The United Arab Emirates (UAE), featuring fast development and innovation, attracts a large number of professionals and investors around the world. Expats who are expecting to work in any emirate must obtain a UAE employment visa. If they decide to leave the country permanently, they should cancel the residence permit based on employment. In this article, we are going to introduce how to apply for and cancel an employment visa in the UAE.
What Is UAE Employment Visa?
It is a residence Visa for employment purposes issued to foreign workers. The visa holders can work and live legally in the UAE for a longer time than a tourist visa or visitor visa. The permitted duration of stay depends on the visa type which is listed below.
- Standard Work Visa
It is the most common employment visa type, available to most foreign employees in private sectors, government sectors, or free zones. It has shorter validity than other types, typically 2-3 years. Applicants must have a job offer from a UAE employer and be sponsored by the employer to apply for an entry permit.
- Green Visa
Introduced in 2022, it is designed for freelancers, self-employed persons, and some skilled employees. It is valid for up to 5 years and can be applied by the workers themselves without a sponsor or employer. Owners of this visa type can sponsor immediate relatives (i.e. parents or children) to relocate to the country. With a grace period of 6 months, visa holders don’t need to leave the country as soon as the visa expires or is canceled.
- Golden Visa
UAE Golden Visa is also known as an investor’s visa issued to high-value entrepreneurs and specialized talents. The visa holders can live, study, as well as work in the UAE for 10 years or longer. Moreover, it will not become invalid even if the owner passes away and their dependents can continue staying for the remaining validity.
Who Are Eligible for UAE Employment Visa?
Any expat aged at least 18 years old can apply for a standard UAE visa for work if the following requirements for employers and employees are satisfied.
- The employer has registered with the authority and has a valid business license.
- The employer/company has never violated rules and regulations.
- The employee’s position matches the business nature.
- The employee has a high school diploma or higher.
What Are the Requirements for a UAE Employment Visa?
UAE employment visa requirements differ from visa type to type. In most cases, applicants must submit documents to approve their identity, citizenship, and qualifications. Here are the general required documents despite of visa type.
- Passport with a validity of at least 6 months (both original and photocopy)
- A colored passport-style 43x55mm photo
- Emirates ID card
- Entry permit issued by the Ministry of Labor (MoL) based on the employment contract
- Medical report from a certified healthcare center in the UAE
- Academic qualifications authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy (certified copies)
- Company card provided by the employer (photocopy)
- Commercial license provided by the employer (photocopy)
New Employment Visa Rules in UAE 2024
The UAE issues green visas and golden visas to skilled workers and specialized talents listed on UAE employment visa profession list. These visa types do not require a host or sponsor but have extra requirements.
Extra Requirements for Green Visa
Freelancers and self-employed persons should:
- Have obtained a permit for freelancing or self-employment from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization;
- have a bachelor’s degree or a specialized diploma;
- earn no less than AED 360,000 annually in the previous two years or be capable to fund the applicant’s life in the UAE
Skilled employees should:
- have an employment contract;
- earn a minimum of AED 15,000 per month;
- be at the first, second, or third occupation defined by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization;
- have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
Extra Requirements for Golden Visa
The applicants must be a specialized talent, such as an inventor, doctor, scientist, athlete, or engineer who satisfies one of the requirements below.
- Have a minimum deposit of AED 2 million.
- Have at least one property with a total worth of at least AED 2 million.
- Participate in a project worth more than AED 500,000 and valued by an auditor.
- be a s, such as inventors, doctors, scientists, athletes, executives, doctoral degree holders, science and engineering specialists.
How to Apply for UAE Employment Visa
To obtain an employment visa in UAE, one must obtain an employment entry visa to enter the UAE and then an Emirates ID as well as a residence permit after arriving in the country. Here is a UAE employment visa process involving both the employer and the employee.
Apply for an Employment Entry Visa
The employment entry visa is a temporary entry permit for foreign employees to enter the UAE. Your employer should apply for it on behalf of you through the steps below. If you are already in the UAE with other visas, you can request to change your residence status.
- Request an Entry Visa Quota Approval from MoL
It serves as permission to hire expats. How many quotas are released depends on the enterprise scale and locations. A UAE free zone visa is needed when the employee will work and live in one of the 46 free zones. It usually takes 3 business days to approve the request.
- Sign an Employment Contract
After receiving the entry visa quota approval, your employer should sign a contract with you and submit it to the MoL. It should demonstrate your position, income, etc in English, Arabic, and your native language. Some might send you a digital form online, which will take only 1-2 days.
- Submit a Work Visa Application and Apply for an Entry Visa
The work visa application is approved after MoL confirms your employer’s registration status and disqualification of unemployed UAE citizens for the recruiting position.
- Receive an Employment Entry Visa
This pink entry permit will be issued in 3 days. Now you can travel to the UAE legally. Please note that it is valid for only 2 months for standard and green visas and 6 months for golden visas. You must enter UAE within validity. Otherwise, you need to apply for an extension.
Apply for an Emirates ID
It is a mandatory identification for all UAE citizens and residents. It is a required document to have a medical check and apply for a UAE employment visa. You must apply for it in person at the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) center. Take your passport and entry visa. The staff will capture your fingerprints and photographs after verifying your identity. It is suggested to complete it soon.
Apply for a Work Visa and Residence Visa
After arriving in the UAE, you have to obtain a residence permit for a long stay based on employment. Both you and your employers should work together to finish the following process.
- Take a Medical Check
It must be done at a certified clinic in the UAE. The checkup aims to screen out applicants with HIV, TB, or other contagious diseases prohibited by certain industries.
- Submit a Labor Contract
You should provide the medical checkup results to your employer and they will upload it on MoL portal along with a labor contract in 14 working days.
- Purchase Health Insurance
Health insurance is a must for all foreigners working in the UAE, but it doesn’t matter who purchases it. In some emirates where employers are not required to provide health insurance, you should join a plan on your own.
- Receive a Work/Residence Visa
MoL will issue the work visa after reviewing your application in 5 working days. Now you can work legally. The work visa is part of the residence visa which can be used to open bank accounts, rent houses, register vehicles, etc.
UAE Employment Visa Process Time
As there are so many steps involved, the waiting time might vary. In most cases, you have to wait for about 2-3 weeks to receive the employment entry visa and 2-5 working days for a residence visa. However, if any procedure is delayed or there are a large number of applications, you might have to wait for months.
How Much is an Employment Visa in UAE
The employment visa cost in UAE varies according to the visa category (depending on academic qualifications) and category levels (depending on the ratio of skilled and unskilled workers in the company). Employers have to pay an extra AED5,000 every 2 years for employees aged 65 in all categories.
| Category | Fees/per year | |
| Applicants with a high school diploma | Applicants with at least a bachelor’s degree | AED 300 |
| Category 2 | Applicants with post-secondary diploma | Level A: AED 600 Level B: AED 1,500 Level C: AED 2,000 |
| Category 3 | Applicants with high school diploma | AED 5,000 |
UAE Employment Visa Cancellation Process
Your UAE employment visa should be canceled when you get a new job from another employer, move to another country, or terminate your labor contract. When it comes to how to cancel an employment visa in UAE, it can be done online or offline by your employer or sponsor. No matter which way you choose, the following documents are needed.
- Cancellation form signed by the sponsor and a company stamp attached (in the case of a company sponsor)
- Original passport of the sponsored person (employee)
- Original ID card of the sponsored person (employee)
- Photocopy of the company’s business license
- Labor/employment card
- Employment contract
- A letter signed by the employee indicating that the employee has received all salary and benefits at the end of employment
UAE Employment Visa Online Cancellation
Sponsors can cancel the visa on the official website of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (GDRFA) or the official mobile application.
- Log in to the employment visa cancellation services.
- Fill out the electronic cancellation application form.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the cancellation fees online.
- Submit applications.
UAE Employment Visa In-person Cancellation
Sponsors can cancel the visa in person at any GDRFA branch office or service center which can be found here.
- Visit the nearest GDRFA office with the required documents.
- Obtain a cancellation request form and fill it out.
- Submit the form along with supporting documents.
- Pay the cancellation fees at the counter.
How Much Does It Cost to Cancel a UAE Employment Visa?
The total cost consists of a cancellation fee (AED100), knowledge Dirham (AED10), and innovation Dirham (AED10). The sponsor or employer will pay the cancellation fees for the employee. However, if you are canceling your family members’ visa, you should pay yourself.
How to Check If Employment Visa Is Cancelled in UAE
Employment visa cancellation in UAE takes about 1-5 business days. If your visa is issued in Dubai, the cancellation status can be checked on GDRFA website through the following steps.
- Log in to the website.
- Go to the “Visa Status” section.
- Choose “File” and enter your personal information.
- Finish the Captchas and click on “Search”.
- See the status of your visa, either valid or canceled.
If your visa is issued in other emirates, the status can be checked on the ICP smart services website as follows.
- Log in to the website.
- Click the “Public Visa Services” and then “Cancellation of Current Visa”.
- Choose the file type and enter your personal information.
- Finish the Captchas and click on “Search”.
- See the status of your visa, either valid or canceled.
FAQ
📌How long does it take to cancel a UAE employment visa?
About 1-5 business days.
📌Can my UAE residence visa be canceled while I am outside the country?
No, because you have to present your original ID and passport.
📌How many days I can stay in UAE after the employment visa cancellation?
The grace period is usually 30 days. During this period, you have to settle your debts, terminate your lease, or deal with any other affairs.
📌Is there a UAE employment visa age limit?
No. Employers have to pay extra employment visa costs in UAE for employees above 65, so it might be more difficult for older persons to get a work visa.
📌How to check UAE employment visa status using passport number?
Visit GDRFA website or choose passport for the document type. You will be required to provide a passport number.
Summary
UAE employment visa is a must for expats to work and reside legally in the UAE. Your employer will sponsor you to apply for an employment entry visa to enter the country and a work/residence visa after arrival. When you leave the UAE permanently or terminate your employment, you are supposed to cancel your residence visa through your employer or sponsor. We suggest you apply for the visa a few months in advance.
Dolores Xiao