Phase one: Obtaining an Employment entry visa in the UAE
1. Approval of the Visa Quota
The first step usually takes three business days to secure an entrance visa and a work permit. The first step is to obtain permission from the Ministry of Labour (MOL) for a visa quota, and the employer will apply on behalf of the employee. If a visa is required in each of the free zones, it is necessary to issue a quota permit before the employee arrives in the UAE.
Free Zone companies have a work permit cap limit, typically limited to one foreign worker per 12.5 square meters of office space. Furthermore, a quota is imposed on certain positions for all companies with more than 100 employees. An interface may be used to upgrade the quota if a quota has already been met, but it is not guaranteed.
2. Contract job offer and signature
The next move can be electronically accelerated and done within two business days. The next move is to submit a contract to be signed by the applicant for the work offer and return it to the employer. It must be both in English and Arabic, as well as in the native language of the worker (if that makes a difference). This ensures that the candidate arrives for a legitimate job position and that the MOL will review the letter of offer.
3. Permit to work (approval of the application):
The period for this process typically takes between three and five working days. Before the entry visa is issued, the work permit application must be accepted. The Ministry of Labour typically bases its decision during this approval process on whether there are unemployed UAE citizens who should do a job and if the sponsor is a licensed UAE corporate entity. Otherwise, there will have to be permission.
4. Visa admission for employment
The period for this process typically takes three working days. The Ministry issues an Employment Entry Visa, also known as a pink visa, upon receipt of a work permit approval, which requires applicants to access the UAE lawfully. This permit is valid for a period of 2 months from the date of issue and requires the holder to stay for a maximum period of 30 days in the UAE, which may be extended twice as long as the formal work permit is accepted.
Phase Two: Acquisition of a work permit and a residency visa in the UAE
1. UAE Admission with a new Entry Permit/Visa Status Change
There are two options for entering the country and beginning the process of work permission. The employee would pick it up on arrival at the airport if the entrance visa was ready before arrival. If the staff member is still in the UAE with another type of visa, after issuing the entry visa, they will have to apply for a 'change of status' visa (or they can leave and re-enter the country with the Entry Visa).
He/she has sixty days to fulfill all the formalities required to obtain a work permit and a residency visa if the employee enters the country.
2. Medical screening
Before a work permit can be issued, the UAE needs all foreign nationals to obtain medical screening. They've got to file it one day.
3. Application of Emirates ID/ Biometrics
Until the required form has been typed at each typing centre, the employee will then have to go to the Emirates ID service centre. In order to apply for an ID and to carry out biometrics, an original valid passport and work entry permit is required. They've got to file it one day.
4. Results of medical scanning
The medical screening results must be gathered and included in the submission. It only takes one day.
5. Signature of the labour deal
As part of the application for a work permit, a negotiated job contract may also be presented. The deal is subject to a new timeline that must be delivered to the MOL within 14 days of the medical reports being issued. You can post the job contract on the MOL website.
6. Receipt of labour card/work permit & contract start date
The payroll can be formally initiated via the official UAE system when a work permit is issued. It takes five business days to complete this process.
7. Request for medical health insurance card
This process typically takes five business days. This is a major move, as health insurance in the UAE is now mandatory, all employers must have benefits for expat staff (or they have to buy it on their own). Without a valid insurance card, the work permit could not be issued or expanded.
8. Visa residency stamping of passport
This process typically takes three business days. In order to lawfully live in the UAE, both expat staff and their family members will require a residency visa. For opening bank accounts, registering a vehicle and opening a PO box, visas are required.
9. Collection of emirates ID
The employee may obtain, in addition to the work permit, an Emirates ID card that is useful for regular identification purposes (rather than carrying a passport). The expected period for this process is 10 days after the visa is stamped on the passport on the date of residency.
Do not hesitate to call us if you have any inquiries concerning visas, work permits or labour issues.
