Article
How to Get a Standard Work Visa UAE
Immigration
Author
Jemima Owen-Jones
Published
July 12, 2024
Last Update
November 06, 2024
Table of Contents
1. Check your and your worker’s eligibility
2. Prepare the supporting documents
3. Obtain an entry visa
4. Arrange a medical examination
5. Apply for an Emirates ID
6. File for residency
Partner with Deel for a smooth visa process
Key takeaways
- The application process for a Standard Work Visa involves several steps for both employers and foreign workers, including attestation, benefits enrolment, and a medical check.
- Before you can sponsor the candidate for residency, you must help them apply for an entry visa and Emirates ID.
- Partnering with an immigration service like Deel can help you streamline the visa application process and ensure a smooth transition for employees.
Businesses looking to employ foreign workers within the UAE should consider sponsoring them for a Standard Work Visa. This document gives private sector employees the right to live and work in the country for up to two years. If they meet certain criteria, they can also bring their families.
There are two ways to secure the Standard Work Visa: You can handle the application yourself using your in-house team or have a specialized immigration service like Deel handle it instead.
Here are the steps you must take if you choose to undergo the Standard Work Visa process alone:
1. Check your and your worker’s eligibility
The UAE has generally flexible requirements for the Standard Work Visa. Namely, all candidates must be aged between 18 and 60 years old and possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
If your worker intends to bring their family, check they also meet the requirements. Dependents can be parents, spouses, or children. However, anybody over the age of 18 must be deemed to be medically fit or they won’t be allowed to enter the UAE.
To be an eligible sponsor, your worker must have a minimum salary of 4,000 AED ($1080 USD) per month. You can reduce this to 3,000 AED ($815) if you offer suitable accommodation.
As the employer, you must have a valid UAE business license and ask the Ministry of Human Resources and Emirization (MOHRE) for approval. If you’re in one of the 46 free zones, you must ensure you’re not exceeding its visa quota.
Want to be 100% sure before you extend the sponsorship offer? Deel has a built-in eligibility checker for all the countries where we offer visa support. We also provide an initial assessment for any foreign workers you want to hire or relocate.
2. Prepare the supporting documents
After confirming your worker’s eligibility, gather all the required paperwork. Prepare everything in advance, as you have limited time to apply for residency once you initiate the visa process. Any issues with documents later on could force you to restart the entire application and cause major delays.
Collecting paperwork can be challenging, especially when you’re managing a distributed workforce.
Deel Immigration streamlines the process via our centralized platform. We onboard your worker onto our system and specify all the documents they need to upload. Any other members of your department can add paperwork like contracts or job letters the same way.
Here are the supporting documents you’ll need throughout the Standard Work Visa process:
- A travel document with at least six months validity and two spare pages
- A colored copy of the travel document
- A digital passport-sized photo on a white background
- A copy of the employment contract
- Legalized academic certificates
- A financial guarantor document
- Proof of temporary travel insurance
UAE Immigration requires you to translate any documentation into Arabic and legalize it to confirm its validity. You must use services provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the country or by their embassies and consulates abroad. Immigration officials won’t accept any other methods.
Legalization can take up to 2 months if you’re applying from outside the UAE. Avoid delays by having Deel’s immigration experts collect the paperwork and arrange attestation. You can monitor progress and see when you’re ready to take your next steps via our centralized dashboard.
3. Obtain an entry visa
Before your workers can apply for a Standard Work Visa, you need to help them secure an entry visa. This document allows them to travel to the UAE and finalize their residence permit.
Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are exempt. All they must do is present a valid government ID when they arrive in the UAE. This includes workers from the following countries:
- Saudi Arabia
- Bahrain
- Oman
- Qatar
- Kuwait
You can use the UAE immigration portal to apply for the entry visa. If you haven’t already, you’ll need to create an account with your business details. Afterward, you can use the same account for all future visa and residence applications.
Attach the supporting documents to your application and pay the 1350 AED ($370) visa fees. You should receive the document within 48 hours of submission. Arrange for your worker to travel to the UAE within 59 days of receiving the visa or you’ll have to restart the process.
Want more time to focus on welcoming your employees to the UAE? Deel can create a portal account in your name and handle the submission process on your behalf. We can update you via the system to let you know when the entry visa is ready.
If you want to take a more direct approach for certain workers, you’re free to log into the system yourself at any time.
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4. Arrange a medical examination
All visa applicants and their dependents need a certificate of good health from an accredited center. Book an appointment at a hospital where they can get all the necessary scans and blood tests for communicable diseases.
Download the forms from the Emirates Health Service (EHS) website and pay 260 AED ($70) in fees. If the tests are clear, the center sends the results directly to the Emirati immigration officials within two days.
5. Apply for an Emirates ID
Your final step before filing for residency is collecting the Emirati ID card. The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) will automatically send you an application form within one to three days of the medical appointment.
The ID application costs 180 AED ($50) but you can expedite it for an extra 150 AED ($40).
Applicants must visit an accredited testing center for a biometric appointment within 15 days of the form being issued. As this data will be stored in the system, they can use the website portal for potential renewals.
By this point, you can enroll your workers in company benefits. Ensure you’ve added them to a health plan before their temporary insurance lapses. The UAE requires all residents to have medical coverage and some emirates expect employers to provide it.
Concerned about whether you’re offering UAE-based employees the right coverage? Deel can help you source competitive local benefits plans, including health insurance and workers’ compensation.
You can also use Deel’s Benefits Tool to explore all the required and popular packages in the UAE.
6. File for residency
Now you’re ready to apply for the residence permit on the UAE government portal. Upload any supporting documents and pay the fees of up to 750 AED ($205).
UAE immigration takes up to 48 hours to process applications. If your worker is approved, they’ll receive an Emirates ID card within two weeks. Unsuccessful applicants can appeal to immigration officials and explain why the decision was unjust.
With the ID card, you can help your employee set up a UAE bank account, driver's license, school enrolment, and more.
Looking for an all-in-solution to manage your global workforce? Deel has consolidated HR, global payroll, and immigration features.
Once your worker has the Standard Work Visa, they can upload it onto the Deel platform. Our mobility specialists can verify it and ensure it's securely stored. You can track the visa expiration dates for your entire team and receive alerts when you need to renew.
New foreign employees can move straight to the onboarding phase and get added to your global payroll. Deel ensures all payments comply with the relevant labor laws and visa conditions.
Partner with Deel for a smooth visa process
There’s no need to undergo challenging visa applications alone. International teams can use Deel’s team of legal and immigration experts to manage the neverending paperwork, interviews, and checks.
Deel’s global HR platform helps you manage an international team by enabling you to:
- Check visa eligibility before you hire or relocate foreign talent
- Run extensive background checks
- Monitor all your immigration activities and costs via the dashboard
- Track visa expiry dates and get reminded about renewals
- Create employment contracts that adhere to local laws and standards
- Arrange equipment and flexible working spaces for remote teams
- Run global payroll
- Administer competitive global benefits
- Outsource visa sponsorship to Deel EOR for a totally hands-off approach
Think we fit your visa needs? Explore our immigration services or book a call to see how Deel can support you.
Disclaimer: Our article isn’t intended as a substitute for legal advice. Please consult with a legal expert or professional service before making any visa decisions.
About the author
Jemima is a nomadic writer, journalist, and digital marketer with a decade of experience crafting compelling B2B content for a global audience. She is a strong advocate for equal opportunities and is dedicated to shaping the future of work. At Deel, she specializes in thought-leadership content covering global mobility, cross-border compliance, and workplace culture topics.