegal.
SPC Free Zone gives free zone line items instead.
SPC Free Zone does not say who pays these, and it lists no MOHRE amount. Dubai Money Matters cites the decree by number only, so ask for the cost in writing before you sign. NRI Information also says family visas cost AED 1,500 to 2,500 per dependant, usually paid by the worker.
How Long Does It Take?
Between about one week and eight weeks, depending on the source. The figures measure different stages, so treat them as a range.
NRI Information’s own sections put the medical and Emirates ID within 30 to 60 days of arrival, which is longer than its 2 to 4 week headline, so plan for the longer end.
How Long Is the Visa Valid?
Two years in most cases, sometimes three. Dubai Money Matters and SPC Free Zone both say two years, and NRI Information says two years and sometimes three, without naming which categories get three.
NRI Information says the permit lapses if you stay outside the UAE for more than six months continuously. SPC Free Zone says that after job loss there is a grace period of around 30 days, while NRI Information gives 30 to 60 days for the standard permit, so confirm your own grace period.
Can You Work in Dubai Without an Employer Sponsor?
Yes, on the Green or Golden visa. SPC Free Zone says the Green visa lasts five years for skilled employees earning at least AED 15,000 a month in MOHRE levels 1 to 3 with a bachelor’s degree. NRI Information calls the Green visa self sponsored and the Golden visa renewable for 10 years. For the Golden categories, see our UAE golden visa guide.
NRI Information also lists a job exploration visa of 60, 90 or 120 days from AED 1,495 for 60 days. Our Dubai visit visa guide explains why a normal tourist entry does not let you work.
What Mistakes Cause Problems?
Starting work before the permit and signing without checking the cost cause most problems. Check each point first.
- Working on a visit visa before a work permit is issued.
- Paying agent fees that the employer should cover.
- Signing a contract that is not MOHRE approved.
- Letting the entry permit lapse, since SPC Free Zone gives a 60 day entry window.
- Using certificates that are not attested.
- Assuming mainland and free zone rules are identical.
- Staying abroad for more than six months and losing the visa.
- Ignoring the mandatory health insurance.
FAQs
How long does a Dubai work visa last?
Usually two years and renewable, and sometimes three according to NRI Information.
Who pays for the visa?
Two sources say the employer, and one does not say, so confirm in writing.
Can I get a work visa without a job offer?
Not the standard one. The Green and Golden visas are self sponsored, and a job exploration visa exists for searching.
Do I need a medical test?
Yes, for applicants aged 18 and over, per all three sources.
How long does processing take?
From about one to eight weeks depending on the source and the stage.
What happens if I lose my job?
A grace period of around 30 to 60 days applies to the standard permit, so confirm it.
Conclusion
The Dubai work visa starts with your employer, who gets the work permit, the entry permit and the residence visa processed. Check that the contract is approved, confirm who pays, plan for several weeks and consider the Green or Golden visa if you want to be independent of an employer.
