Work permit (MOHRE) and residence visa for private sector employees
Private sector employers in mainland UAE get a MOHRE work permit for a foreign worker, and the worker then gets a residence permit through ICP or GDRFA Dubai. The employer applies and sponsors. The standard work visa lasts two years and can be renewed.
1 entry rule for United Arab Emirates based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 9 months and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in United Arab Emirates
Money
3
Currency
United Arab Emirates Dirham
AED
United Arab Emirates Dirham
Cost of living
69
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Living
1
Happiness
#19 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Working in your field Members
Whether you need a licence or registration to work in your field here
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals with a job offer from a UAE private sector establishment registered with MOHRE.
Eligibility
Employer sponsorship
The employer must apply for the work visa. You can't apply on your own.
Licensed establishment with quota
Your employer must be registered with MOHRE and have work permit quota available.
- Fees depend on the establishment's MOHRE category (1, 2 or 3)
Official wording
The employer must be an establishment registered with MOHRE and have work permit quota available. Fees depend on the establishment's MOHRE category (1, 2 or 3).
Job offer and contract
You need a job offer and an employment contract registered through MOHRE. An attested labour contract is listed among GDRFA residence requirements.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementMinimum age
- Document checklistPassport copy
- FeesMOHRE work permit application fee
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 4 more requirements
- 7 documents
- 10 fees
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in United Arab Emirates
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- MOHRE – Issuance of a New Work Permit – Overseas
- MOHRE – New classification of private companies comes into force (2022)
- GDRFA Dubai – Issuing residence permits for the private sector
- MOFA – Executive Regulations on Entry and Residence of Foreigners (2022)
- UAE Legislation – Cabinet Resolution of 2022 on Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021 (Article 7, work permit conditions)
- MOHRE – Branch of a recruitment, temporary employment and mediation agency (licensing)
Other routes to United Arab Emirates
- Visit & tourismTourist visit visa (entry permit for tourism), sponsored by a licensed tourism establishment
- Permanent residenceGolden Residence (10-year) – Skilled Professionals category
- Investors & entrepreneursVirtual Work Residence
Work permits in other countries
- AfghanistanEntry visa (invitation by licensed company or institution) and residence visa
- Antigua & BarbudaAntigua and Barbuda Work Permit
- AnguillaAnguilla work permit
- AlbaniaUnique permit as an employee
- ArmeniaArmenia employment-based temporary residence status (work permit via workpermit.am), with changes to the Law 'On Foreigners' in force from 1 November 2026
- AngolaWork visa (Visto de Trabalho) under Law 13/19
