SERVICE · VISAS

Employment Visa

Sponsor an employee’s UAE residency through your company — labour contract, status change and Emirates ID handled as one coordinated process.

At a glance

5–10 working daysTypical timeline
Company-sponsoredTied to your labour and establishment card
1–3 years validityDepending on contract type
Labour contract requiredRegistered with MOHRE

Overview

What an employment visa involves

An employment visa lets your company sponsor a worker’s UAE residency, tied to a registered labour contract and your company’s labour and establishment cards. It is the standard route for hiring both UAE-based and overseas candidates onto your payroll.

The process runs in parallel across MOHRE (labour contract) and GDRFA (residency), so both need to stay in sync — a mismatch between the two is a common cause of delay.

Labour contract registration with MOHRE
Entry permit or status change application
Medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics
Visa stamping and Emirates ID card issuance

Benefits

Why get this coordinated properly

MOHRE and GDRFA kept in sync

Labour contract and residency filings are coordinated so one doesn’t stall on the other.

Fast for straightforward hires

With a complete file, most employment visas complete within five to ten working days.

Correct contract type

Full-time, part-time and limited-contract categories are matched correctly to avoid future disputes.

Renewal tracked

Employment visa expiry is tracked so hiring status never lapses unnoticed.

Who this is for

Companies hiring staff — whether relocating from abroad or already resident in the UAE — who need the employee’s labour contract and residency processed correctly.

Requirements & Process

What you’ll need, and how we run it

Documents & eligibility

The file combines the employee’s personal documents with your company’s labour and establishment card details.

Passport copy of the employee, valid at least six months
Passport-size photograph against a white background
Signed labour contract
Educational or professional certificates, attested where the role requires it
Current labour card and establishment card
No Objection Certificate from a current UAE employer, where applicable

Additional documents may be required depending on the role and nationality. We confirm the exact list for your case before any fee is paid.

How it works

The 5-stage process

With a complete file, most employment visas complete within five to ten working days.

01

Labour contract registration

The employment contract is registered with MOHRE.

1–2 working days
02

Entry permit or status change

The residency application is filed with GDRFA or ICP.

2–4 working days
03

Medical fitness test

We book the earliest available medical appointment.

1–3 working days
04

Emirates ID biometrics

Biometric capture is completed at an approved centre.

1–2 working days
05

Visa stamping and card delivery

The residence visa is stamped and the Emirates ID card issued.

3–5 working days

Sponsor your new hire’s visa

Tell us about the role and candidate — a senior consultant confirms the process and quote in writing, usually within the hour.

Free consultation Exact cost in writing Response in under 5 minutes