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Chat on WhatsAppDubai is both a cultural crossroads and a global financial and commercial hub. A surprisingly cosmopolitan city with a wide range of excellent restaurants, entertainment options, and accommodations, it's no wonder it attracts expats from around the world.
Working and living here offers not only the highest quality of life in the Middle East and Africa region, but also complete freedom from income tax.
Significant investment in the city in the run-up to Expo 2020, which was then postponed for a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, means Dubai has world-class infrastructure and is a safe place to live.
So, for those interested in becoming part of a multicultural force in one of the world's largest business centers, here's a helpful guide on what you need to know about visas for working in Dubai.
FormalitiesBroadly speaking, there are three types of work visas for Dubai.
Dubai: Both a residence visa and a work permit are required. To apply for a work permit, you must already have a contract. It is then the employer's responsibility to request a sponsorship.
If the permit was obtained "outside the country," once the permit is obtained, it will be possible to enter the country and stay for up to two months while both the company and the employee complete the remaining mandatory procedures. These include medical tests and obtaining a foreign resident identity card in the UAE.
It's also possible to apply for the permit after having previously entered as a tourist. The procedure is the same, but you can officially begin your work visa application only after completing the work visa process.
If you change employers, you will need to have the new company's details updated by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDFRA).
Your ability to obtain a full-time permit will also depend on the type of employment you are applying for, as there are different permits with different restrictions for skilled and unskilled employees.
Self-employed workers can obtain a freelance permit. There are three specific sectors in which freelance work is possible: education, media, and technology.
Freelance permits are issued through the GoFreelance initiative. It's managed by several free zones, but there's a limited number of places available for each category. Therefore, the freelance option you're looking for may not always be immediately available.
If you already have a parent or spouse's visa, you can apply for a permit that is renewed annually. If you don't have a sponsor who is a parent or spouse, you can still apply for a freelance visa, which includes a residence permit and is renewable every three years.
In response to the growing number of people working remotely, the government has introduced a new remote work permit. This permit will allow employees and their families to live in the Emirate for up to a year while collaborating remotely with companies around the world.
While in Dubai on a smart working visa, expats will be able to open bank accounts and enroll their children in local schools, something previously reserved for residents only.
EligibilityAnyone over the age of 18 can apply as long as they meet the standards set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
There is no maximum age for applicants, but the sponsoring company will pay a higher fee for older applicants.
In addition to this, there is a classification based on the educational qualification held:
If you don't have at least a high school diploma, you're classified as an "unskilled worker." Unskilled workers require a minimum six-month contract.
A work visa isn't requested directly by the individual, but by the company that intends to hire them. For this reason, the main eligibility criterion for obtaining one is having a current offer from a company registered in Dubai.
Additionally, you must take a mandatory medical fitness test before you can receive a residence visa. This test checks for common communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and leprosy. If you are found to have any of these medical conditions, the test will be denied and you will be required to leave the country.
DocumentsWhile much of the application process will be handled by the employer, you will need to submit the following documents yourself:
The cost of a work permit varies depending on the employee category you fall into, your educational qualification level, the number of employees in the company, and its total turnover.
For freelance work, there's a fee of AED 7,500 (approximately €1,750), paid annually. For remote work, there's a one-time processing fee of AED 1,054 (€250) per application.
