The UAE government has created a tight policy to oversee the participation of expats in the workforce. This due to the rising number of foreigners seeking top jobs. The country’s regulations state that to work legally in the region, one needs possess both a working visa and a work permit UAE.
In this article, we will be giving you the information you need about the work permit UAE. It might be confusing for many people to understand the differences between a job visa and a work permit. In order to eliminate this uncertainty, we have put together a comprehensive reference to help you better grasp the 3-year UAE work visa.
Eligibility Criteria

Foreign nationals need to have a valid employment visa and work permit UAE in order to work legally in the UAE. Anyone who lives in Dubai on a work visa does not require further resident visas. With the aid of a work visa, you can reside there lawfully for a certain period of time.
Three variables determine whether foreigners need a Dubai work permit or not. One is necessary if:
- You find employment while abroad.
- Job opportunities may become available while you are on a visit or tourism visa in the area.
- Despite working locally, you wish to switch employers.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the MOHRE have originally set up units abroad to speed up this process.
The second choice is to depart from the UAE before requesting your work permit in UAE. It is not necessary for you to board a plane and return to your area. When flying, you can make a layover in a neighboring country (like Oman) to get a work permit UAE.
The GDRFA provides the ‘Change Status’ mechanism in Dubai, which the hiring company may also use. In this case, obtaining a work permit in Dubai does not need leaving the country.
In the third instance, getting hired by a new employer also results in getting a new work visa. According to Article 1 of Minister Order No. 766 of 2015, a worker whose contract expires due to contract expiration may be eligible for a new work permit UAE if they are able to find a new professional opportunity.
Age Requirements
To apply for a UAE work permit, applicants must be of legal age (18 and over). However, if they are over 15 years old, they can apply for a juvenile work permit or a student employment permit.
Education & Skills
Foreign employees must have one the following education and skills to apply for a work permit UAE:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Post-secondary diploma.
- High school diploma.
Application Process
One of the most crucial things to understand about employment in the UAE is that it is the employer’s responsibility to secure the visa and work permit for the country. As an employee, you cannot obtain these visas or permits on your own.
To begin the application process, the company must have a valid trading license.
Follow these steps while requesting a work visa in the UAE:
- Firstly, the employer must print the request form for the permit on the TASHEEL page.
- Then, they must deliver the necessary paperwork.
- Consequently, the ministry will review the application and decide if there is any paperwork missing or if it needs amends.
- Lastly, once the authorities provide the approvals, you can download the permit from the site.
Depending on the circumstances, the MOHRE may decide not to provide or renew a work permit. These conditions include:
- The company submitting fake paperwork.
- The corporation’s counterfeit nature.
- Or the business is not actively engaging in its duly authorized business operations.
- The company’s disregard for the “wages protection system” or other mechanisms that are in place to control the labor market.
Application forms
To fill the application form, the employer must have all the details regarding the employees. Including:
- Name and surname.
- Nationality.
- Date of birth.
- Place of issue.
- Date of issue.
- Address.
- Phone number.
- Email.
- Purpose of entry and more.
Fees & Processing time
The work permit UAE fee will depend on the type of business that you have. Therefore, these fees can go from AED 300 to AED 5.000.
As soon as the applicant submits the paperwork, the Ministry usually takes 5 working days to provide the permit. This if everything goes well and the applicant provides the necessary paperwork.
Documents Required

Employers must acquire the necessary documents to complete the UAE work permit request procedure before applying for it:
- A valid trade license.
- Application form.
General Document Requirements
On the other hand, employees must provide:
- Valid passport.
- Headshot pictures.
- Emirates ID.
- Entry permit.
It is important to provide the proper paperwork, so the process can go as smoothly as possible.
Educational Documents
Additionally, prospects must provide proof of education such as:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Pre-secondary or high school diploma.
It is important that, once they have the work permit UAE, employees learn how to check work permit status in UAE. In this way, they will know when to renew it and not incur in penalties or fees. Doing the work permit UAE check is essential.
As an employer, knowing about the needs of your workers is essential. Therefore, if you want to learn more about the paperwork they require to legally work in the UAE, you can go to our insights section. Kinza HR is here to give you the support you need with your workforce in the region!