It helps to have a work visa for the UAE because offers a number of options for those who are willing to find a job in a progressing economy with a relatively high demand for finance, technical, and many other professions.
This information would be of help to anyone who intends to build up a professional practice in this lively Middle Eastern city.
In this detailed, step-by-step manual, you are going to find out how to get a work visa in the UAE, what documents you’ll need, and some conditions and nuances you’ll have to pay attention to.
Overview of UAE Work Visa
An Employment Visa in UAE is generally called a UAE working visa or labor permit. It is a legal permission that allows an expatriate to work in the UAE. This visa is basic for any person who dreams of employment in UAE in any capacity.
Eligibility Criteria for a Work Visa in the UAE:
Age and Health Requirements:
- Age: The age of the applicants tend to range between eighteen and sixty years. But it is understood that this rule can be adjusted based on the specific sector of the company, or jobs that require highly qualified personnel.
- Health: The applicants for work visa must first under go a medical fitness test before being allowed to work. This comprises examinations for contagious ailments for example HIV/AIDS as well as tuberculosis.
Educational and Professional Qualifications :
- Education: Many of them call for at least a four year university degree or its equivalent. These may include certain degrees or certifications, if needed for the certain position.
- Experience: Experience is necessary so that you will be able to demonstrate that you have experience working in the field, the time span is typical depending on the position available and the kind of company.
- Skills: There are fields, which call for particular credentials such as in health, teaching, or in the engineering sector.
Nationality and Passport Validity :
- Nationality: Most of the countries UAE accepts the applicants for work visas. However, nationals of some countries may be subjected to more strict checking or even be subjected to some physical and documentary checklist.
Employment Offer and Sponsorship
- Valid job offer: They have to hold a confirmed employment offer from a company based in the United Arab Emirates.
- Employer eligibility: Your prospective employer needs to be licensed by the MOHRE and should have the permits to hire foreign employees.
- Sponsorship: The work visa application occurs through the support of your employer who becomes your sponsor.
Types of Work Visas Available in the UAE:
There are several categories of UAE work visa that are designed to address the various situations with regard to employment and its duration. Getting to know these options will enable you to make the right decision of which visa to apply in your situation.
Standard Employment Visa:
- It is the simplest work permit available in the UAE and easily the most popular one amongst the lot.
- Duration: Originally, for a period of 2 years renewable for similar terms.
- Eligibility: For people having an offer of employment from an employer in the UAE.
- Process: Supported by the employer and can only be created with MOHRE’s permission.
Freelance Visa :
Targeting the audience of people working for themselves and participating in freelance work.
- Duration: Usually it is valid for 2 years.
- Eligibility: Thus, for freelancers who are interested in specific fields, especially for freelancers who work in free zones.
- Process: This initiative has to be sponsored from a free zone authority.
Investor Visa :
For those who are going to invest in a business or planning to set up the business in the UAE.
- Duration: Most of the visas can be obtained for a five or ten year validity period.
- Eligibility: Depending on the value of investment and nature & size of the business.
- Process: And must be planned with prior approval of the appropriate economic ministries.
Golden Visa :
A permanent residence permit for people who are extraordinary in skills and those who want to invest in a country.
- Duration: Valid for 5 to 10 years with renewal.
- Eligibility: For an individual with high earning ability, those in the creative and performing arts, and students with excellent performance.
- Process: Either by recommendation or by the persons applying for releva
Application Process for the Work Visa in UAE
When applying for a UAE work visa, the process is a little challenging; however, knowing what is involved makes the process easier.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the typical application process:
Initial Steps with Employer :
- Document submission: Pass all your personal documents to your employer.
- Employer preparation: You employer starts the process since he/she is the one who will apply for the work permit on your behalf.
Work Permit Application :
- MOHRE application: Your employer submits an application to The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
- Approval process: After receiving the application, MOHRE looks at it and gives the first approval of the application.
- Security clearance: A security check is carried out by restoring the custody of the candidate to the relevant authorities.
Entry Permit Issuance:
- Entry permit application: Upon getting the approval of the work permit of your employer, then applies for your entry permit.
- Permit issuance: The entry permit is obtained and this permit enables one to into the United Arab Emirates.
- Visa stamping: On arrival entry permit is stamped on the passport.
Post-Arrival Procedures :
- Medical testing: That is to under go a medical fitness test at an accredited health center.
- Emirates ID application: Get your Emirates ID card.
- Labor card issuance: Your employer gets your labor card from MOHRE.
- Residence visa stamping: The residence visa is to be stamped at the passport.
Final Steps:
- Health insurance: Get proper health insurance.
- Bank account opening: Open a local bank account for the transfer of salary.
- Document collection: Get your Emirates ID, labor card as well as your passport stamped.
Online Application Systems :
The UAE has implemented several online systems to streamline the visa application process:
- e-Channels system: Employed to apply for visas on behalf of the employee.
- ICA Smart Services: For entry permit and residence visa application.
- MOHRE online portal: Concerning the work permit applications and labor card issuance.
It is worth following this process comprehensively and being very attentive in the process if one is to successfully transition to work in the UAE. O
ne has to keep in touch most of the time with the employer because most of the process will be under the employer’s direction concerning the visas.
Work Visas to the UAE: Duration and Renewal:
This is why it is important to understand the period of your working visa and the procedure of its renewal in order to stay lawful in the UAE. Here’s a comprehensive look at visa durations and the renewal process:
Standard Work Visa Duration :
- Initial validity: Work visas generally have a validity of two years so they need to be renewed.
- Variations: In a free zone which may issue Visas for three years it must be considered.
- Probation period: Regardless of the probation period outcome, your visa is still valid; however, you might have to switch employers, and hence the transfer options, or leave the country.
Conditions of the Employer at the Time of Sponsoring the Employee for Work Visas in UAE:
When you’re aiming to work in the UAE finding a sponsor to get a work visa is a must. So knowing what both the boss and the worker have to do in this sponsorship deal is key.
The points listed below shed light on the duties that fall upon the Employer when they take on the role of a sponsor:
Employer’s Obligations:
- Legal Responsibility: While someone works for them it’s the boss’s job to legally take care of their worker.
- Visa Application: Most visas are processed by the employers.
- Compliance: Employers must observe compliance with labor laws and visa requirements.
Employer Eligibility for Sponsorship
- Valid Trade License: The company must hold and show a valid trading license.
- Quota Compliance: Complying with Emiratisation quotas and labor laws.
- Good Standing: The company must be acceptable to UAE Authorities.
Switching Employer While on a Work Visa in the UAE
Transitioning from one employment to another while in the UAE working under an immigration permit involves certain steps. Understanding the legal requirements and steps involved in transitioning between employers is crucial to avoid any potential issues:
Legal Considerations
- Contractual Obligations: Employment contracts, notice periods, and restrictions.
- Labor Ban Possibility: A labor ban may be set if the job change circumstances indicate so.
- Legal Repercussions: Legal violations during the transition to a new job can result in penalties.
Job Change Process:
- Offer Acceptance: Accepting a different employment opportunity from another employer and receiving a new contract for it.
- NOC Requirement: There are some situations, which may require that the applicant present a report from the current employer certifying that they have no objection to the intended action.
- Contract Cancellation: Terminating the current employment contract.
- Visa Transfer: Starting the transfer of the visa to the new employer.
FAQs:
Can I sponsor my family on a work visa in the UAE?
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Regarding the dependent visas, the employees can sponsor their family members if different requirements including the minimum salary and accommodation conditions are fulfilled. The procedure includes extra paperwork and the fulfillment of certain guidelines.
What happens if my work visa expires in the UAE?
Typically, you count thirty days where you will be on probation to either have your visa renewed or you have to leave the country. The same could be said about the timely addressing of the renewal of visa as it is also among the essential issues.
Conclusion:
Obtaining and holding a work visa in the UAE can be described in terms of what a worker needs to know regarding the qualifications required, documents needed when applying for the visa, and general procedures and costs that have to be incurred.
Employees’ work visas are offered by their employers who help to adhere to the standards and requirements of the specific visa.
Employees cannot be passive in the management of their visa/documents; they should remain within the legal means of their visa and seek legal advice when transferring from one company or when as a sponsor of a family member.
By understanding visa requirements, or freedoms or expectations as visitors or workers, one can go to the UAE to maximize employment with full compliance to the laws of the country.