Getting a Standard Work Visa (Residence Visa) in the UAE

Researched from official sources ยท May 11, 2026

Getting a Standard Work Visa (Residence Visa) in the UAE

Estimated time

Standard work visa: 5-15 working days from MOHRE work permit approval to residence visa stamp, plus medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometric capture; 60-day window from UAE entry to complete the residence procedure.

Cost

ุฏ.ุฅ400+ for the ICP residence-permit fees (employer pays); plus MOHRE work-permit fees of ุฏ.ุฅ250-3,450 (employer pays); medical fitness test typically ุฏ.ุฅ250-700 (worker bears or employer reimburses)

What You Need

Tap to check off items as you gather them

Additional Items

  • Employment contract issued by MOHRE โ€” covers the employer-employee relationship under the Labour Relations Law.
  • Work permit from MOHRE โ€” issued separately as part of the work-permit application; see the MOHRE work permit guide.
  • Photograph compliant with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard โ€” captured at the ICP Customer Happiness Centre or uploaded via the ICP Smart App.
  • Proof of UAE address โ€” utility bill, Ejari (Dubai) tenancy contract, or accommodation letter from the employer.
Last checked 1 month ago

Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Your Employer Initiates the Work Visa Application

    1. Employer obtains a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) โ€” see the MOHRE work permit guide.
    2. Employer applies for an entry permit on your behalf via ICP Smart Services (or GDRFA Dubai for Dubai-employer-sponsored visas).
    3. Employer purchases a mandatory health insurance policy (federal mandate since 1 January 2025).

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: You do not apply for the standard work visa yourself. Your employer initiates these steps, and your role is to provide the documents the employer requests and to attend the in-person steps in the UAE.

  2. 2

    Enter the UAE on the Entry Permit

    1. Travel to the UAE on the entry permit your employer obtained. The entry permit is typically valid for 60 days.
    2. Your 60-day window to complete the residence-visa procedure starts on the date you enter the UAE.
    3. Plan to complete the medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometric capture, and ICP residence-permit application within these 60 days.

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: The medical fitness test queue can take 1-2 weeks at peak times in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Book the medical appointment in your first week to avoid running up against the 60-day deadline.

    u.ae โ€” Standard work visa (u.ae โ†—)
  3. 3

    Complete the Medical Fitness Test

    1. Visit a DHA-licensed (Dubai) or DOH-licensed (Abu Dhabi) medical fitness centre, or an Emirates Health Services (EHS) clinic in other emirates.
    2. Provide your passport, entry permit, and the photograph of your face for the chest x-ray and blood tests.
    3. Receive the medical fitness certificate โ€” typically within 2-5 working days, depending on the centre and the queue.

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Per the 2016 Cabinet Resolution, TB screening is mandatory at first issuance and at every renewal. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi screens for TB via chest x-ray; Dubai requires TB screening at renewal.

    u.ae โ€” Health conditions for UAE residence visa (u.ae โ†—)
  4. 4

    Attend the Emirates ID Biometric Capture

    1. Book the biometric appointment via the ICP Smart Services portal with UAE Pass login (your employer typically initiates this step as part of the unified residence + Emirates ID application).
    2. Attend the appointment at any of the ten ICP Customer Happiness Centres (Khalifa, Ajman, Sharjah, Al Ghazal, Al Rashidiya, Ras Al Khaima, Al Barsha, Al Jazira, Al Ain, Fujairah).
    3. Complete fingerprint and signature capture in person โ€” required for everyone aged 15 and older.

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: The biometric capture is the only mandatory in-person step in the standard work visa procedure. Even if your employer manages the rest of the application digitally, you must attend in person for this.

  5. 5

    Receive the Residence Visa and Emirates ID

    1. Your employer submits the ICP residence-permit application, paying the AED 100 application fee, AED 100 smart-service fee, and AED 100 per year of validity (e.g. AED 200 for a 2-year visa).
    2. ICP processes the application โ€” service-completion duration is typically 5 working days for the unified residence + Emirates ID issuance.
    3. Your residence visa is stamped in your passport, and your Emirates ID is delivered through the authorised courier.

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: In all emirates except Dubai, the residence visa and Emirates ID are issued together under the unified residence + identity form. Dubai retains a separate GDRFA-driven workflow.

    ICP โ€” Issuing Residency Permit (service card) (icp.gov.ae โ†—)
  6. 6

    Maintain Residence-Visa Status

    1. Renew your residence visa before expiry โ€” your employer initiates the renewal. The standard 2-year renewal baseline cost is AED 400 (ICP fees).
    2. Avoid continuous absence from the UAE for more than 180 days, or your residence visa will be nullified automatically (exceptions apply for treatment, study, training abroad).
    3. Notify ICP within 30 days of any change to your personal or civil data โ€” phone number, address, marital status โ€” to avoid the late-reporting fine of AED 20 per day (capped at AED 1,000).

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Your Emirates ID and residence visa are linked. Renewing one without the other is not possible โ€” they renew together through the unified residence + identity form.

Local Tips from the Community

  • Your employer initiates the standard work visa application โ€” you do not apply for it yourself. As the prospective employee, your role is to provide the documents the employer requests, attend the medical fitness test, and complete the Emirates ID biometric capture.
  • Once you enter the UAE on the entry permit, you have a 60-day window to complete the residence-visa procedure (medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometric, ICP residence-permit application). If the residence is not finalised within 60 days, overstay fines apply at AED 50 per day.
  • Mandatory health insurance has been required as a residence-permit prerequisite since 1 January 2025. Your employer must purchase a policy before applying for the residence permit; see the DHA health insurance guide for context.

What Could Go Wrong

Enter UAE on entry permit: 60-day window expires without residence-issuance completion

Recovery: Pay overstay fines at AED 50 per day starting day 61, and complete the residence procedures as quickly as possible. The application can continue; fines accrue separately. If you are unable to complete the procedures, exit the UAE before the entry-permit expiry.

Attend medical fitness test: Test result is 'unfit' โ€” communicable disease detected

Recovery: Per the 2016 Cabinet Resolution, those with scars or active TB or drug-resistant TB receive a conditional fitness certificate and a one-year residence visa, with mandatory treatment in the UAE. Other communicable diseases (HIV, hepatitis B for specific worker categories, syphilis) typically lead to refusal of residence.

Submit residence application: Your MOHRE work permit has not been issued yet

Recovery: The MOHRE work permit is a prerequisite for the ICP residence-permit application. Confirm with your employer that the work permit has been issued; track via the MOHRE portal. Until the work permit is in hand, the residence-permit application cannot proceed.

Renew residence visa: Expired passport not yet renewed; renewal blocked

Recovery: Per ICP terms, renewal of an expired passport is required prior to applying for residence-visa renewal. Renew your passport via your country's consulate in the UAE, then submit the residence-permit renewal.

Stay outside UAE for >180 days: Residence visa is nullified automatically; cannot re-enter on the old visa

Recovery: Apply for a permit to enter the UAE via ICP service-card (Issuance of a Permit to Stay Outside the Country for More Than 6 Months). Apply from outside the UAE; provide valid reason (treatment, study, work abroad).

Costs

Item Amount Payment Notes
Residence-permit application fee (ICP) ุฏ.ุฅ100 Per residence-permit issuance application Per the ICP Issuing Residency Permit service card. Standard work-visa baseline.
Renewal fee per year of residence ุฏ.ุฅ100 Multiplied by visa validity in years Standard 2-year work visa = AED 200 for the renewal-fee component.
Smart Service fee (ICP digital channel) ุฏ.ุฅ100 Additive for online submissions via ICP Smart Services Most residence-permit applications are submitted digitally; the smart-service fee applies.
Overstay fine (after entry-permit grace period) ุฏ.ุฅ50 Per day, starting day after grace-period end Standardised across visit, tourist, and residence visa categories per ICP updated rules.
MOHRE work-permit fees (employer pays) ุฏ.ุฅ250 Range AED 250-3,450 by classification โ€” see MOHRE work permit guide MOHRE classifies work permits by skill level and worker category; fees vary accordingly. Quoted minimum is representative.
Residence-permit application fee (ICP) ุฏ.ุฅ100
Payment:
Per residence-permit issuance application
Notes:
Per the ICP Issuing Residency Permit service card. Standard work-visa baseline.
Renewal fee per year of residence ุฏ.ุฅ100
Payment:
Multiplied by visa validity in years
Notes:
Standard 2-year work visa = AED 200 for the renewal-fee component.
Smart Service fee (ICP digital channel) ุฏ.ุฅ100
Payment:
Additive for online submissions via ICP Smart Services
Notes:
Most residence-permit applications are submitted digitally; the smart-service fee applies.
Overstay fine (after entry-permit grace period) ุฏ.ุฅ50
Payment:
Per day, starting day after grace-period end
Notes:
Standardised across visit, tourist, and residence visa categories per ICP updated rules.
MOHRE work-permit fees (employer pays) ุฏ.ุฅ250
Payment:
Range AED 250-3,450 by classification โ€” see MOHRE work permit guide
Notes:
MOHRE classifies work permits by skill level and worker category; fees vary accordingly. Quoted minimum is representative.
Total: ุฏ.ุฅ600

FAQ

Documents

How long is a standard work visa valid?

2 years, renewable. The validity is set by the visa-issuing authority (ICP federally, GDRFA for Dubai-issued visas) and aligns with the duration of your MOHRE work permit.

Do I need health insurance for my residence visa?

Yes โ€” since 1 January 2025, employer-purchased health insurance is a federal prerequisite for issuance or renewal of private-sector residency permits. The mandate is active in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and is extending to the other emirates. The basic-package premium is AED 320 per year per insured. See the DHA health insurance guide for context.

What happens if I lose my job while on a work visa?

Your residence visa is tied to your employment with the sponsoring entity. If the employer cancels your labour contract through MOHRE and your residence visa through ICP, you have a 30-day grace period (standard worker category) to remain in the UAE โ€” most commonly used to transfer sponsorship to a new employer (with MOHRE approval) or to depart. Skilled workers in levels 1-3 receive 90 days; certain categories receive 180 days.

Does it matter which emirate my employer is in?

Yes. Dubai-employer-sponsored visas are processed through GDRFA Dubai (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs); other emirates route through ICP federally. The cancellation, renewal, and exception-handling procedures differ based on which authority issued your visa.

Costs

What's the renewal cost for a standard work visa?

Baseline AED 400 for the ICP residence-permit renewal: AED 100 application fee + AED 200 for 2 years of renewal fee + AED 100 smart-service fee. MOHRE work-permit renewal fees apply separately and depend on classification.

After This Process

  • โ†’ Emirates ID โ€” issued together with your residence visa; see the Emirates ID guide for the biometric appointment and 24-hour urgent service.
  • โ†’ Mandatory health insurance โ€” federal prerequisite since 1 January 2025; see the DHA health insurance guide.
  • โ†’ MOHRE work permit โ€” prerequisite for the standard work visa application; see the MOHRE work permit guide.
  • โ†’ Bank account โ€” opens up once you have your Emirates ID; see the UAE bank-account guide.

Sources

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5 sources cited last accessed 2026-05-11

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  1. T1
    Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security 2026-05-11

    ICP's Issuing Residency Permit service card documents the canonical residence-permit procedure, eligibility per category (employment via government / private / free-zone entities is the standard worker route), the 60-day window from UAE entry to complete residence procedures, the AED 50 per day overstay fine, the AED 100 application fee plus AED 100 per year of validity, and the requirement of a medical fitness test with 'fit' result. It is the authoritative federal-portal page for the residence-permit procedure.

    icp.gov.ae
  2. T1
    Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security 2026-05-11

    ICP's Renewal of residency permits service card documents the renewal fee schedule (AED 100 application + AED 100 per year of validity + AED 100 smart-service), the grace-period tiers (180 days for Golden/Green/Blue; 90 days for skilled workers levels 1-3; 60 days for guarantor-issued permits; 30 days for all other categories โ€” including the standard worker), the requirement of valid health insurance, and the documents required per category (passport, photo, medical report, employment contract, MOHRE work permit, WPS proof).

    icp.gov.ae
  3. T1
    Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security 2026-05-11

    ICP's Cancellation of residency permits service card documents the cancellation procedure (employer applies to MOHRE for labour-contract cancellation, then to ICP for residence-visa cancellation; family-dependent permits must be cancelled first), the AED 50 application fee, AED 100 smart-service fee, and the special-case AED 5,000 guarantee fee for cancelling a sponsor's residence permit while retaining family permits.

    icp.gov.ae
  4. T1
    u.ae โ€” UAE Government Portal 2026-05-11

    The u.ae aggregator page for the residence visa for working in the UAE confirms the standard work visa is valid for 2 years and renewable subject to terms set by the visa-issuing authorities, and that the employer must apply for the standard work visa. Other categories โ€” Green visa, Golden, Blue โ€” are documented separately.

    u.ae
  5. T1
    u.ae โ€” UAE Government Portal 2026-05-11

    The u.ae general-provisions page documents the validity tiers (1-3 years sponsored; 5-10 years unsponsored), the 180-day rule (residence visa nullified automatically if outside UAE for more than 180 days continuously, with several exceptions for treatment/study/training), the renewal procedure with the standardised AED 50 per day overstay fine post-2016 Cabinet Resolution, and the cancellation procedure (only the sponsor can cancel; employer must approach MOHRE first; two channels โ€” registered typing centre or online via ICP).

    u.ae
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