The United Arab Emirates remains a popular destination for expertise as the visa application process is much simpler as opposed to other countries in the Middle East. UAE has recently captured a lot of international markets by offering incentives and amending its policies to fit the needs of international investors. However, like any country, UAE also has a certain way through which the country operates and handles things like immigration, residence visas, and work permits amongst other things.
If your company is in the midst of international expansion then you might have neither the time nor the resources to get UAE work visas for every employee. This is where Rizmona comes in with its astute reputation as a reliable partner to help you through such processes. In order to understand the process, here is a complete guide for obtaining entry permits in the UAE.
Types of Work Visa Available in UAE
As of now, there is only one type of work visa which is available in the UAE which is often also referred to as a labor card. Before applying for the work permit, there are a few things that will be required beforehand that are as following:
- Entry Visa
- Residence Visa
- Emirates ID Card
After attaining all three things, you can easily begin the process of obtaining a work permit in the UAE.
Requirements for Obtaining Work Permit and Residence Visa in UAE
If you have previously visited Rizmona, you will be aware that we put extra emphasis on complete documentation because most applications are rejected due to lack of documents, not being attested, and more.
The documents required for obtaining the work permit and residence visa in the UAE are as following:
- Valid passport and a photocopy of it
- Passport photos
- Emirates ID card
- Entry permit from the Ministry of Labor
- Medical screening results
- Copy of company card from the employer
- Copy of company’s commercial license
Visa Free Entry
The GCC countries have the luxury to not require a visa, permit, or sponsorship by a national or resident in the UAE. The only documents they require for a visa-free entry are the GCC country passport and national ID card; these things need to be provided at the point of entry into the UAE.
Visa on Arrival
There are two visas that are normally given upon arrival; a 30-day visa on arrival and a 90-day visa on arrival. The 30-day visa can be further extended for 10 days as a grace period but you will need to provide a strong reason for it.
The list of countries that are eligible for visas on arrival may vary from time to time, which is important to consult the UAE Embassy official website beforehand.
Pre-Arranged UAE Entry Permits
If you cannot obtain a visa-free entry or visa on arrival then you are required to have an entry permit prior to arrival into the UAE or you will need someone to sponsor you.
The type of entry permit you will need could be for the following reasons; tourism, visit, transit, or work. There are some requirements that need to be met as well.
The first requirement is finding a sponsor so you can apply for a work permit. The sponsor can be anyone from the following list;
- Emirati citizen
- Expatriate resident with a valid residency permit in the UAE
- UAE-based airline
- UAE-based hotel or tour agent
- Government entity
- Companies in the private sector or free zones
The person seeking the entry permit must have a genuine passport which should be valid for at least 6-months and have at least two blank pages.
Additionally, you should also know that a visa ban prohibits everyone to enter the country or take up a new job. Things such as these need to be looked out for.
Application Process for UAE Work Permit
The application process can be broken down into three phases; the first one is focused on getting the employment entry visa, second is obtaining the Emirates ID card, and the last phase is focused on obtaining the residence visa and the work permit.
Employment Entry Visa for the UAE
The employment entry visa is also referred to as a pink visa. To kick start the process, the employer is required to play a vital role which is to apply for visa quota approval on behalf of the employee. According to the process, the approval will be obtained through the Ministry of Labour (MOL).
After that, the employer will be required to submit the employment control to the MOL which must contain the signature of the employee. The contract needs to be legitimate otherwise the employer and the employee can both be fined for fabrication.
It is very important to understand that the Ministry must approve the work permit application before the employment entry visa has been issued. After the approval, the employee has two months to enter the UAE. Within these two months, the employee has to obtain a residence visa and formal work permit.
Getting Emirates ID
Obtaining the Emirates ID is a crucial step because this ID is required for the purpose of medical screening of the employees, which is mandatory for residence visa application.
In order to apply for the Emirates ID, the employee is required to provide their entry visa along with the original passport and its copy. This process has to be carried out in person at the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) center.
The officials at EIDA will then take your photographs, fingerprints, and verify other related information.
Obtaining Residence Visa and Work Permit
The residence visa application requires proper documentation and the employee must have all the documents mentioned previously. The residence visa in the UAE has validity for up to three years and can also be renewed. Moreover, the employee’s work permit will be listed as part of the residency visa. The employee will become eligible to work as soon as the work permit is received.
Validity of Entry Permits
The official documentation remarks the validity of entry permits in the UAE as: The validity of entry permits and the time frame within which the visitor should enter the country depends on the type of permit issued. The validity permit for visit visas, tourist visas, and/or employment visas is 60 days from the issue date. However, the validity of entry permits for GCC residents is 30 days from the issue date. 96 hours transit visas are valid only for 14 days from the issuance day. Different validity duration applies for multiple entry visas and temporary work permits.
How to Apply for Entry Permit in UAE?
There are various ways through which you can initiate the application process, which is as follows:
Online Channels
In the age of technology, a number of processes have been shifted online to make life easier for everyone involved in the process. Similarly, in order to apply for an entry permit in UAE, there are ways to do it via the internet. There are a number of methods which you can adopt and they are as following:
The eChannels Portal
The eChannels portal made available to the public enables them to either apply for a new visa or renew the existing one without any further complexities. In order to apply, there are a few prerequisites that need to be completed or fulfilled; first and foremost, the individuals or companies processing the application must have themselves registered. Without their own registration, the application cannot be processed.
Talking about the eVisa, it can be used at the entry port in the United Arab Emirates without having to use the original visa prior to the arrival of the sponsor. These are some key things to remember and follow upon.
Website of GDFRA
Another method through which you can process the visa application is via the official website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai. You can sign up for the website and use your account as the interested party and follow through with all the steps, which also include attaching documents and so on. Once you complete your application, you can then take a sigh of relief.
Another website has been provided through which the Dubai nationals, citizens, and residents can apply for the entry permit and residence visa for their beloved ones and it is called Amer. The visa extension for visitors can be applied on arrival as well.
Mobile Apps
The UAE entry permit and visa residence can also be applied through various mobile applications which are approved by the government itself. These applications can be filled through:
It is important to remember that the online applications also require the same level of attentiveness as any other method; you will need to attach all the relevant documents, fill out all the correct information which is free from any errors. Bare in mind that a flawless application improves the chances for you to attain any visa you are applying for.
Business Golden Visa Platform
A platform has been specifically launched, called Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship launched an electronic platform, for the purpose of applying for business visas. This launch was a part of the Golden Visa program. Professionals with entrepreneurial experience from around the world are eligible to apply for a business visa to set up their own businesses in the UAE. Applicants can submit official documents of their projects through the website for obtaining the golden visa. Government entities concerned can review the applications and attachments to ensure they fulfill the conditions required.
Here are the steps involved:
- Apply For Nomination
- The start of the process is by applying for a nomination. Your application will be reviewed by a government-authorized incubator within 30-days and you will then receive an email notifying you of the outcome
- Upload Documents
- Once the nomination has been approved, you will have to submit all the required documents which are not only scanned properly but also are legitimate. Some documents might need to be attested, you can consult the official website for clarification on it
- Receive Your Visa
- Your application will be verified by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship and you will then receive your official and valid visa
Offline Channels
The offline channels include Typing Centres and Amer Centres. The crux of the process at both centers is typing the actual visa application and processing it through the GDFRA of the respective emirate. Once the application has been processed, the candidate will get an email verifying whether their application has been approved or rejected.
Riz & Mona Consultancy
For more information, contact Riz & Mona Consultancy team and we will be more than happy to guide you through any process you are stuck with.
We provide a complete range of corporate services across the UAE and have clients from all over the world. Our services include LLC Company Formation, Business Setup in Dubai Mainland or in any of the Free Zones of UAE, Offshore Company Formation, Business Support Services, Business Licenses, Product Registration, Pro Services, Bank Account Opening, Visa Services and much more.
Get a free consultation from our experts. Contact us on Whatsapp: +971 54 582 1012 or email: info@rizmona.com. Book your free appointment to get professional assistance as per your requirements.
