Guide to Obtaining a Work Residence Visa in the UAE

If you’re considering a move to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for employment as a skilled worker, there are two primary visa options to facilitate your stay in the country.

Two scenarios exist for obtaining a UAE work residence visa for skilled worker: the standard work visa, valid for two or three years, and the five-year Green visa for work.

Standard Work Visa

This is the most common work visa issued to individuals employed in mainland or free zone companies.

The employer is responsible for applying for the standard residence visa at their own expense.

Required Documents

• A color photograph with a white background
• Passport copy with a validity of at least six months
• Attested university degree, if applicable

Additional documentation, such as a letter of approval from the relevant authority (for professions like physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and teachers), may be required, with guidance provided by your employer. Your qualifications should align with the company’s activities.

If you are recruited from outside the UAE, you will initially receive an entry permit, allowing you to enter the UAE within two months. During this period, your employer must finalize your work visa.

Upon arrival in the UAE, you’ll undergo a medical fitness test and provide biometric data (fingerprint and eye scan) for the Emirates ID.

The Emirates ID is a government-issued identity card for UAE citizens and residents, mandatory for all to apply.

The process for obtaining a residence visa is relatively straightforward for employees, involving document submission and a medical fitness test.

Once you have obtained your visa and Emirates ID, you can proceed to apply for your family’s visa, a process that differs slightly and will be detailed in a separate post.