IncorpUAE
    Back to Visa Guide

    Employee Visa UAE

    Sponsor staff to work under your company in the UAE

    Typical costAED 3,000–5,500 per employee
    Processing10–20 business days
    Validity2–3 years (renewable)

    Overview

    Employee visas allow your company to sponsor staff to live and work in the UAE. Your visa quota — the number of employees you can sponsor — depends on your office space size and licence type. Free zones typically allocate a fixed quota per package; mainland quota depends on your office Ejari and activity type.

    Who this is for

    • Companies hiring staff in the UAE
    • Founders who need team members on-ground
    • Businesses expanding their UAE operations

    Requirements

    • Valid trade licence with sufficient visa quota
    • Signed employment contract
    • Employee's passport with 6+ months validity
    • Passport-sized photographs
    • Educational certificates (attested, for certain roles)
    • Medical fitness test
    • Emirates ID biometrics

    Process — step by step

    1

    Ensure visa quota availability

    Check your licence allows additional visas. Free zones have fixed quotas; mainland quota ties to office space size.

    2

    Obtain labour approval

    Apply for a work permit through MOHRE (mainland) or the relevant free zone authority.

    3

    Apply for entry permit

    Once labour approval is granted, apply for the employee's entry permit to enter the UAE.

    4

    Medical fitness test

    The employee completes a medical examination upon arrival at an approved centre.

    5

    Emirates ID registration

    Register biometrics at an ICP-authorised typing centre.

    6

    Visa stamping & labour card

    Residence visa is stamped and labour card is issued. The employee is now legally employed.

    Key cautions

    Mainland requires WPS (Wage Protection System) compliance — salaries must be paid through approved channels
    Hiring certain nationalities may require additional MOHRE approvals
    You are liable for employees' visa status — if they overstay, you may face fines

    Frequently asked questions

    How many employees can I sponsor?
    Free zones: typically 1–6 visas per flexi-desk/office package (varies by zone). Mainland: roughly 1 visa per 9 sqm of Ejari-registered office space.
    Can I hire employees without a physical office?
    In most free zones, a flexi-desk package includes 1–3 visa allocations. On mainland, you need a registered office (Ejari) to get visa quota.
    What happens if an employee resigns?
    You must cancel their visa within 30 days. Failure to do so may result in fines. End-of-service benefits (gratuity) apply after 1+ year of service.

    Related

    Investor visa guideMainland licensingOffice & Ejari requirements

    Sources & methodology

    This guide is compiled from official UAE government immigration sources — the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), and the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE). Visa categories, eligibility, and fees are set by these authorities and can change; always confirm the current requirements directly.

    Last updated: February 2026

    Disclaimer: This guide is educational only. Visa requirements and fees are subject to change. Always verify current information with the relevant authority or a licensed immigration advisor.