As Dubai continues to attract global talent and business investment, companies operating in the UAE often need to sponsor foreign employees to work legally in the country. Sponsoring employees for a work visa is a legal requirement and part of a regulated immigration and labor system designed to protect both employer and employee.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through each step involved in sponsoring a work visa in Dubai — whether you’re a startup founder, HR manager, or business owner.
🧾 Understanding the Basics
A UAE work visa (also called a residence visa for employment) allows foreign nationals to live and work in Dubai legally. Sponsorship is typically done by a registered UAE-based company.
Depending on where your company is registered, the process may go through:
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MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation) — for mainland companies
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The relevant Free Zone Authority — for Free Zone entities
✅ Step-by-Step Process to Sponsor an Employee in Dubai
Step 1: Ensure You Have a Valid Trade License
Before you can sponsor anyone:
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Your business must be legally licensed by the Department of Economic Development (DED) or a Free Zone.
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The license activity should match the role you’re hiring for (e.g., a tech company can’t sponsor a chef).
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Your company should be registered with MOHRE, if operating in the mainland.
Step 2: Apply for Establishment Card (if not already issued)
The Establishment or Immigration Card is required to interact with immigration systems and issue visas.
You’ll need:
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Trade license copy
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Tenancy contract
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Emirates ID of company owner
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Passport copy of company owner
Step 3: Apply for Labor Quota Approval
This step involves requesting approval for the number and nationalities of employees you intend to hire.
For Mainland:
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Done via MOHRE
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You may need to justify the need based on your business activity and current staff count
For Free Zone:
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Submit to the respective Free Zone Authority
💡 Tip: Some nationalities may be restricted based on bilateral labor agreements.
Step 4: Submit the Job Offer and Apply for a Work Permit
Once the quota is approved:
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Issue an offer letter (in Arabic and English)
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Apply for a work permit (also called “initial approval”)
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Duration: Valid for 60 days to enter the UAE
Documents needed:
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Copy of the passport
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Passport-size photo (white background)
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Academic certificates (attested)
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Labor contract / offer letter
Step 5: Entry Permit (If the Employee is Outside UAE)
Also known as a Pink Visa, this is an Entry Permit allowing the employee to legally enter UAE.
Options:
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Send the entry permit to the employee abroad
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Or if the person is already in UAE, apply for status change
Step 6: Medical Test and Emirates ID Registration
Once the employee arrives in Dubai:
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Take them for a mandatory medical fitness test (blood test and chest X-ray)
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Apply for Emirates ID (includes fingerprinting and biometrics)
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Arrange for mandatory health insurance (a visa will not be issued without this)
Step 7: Visa Stamping (Residence Permit)
After medical and Emirates ID processes:
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Submit documents to General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)
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The employee’s passport will be stamped with the residence visa (valid for 2 years for private sector)
📋 Documents Checklist (For Each Employee)
| Required Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport copy | Minimum 6-month validity |
| Passport-size photo | White background |
| Job offer letter | Must match trade license activity |
| Academic certificates | Attested by UAE embassy and MOFA |
| Valid Entry Permit | For those coming from outside UAE |
| Medical test report | From authorized health center |
| Emirates ID application | Fingerprinting is required |
| Health insurance policy | Must be issued before visa stamping |
💼 Costs Involved (Approximate)
| Item | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Entry Permit | 500 – 1,000 |
| Medical Test | 300 – 700 |
| Emirates ID | 200 – 400 |
| Visa Stamping | 500 – 1,000 |
| Health Insurance | 600 – 2,000+ |
| Labor Quota & Admin Fees | Varies by Free Zone or MOHRE |
🧾 Total estimated cost per employee: AED 3,000 – 6,000+
⚖️ Legal Obligations for Employers
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Maintain up-to-date visa and labor records
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Cancel visas when employees leave or resign
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Ensure timely renewals before expiry
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Comply with gratuity, labor laws, and end-of-service benefits
🚀 Final Thoughts
Sponsoring employees for work visas in Dubai is a structured yet flexible process, and getting it right ensures your business can operate smoothly and legally. Whether you’re scaling a startup or hiring a full team, it’s crucial to stay compliant.
If you’d like a professional to manage the entire process end-to-end, our team can help you save time, reduce risk, and ensure full compliance with UAE laws.
🙋 Need Help?
Book a Free Consultation with our Dubai business setup experts today or WhatsApp us at +971554884712. .
We’ll guide you through the process and handle everything — so you can focus on growing your business.
