UAE Employment Visa Requirements
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a global hub, with an ever-increasing number of international companies setting up offices, notably in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. If you wish to move to the UAE for employment, you will need to obtain an employment visa and certain other items in order to live and work in the country.
The following are some of the employment visa requirements and other items you should consider before applying for an UAE employment visa:
- Employment Offer: Generally, in order to obtain an employment visa, you must first have an offer of employment from a company registered in the UAE.
- Employment Contract: Once a company makes an offer of employment, the job seeker will usually be asked to sign a contract of employment. The contract should cover the job title, job duties, work hours, salary, and other benefits.
- Passport and Visa Application: A valid passport and visa are required in order to live and work in the UAE. You will need to provide a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity, a passport photograph, and some supporting documents, such as visa application forms, proof of funds, and any other documents required by the visa office.
- Medical Check-up: Before applying for a work visa, you will need to undergo a medical check-up in one of the UAE's approved medical centers. Depending on the state, results may need to be submitted to the Ministry of Health within seven to 14 days of your check-up.
- Residence Permit: After your UAE employment visa has been approved, you will need to obtain a residence permit. The residence permit, which usually has an expiration date, allows you to stay in the country for the duration of your employment contract. It is important to keep your residence permit up-to-date and renew it before it expires.
- Employment Rights: As an employee in the UAE, there are certain rights and obligations that you should be aware of. These include labor laws such as the right to a minimum wage, the right to acceptable working hours, and the right to leave.
UAE Employment Visa
The employment visa is the most common type of visa to be issued for entering and working in the UAE. The visa is sponsored by the employer and allows the holder to enter the UAE to work for the sponsor. The employment visa is normally valid for a period of two years from the date of issuance and can be renewed for another two years upon expiration. It is important to keep in mind that the renewal of an employment visa is based on the issuance of a new work permit.
Some of the documents that are required for the application of an employment visa include a completed application form, a valid passport and residence permit, two passport-size photographs, evidence of salary, a valid UAE residence visa, and a valid medical certificate.
Work visa in the UAE
Work visas are issued in accordance with the laws of the UAE, which specify the conditions and requirements for obtaining a work visa. In general, if you are offered employment in the UAE and wish to take up residence in the country, you will need to obtain a work visa. This can only be issued if the following conditions are met:
- You hold a valid passport from a country that is not subject to any visa restrictions by the UAE government.
- Your employer in the UAE has applied for a work visa in your name.
- You have been offered a valid contract of employment from your sponsor.
- You have obtained a valid medical certificate.
- You have a valid residence permit.
- You have valid travel insurance.
Generally, the employer will arrange for the visa application process, including the collection of the required documents, any processing fees, and the submission of the application. The visa generally takes around two weeks to process, depending on the type of visa and whether or not all of the required documents are submitted.
Once your visa is approved, you will need to enter the UAE on your new visa within 60 days. Upon arrival, you will need to have your sponsor or authorized representative collect your residence permit from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners' Affairs.
Employment visas are not automatically renewable, and the visa holder will need to apply for a new one when the original one expires. If the visa holder wishes to apply for a new work visa, they will need to meet the same criteria as they did when they applied for their first work visa.
In conclusion, it is important to take into consideration all of the above points when applying for a UAE employment visa. It is essential to ensure that all of the required documents are submitted and that the visa is obtained within the required timeline. Moreover, it is important that the visa holder be aware of their rights and obligations as an employee in the UAE in order to avoid any legal difficulties during their stay in the country.
