Visa Application & Processing Workflow
Employment Visa Process
Step 1: Obtain Labor Approval (Work Permit)
Submit work permit application to MoHRE. Provide: Company trade license, Establishment Card copy, employee passport copy, employee photo, employment contract (offer letter), educational certificates (attested if required), company signature card. MoHRE issues work permit (also called labor approval). Processing time: 5-15 business days.
Step 2: Entry Permit Application
Submit entry permit application to GDRFA (Dubai) or ICP (federal). Provide: Work permit from MoHRE, company documents, employee passport copy. Pay entry permit fees. Processing time: 3-7 business days. Entry permit is valid for 60 days.
Step 3: Status Change (if in-country)
If employee is already in the UAE on a visit/tourist visa, apply for status change. Process through GDRFA/ICP. Employee must not exit the country. Fees apply. Processing time: 5-10 business days.
Step 4: Medical Fitness Test
Employee undergoes medical fitness test at an approved medical center. Blood test (HIV, Hepatitis B & C, Syphilis, Tuberculosis). Chest X-ray. Processing time: 2-4 business days. Medical certificate issued if fit.
Step 5: Emirates ID Application
Apply for Emirates ID at ICP-approved typing center. Provide: Passport copy, entry permit, medical certificate, employment contract. Biometric data collected (fingerprints, photo). Processing time: 7-14 business days. Emirates ID valid for 2 years.
**Step 6: Visa Stamping (Residency Visa)
Submit passport for visa stamping to GDRFA/ICP. Provide: Emirates ID application proof, medical certificate, employment contract, work permit. Visa stamped in passport or issued as e-visa. Processing time: 5-10 business days. Residency visa valid for 2 years.
Investor/Partner Visa Process
Step 1: Obtain Trade License and MOA. Establish company or become partner in existing company. Obtain notarized MOA. Process establishment card.
Step 2: Apply for Investor Entry Permit. Submit to GDRFA/ICP. Provide trade license, MOA, passport copy. Entry permit issued.
Step 3: Medical and Emirates ID. Same as employment visa process.
Step 4: Visa Stamping. Submit for residency visa stamping. Valid for 2 years.
Family Visa Process
Step 1: Confirm Sponsor Eligibility. Sponsor must have valid residency. Minimum salary: AED 4,000 (basic) or AED 3,500 + accommodation. Must have suitable accommodation.
Step 2: Apply for Entry Permit. Submit to GDRFA/ICP. Provide: Sponsor passport and visa copy, trade license (if investor), salary certificate, tenancy contract (Ejari), relationship proof (marriage/birth certificate, attested).
Step 3: Medical and Emirates ID. Family members undergo medical test (if above 18). Emirates ID application.
Step 4: Visa Stamping. Residency visa stamped. Valid for 1-2 years depending on sponsor's visa.
Visa Processing Channels
Typing Centers: Authorized typing centers handle application submission. AMER centers (Dubai). ICP-approved centers (federal). Most applications processed through these centers.
Online Portals: GDRFA online portal (Dubai). ICP online portal (federal). DubaiNow app. UAE PASS for authentication. Some transactions fully online.
Amer Centers: GDRFA-authorized service centers in Dubai. Handle all GDRFA transactions. Provide typing and processing services. Located across Dubai.
Processing Times and Fees
Work permit: 5-15 business days, AED 100-300. Entry permit: 3-7 business days, AED 220-1,200. Status change: 5-10 business days, AED 550-1,100. Medical test: 2-4 business days, AED 320-700. Emirates ID: 7-14 business days, AED 270 (application) + AED 70 (typing). Visa stamping: 5-10 business days, AED 400-1,100. Total employment visa: AED 3,500-7,500.