How to Get a Visa and Work Permit in the United Arab Emirates (2025)

Navigating the UAE’s vibrant business landscape offers tremendous opportunities for global companies and professionals alike. Its strategic position as a hub for commerce, innovation, and tourism makes accessing Emirati talent or market entry incredibly attractive for 2025 and beyond.

However, securing a UAE visa and work permit can often feel complex—document legalization, sponsorship requirements, and emirate-specific rules can slow progress and increase the risk of noncompliance. These blockers make what should be a straightforward hiring decision into a drawn-out challenge, delaying growth and adding avoidable costs.

Deel Immigration simplifies this journey by handling the entire visa application process—from eligibility checks and document attestation to government submission and ongoing compliance. With Deel’s local expertise and technology, employers and candidates sidestep red tape and speed up approvals.

The result? Businesses can instantly tap into the UAE’s dynamic workforce without costly local setups, while talent enjoys a smooth path to live and work in the Emirates legally. With Deel, 2025 is the year to unlock effortless UAE hiring and expansion.

How easy is it to get a work visa in the United Arab Emirates?

Obtaining a work permit in the UAE is not very challenging for foreign nationals. However, applicants must meet documentation requirements, including legalization or attestation of their official documents when submitting their visa/permit application. Any documents required for visa and permit applications must be legalized through an official stamp to be officially recognized for use in the UAE. This is the part of the process that can take the longest.

Are there different types of entry visas and work permits in the United Arab Emirates?

The main types of entry visas and work permits in the UAE include:

• Standard Work/Residence Permit: The most common employment visa in the UAE. It is issued to foreign nationals who have secured a job with a UAE-based employer. The employer sponsors the visa, and it allows the individual to live and work legally in the UAE, usually for 2-3 years, with the possibility of renewal
• Golden Visa: A long-term residency visa (5 or 10 years) granted to investors, entrepreneurs, specialized talents, researchers, and outstanding students. It allows holders to live, work, and study in the UAE without needing a national sponsor and with 100% ownership of their businesses on the UAE mainland
• Dependent Visa: Allows the immediate family members (spouse, children, sometimes parents) of a UAE resident or citizen to reside in the country. The primary visa holder (the sponsor) must meet certain income and accommodation requirements to sponsor dependents
• Temporary Work Permit (TWP): Allows individuals to work in the UAE for a short, fixed period—typically up to 6 months. It is often used for project-based work, internships, probation periods, or seasonal jobs. The permit is employer-sponsored
• Remote Visa/Virtual Working Permit: Allows foreign professionals to live in the UAE while working remotely for an overseas employer. The Remote Work Visa (often called the Virtual Working Program) is valid for one year and is aimed at digital nomads, freelancers, and remote employees
• Freelance Visa: Enables individuals to legally work as independent contractors or freelancers in specific sectors (e.g., media, technology, education) in the UAE. It is typically issued in conjunction with a freelance permit from a free zone authority, allowing flexibility to work for multiple clients

See also: Digital Nomad Visas for Remote Work: The Complete 2025 List

United Arab Emirates visa and work‑permit eligibility requirements for candidates

Candidates require a valid passport with at least six months' validity, educational qualifications or professional experience as per the job role, and a minimum monthly salary typically ranging from AED 4,000 to AED 10,000, depending on the emirate and sector.

For fast, expert visa eligibility assessments and detailed cost breakdowns including visa fees, Deel delivers results within 48 hours—helping you and your candidates avoid wasted effort and focus on viable options.

See also: Business Travel Visas: Guide to Fast, Compliant Employee Travel

United Arab Emirates visa and work‑permit sponsorship criteria for employers

Employers must have a locally registered entity and meet capital or licensing requirements to sponsor foreign workers, ensuring compliance with immigration regulations. The sponsoring company must hold a valid trade license in the relevant emirate or free zone, meet minimum capital requirements based on business activity, and often designate a local sponsor or partner unless operating in a free zone. Additional requirements may include a quota on foreign hires and proof of active business operations.

Using an Employer of Record (EOR) like Deel allows companies to bypass the need for their own local entity while remaining fully compliant with UAE labor and immigration laws. The EOR becomes the legal sponsor, handling all employer duties such as visa sponsorship, onboarding, payroll, and statutory benefits. This means businesses can hire talent in the UAE quickly, without having to establish a costly branch or subsidiary.

Deel Immigration, as a G2-leading Employer of Record in over 150 countries, can sponsor employees under more than 200 permit categories across 40+ countries—including all major UAE visas. Deel’s platform supports fast, high-volume case processing, transparent pricing including visa fees, and full compliance monitoring. As your partner, Deel ensures you meet every employer requirement while streamlining access to the UAE’s dynamic workforce.

See also: Easy Visa Sponsorship for Exploring New International Markets

United Arab Emirates work‑permit application process

Follow this five-step roadmap to secure a UAE work permit efficiently and compliantly.

Step one: Prepare and legalize all required official documents

Start by gathering and attesting all required documents, such as educational certificates, employment contracts, and proof of qualifications in accordance with UAE standards. Document attestation/legalization is often the most time-intensive stage, requiring stamps from both the applicant’s home country and UAE authorities. Deel’s platform can guide you through uploading, tracking, and verifying these documents to speed up this crucial step.

Step two: Submit the visa application through the relevant immigration authority

Once documents are ready, submit the visa application process via the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) if hiring in Dubai. The employer or EOR sponsor initiates the process, uploading all documents and paying the relevant government visa fees. Deel automates much of this admin, reducing manual errors and ensuring all compliance boxes are ticked.

Tip: Double-check emirate-specific requirements before submission, as rules can differ between jurisdictions.

Step three: Undergo medical testing and apply for an Emirates ID registration

After initial approval, the applicant must complete a mandatory medical exam (typically including blood tests and chest X-ray) at an approved medical center. Simultaneously, biometric data is captured to apply for an Emirates ID, a key identity document in the UAE. Deel’s local experts can help schedule and coordinate these appointments for smoother onboarding.

Tip: Schedule your medical and Emirates ID appointments as soon as you receive your entry permit to avoid bottlenecks.

Step four: Receive visa approval and entry permit

Upon passing the health and security checks, the relevant authorities issue your visa approval and entry permit. This enables the applicant to enter the UAE or, if already present, adjust their residency status. Deel’s real-time visa tracker keeps you informed at every stage, minimizing anxiety and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

Tip: Print and carry a hard copy of your entry permit for airline check-in and border control.

Step five: Complete final residency visa stamping and obtain work permit

The last step is obtaining the official residency visa stamp in the passport and issuance of the labor card (work permit). This is typically handled at an immigration office or typing center, with Deel able to coordinate appointments and provide checklists for required documents. Once stamped, the employee is legally cleared to begin work.

Tip: Keep your residency visa and Emirates ID with you at all times, as they are required for most official transactions in the UAE.

See also: Application Guide for Enterprise Employee Visas\

What is the cost of a visa and work permit in the United Arab Emirates?

Government visa fees for visas and work permits range from AED 2,000 to AED 7,000 (USD 545 to USD 1,905) depending on the visa category and duration, with additional costs for documentation and processing. The total cost depends on the type of permit, the applicant’s nationality, whether dependents are included, and whether the application is lodged inside or outside the country.

Deel provides transparent, flat pricing on all UAE immigration and sponsorship services, with no hidden fees. You’ll receive a detailed, upfront breakdown to make budgeting for talent mobility in the UAE easy and predictable.

See also: Self-Verify Global Employee Visa Eligibility in Minutes

Is Deel Immigration the best choice for hiring in the United Arab Emirates?

Deel Immigration stands out as the premier solution for navigating the UAE’s complex visa and work-permit landscape. With its deep expertise and technology-driven platform, Deel simplifies every step of the immigration process, ensuring fast, compliant, and hassle-free hiring.

• End-to-end immigration management covering all UAE visa categories, including Employment, Golden, Freelance, and Remote Work Visas
• Fast, free visa eligibility assessments delivered within 48 hours to identify the best permit options
• Personalized expert support from local UAE immigration specialists to guide you through attestation, submission, and approvals
• Real-time application tracking and automated renewal reminders to keep every case on schedule
• Relocation discounts and dependent visa support to ease your employees’ transition and family integration

With Deel Immigration as your partner, you can confidently tap into the UAE’s dynamic talent pool while fully complying with local sponsorship and licensing rules.

Hire employees in the United Arab Emirates faster with Deel Immigration

Hiring talent in the UAE has never been easier thanks to Deel’s comprehensive immigration services. From managing document legalization to submitting visa applications, Deel handles it all with precision and speed—helping you onboard employees swiftly and compliantly. Our end-to-end immigration management ensures no detail is overlooked, so your hires can start working without delay.

Take advantage of Deel’s personalized expert support to navigate the nuances of UAE’s emirate-specific regulations and visa categories. Whether you’re hiring for a standard work visa, a freelance permit, or the Golden Visa, Deel’s specialists tailor the process to your needs, reducing costly errors and accelerating approvals. Book your free consultation today to discover how Deel Immigration can transform your UAE hiring journey.