Is a Work Permit Required in Dubai?
In Dubai, a work permit is essential for foreign nationals due to the city’s unique economic environment and labor market dynamics. One of the primary reasons for this requirement is the significant reliance on expatriate labor. Dubai has a diverse economy that heavily depends on foreign workers across various sectors such as construction, hospitality, finance, and technology. By requiring work permits, the government ensures that the employment of foreign workers is regulated, maintaining a balance between the demand for skilled labor and the protection of local employment opportunities.
Another significant reason for the work permit requirement in Dubai is to support the city’s ambitious development goals and economic diversification. Dubai aims to position itself as a global hub for business, tourism, and innovation. The work permit system allows the government to attract highly skilled professionals from around the world who can contribute to these strategic sectors. This influx of talent helps drive economic growth, fosters innovation, and enhances Dubai’s global competitiveness.
Ensuring compliance with labor laws and standards is also a critical aspect of Dubai’s work permit system. The government uses the work permit process to ensure that foreign workers are employed under conditions that adhere to UAE labor laws. This includes guaranteeing fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to essential benefits. By enforcing these standards, the government aims to prevent the exploitation and abuse of foreign workers, ensuring that all employees in Dubai are treated fairly and with respect.
Additionally, the work permit system in Dubai involves thorough background checks and verification of qualifications to maintain national security and professional standards. The government ensures that foreign workers possess the necessary skills and credentials and do not pose any security risks. This scrutiny helps maintain the integrity of the workforce and ensures that foreign workers contribute positively to the economy and society.
Moreover, Dubai’s work permit system aligns with its broader vision of creating a sustainable and inclusive economy. By regulating the entry and employment of foreign workers, Dubai can better manage the economic impact and social integration of these individuals. This regulation supports the city’s goals of maintaining social harmony, promoting cultural diversity, and ensuring sustainable development.
About the Dubai Job Market
Number of Expats:
8.84 million
Expats Job Websites:
prospects.ac.uk, Jobandwork.asia, Expat, Gulftalent
Popular Industries for Expats:
Real estate, trading, services, hospitality, travel, and tourism
Types of Dubai Work Visa Available
Before obtaining a Dubai work permit, every foreign national must have an entry permit to enter the country.
The various types of visas that will allow an employee to enter the country are:
1. Visa on Arrival
Whether a foreign national will be granted this type of visa depends upon their nationality. If the expatriate is visiting the country for a short period of up to either 30 days or 90 days, they can apply for this visa.
2. Tourist Visa
Those foreign nationals who are not granted a Visa on Arrival can apply for this visa.
3. Transit visa
If the Visa on Arrival has not been granted, those traveling through UAE can apply for a Transit Visa.
4. Patient Visa
Any foreign national entering the country for medical treatment can apply for this type of visa.
5. Retirement Visa
If any foreign national has bought a property or invested in a business in UAE, they can apply for a Retirement Visa. It allows them to continue to reside in Dubai once they have retired.
Dubai Work Permit Visa Requirements
To work in Dubai legally, foreign nationals must have a Residence Visa and a Dubai work permit visa.
Foreign nationals must submit the following while applying for a residence visa in Dubai:
- A completed application form
- Passport-sized photos
- A copy of a valid company card
- The foreign applicant’s original passport, along with a copy
- An entry permit issued by the Ministry of Labor
- Health certificate
- Proof of payment of the application fee
Upon arriving in Dubai, the expatriates will also need to undergo a medical examination.
To obtain a Dubai work permit, the applicant should have the following:
- An employment contract with a Dubai-based company
- Proof of accommodations in Dubai, such as a copy of a lease agreement
- Copies of the applicant’s birth certificate, passport, and marriage certificate, if applicable
- Sufficient evidence that the applicant has enough financial means to support themselves in Dubai during their stay.
Dubai Work Permit Application Process
The employer should obtain the work visa on behalf of the foreign applicants. The visa fee costs also need to be borne by the employer.
The Dubai work permit application process is as follows:
- To hire a foreign employee, the employer in Dubai first needs to apply for approval from the Ministry of Labor.
- The Ministry of Labor will issue an entry permit, which will allow the foreign applicant to enter the UAE and stay for 30 days.
- Next, the applicant needs to travel to Dubai. Upon arrival, they get a time of 60 days to obtain a residence visa.
- Once the foreign applicant arrives in Dubai, the employer begins applying for a work permit or labor card.
- Then the employee needs to visit an Emirates ID service center with their valid passport and entry visa to obtain an ID.
- After that, the employee goes to a government hospital for their medical examination.
- Once the medical examination is over, the applicant should apply for a residence visa through the immigration authorities.
- The applicant must bring all necessary documents to the Department of Naturalization and Residency Dubai (DNRD). Here, their residence visa will be stamped onto their passport.
Once the foreign employee has obtained the residence and work permits, they may start working in Dubai.
Dubai Work Permit Processing Time
A foreign national can obtain a Dubai entry permit in two to seven days.
After that, their employer starts the application process for obtaining a work permit. This process involves several steps and may take up to 60 days.
Dubai Work Permit Fees
Dubai Work Permit fees can be categorized as:
Points to Remember Before Applying for a Dubai Work Permit:
Below are a few of the critical considerations to be kept in mind before applying for a Dubai work permit:
- Expats can enter Dubai with a Visitor Visa like the Visa on Arrival or Tourist Visa. After entering the country, they can search for a suitable job and have their prospective employer.
- The prospective employer will then have to apply for a work permit on behalf of the expat.
- However, an expat can start working in Dubai only when they have their work visa.
- In Dubai, employers are required to provide health insurance to their foreign employees.
- A foreign employee who already possesses a Dubai Work Visa can bring their spouse and children to the country. In this case, the employee becomes the sponsor of their family.
This is how Multiplier can help with a Dubai Work Permit
We are a global employer of record services company with experience handling and providing HR solutions and a local presence in over 150 countries. For global business organizations looking for efficient employee management, our team of professionals can efficiently handle the process of onboarding and managing employees.
Obtaining a Dubai work permit is a multi-tiered and complicated procedure. Partnering with Multiplier and its in-house experts will offer you a one-stop solution to this entire process by taking care of the application procedure from the initial stages till the delivery of the work permit.