If you're hiring someone from outside the UAE, or you've just landed a job here yourself, an employment visa is what makes it legal to actually work. It's not the same as a tourist visa, and it's not the same as a freelance permit it's tied specifically to an employer sponsoring you, and it comes with its own set of steps: labour approval, entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, and finally the visa stamp in your passport.

PROBIZ handles this process for companies and employees across Dubai and the wider UAE. If you're based near Al Barsha, you can also come in and sort your documents with us directly rather than doing everything over email.

What Is an Employment Visa in the UAE?

An employment visa (sometimes called a work visa or labour visa) is a residence visa tied to a job offer from a UAE-registered company. The employer applies on the employee's behalf, and once approved, the employee can legally live and work in the UAE for the duration of the visa typically two or three years depending on the type of company and free zone or mainland setup.

It's different from a freelance visa (which lets you work independently under your own permit) and different from a dependent visa (which is sponsored by a family member, not an employer).

Who Needs an Employment Visa?

• Foreign nationals hired by a UAE mainland or free zone company
• Employees relocating to the UAE for a confirmed job offer
• Companies sponsoring new hires from outside the country
• Employees switching from one UAE employer to another (this needs a new employment visa, not a transfer of the old one)

If you're already in the UAE on a visit visa and get offered a job, you can usually convert your status without leaving the country, provided your current visa allows it.

Documents Required for an Employment Visa

From the employer:

• Valid trade license copy
• Establishment card
• Labour quota approval (if applicable)
• Offer letter / employment contract

From the employee:

• Passport copy (valid for at least 6 months)
• Passport-size photo (white background)
• Educational certificate (attested, required for certain job roles and free zones)
• Previous visa cancellation copy, if applicable

Exact requirements shift slightly depending on whether the company is mainland or based in a free zone, and PROBIZ will confirm what applies to your specific case before you start gathering paperwork.

Employment Visa Process — Step by Step

1. Labour approval / entry permit — the employer applies for initial approval to bring the employee into the country, or to change their status if already in the UAE.
2. Status change or entry — if the employee is abroad, they enter on the approved entry permit. If already in the UAE, their current visa status is adjusted.
3. Medical fitness test — mandatory for all employment visa applicants, done at an approved UAE health center.
4. Emirates ID application — biometrics and application submitted alongside the visa stamping process.
5. Visa stamping — once medical clearance and Emirates ID are processed, the employment visa is stamped into the employee's passport.

Most employers expect this to take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on document readiness and which authority is processing it PROBIZ keeps track of each stage so nothing stalls waiting on a missing document.

Employment Visa Cost in Dubai

Costs depend on the company's jurisdiction (mainland vs. free zone), the employee's role, and whether it's a new visa or a renewal. Government fees, medical testing, and Emirates ID charges are billed separately from PROBIZ's service fee. We'll give you the full itemized breakdown before you commit to anything, so there's no guessing halfway through the process.

Employment Visa Services in Al Barsha, Dubai

If you're a business owner or HR manager based in or around Al Barsha, PROBIZ's office is right there, which means you can bring in original documents, get them checked in person, and avoid back-and-forth over email for anything that needs a physical signature or stamp. We also work with companies outside Al Barsha and handle the process remotely when needed being local just makes it easier when documents need hands-on handling.

Why Work With PROBIZ for Your Employment Visa

• We manage the full process labour approval, medical test scheduling, Emirates ID, and visa stamping — so you're not chasing multiple departments yourself
• We flag missing or incorrect documents before submission, which is where most delays actually happen
• We work with both mainland and free zone companies, so the process is tailored to your specific setup
• Direct WhatsApp and phone support if something changes mid-process

FAQ Section