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Dubai work visa
Dubai work visa: employment visa, cost, and process
A Dubai work visa lets Indian professionals live and work in the UAE under an employer’s sponsorship. It combines a MOHRE work permit, an entry permit, a medical test, an Emirates ID, and a residence visa. A standard two-year visa costs about AED 3,000 to AED 7,000, paid by the employer.
✓ Salary is income tax-free
✓ Golden and Green Visa options
Data current as of June 2026
Quick facts for the Dubai work visa
Use these key numbers as a starting point. UAE rules and fees are set by federal and Dubai authorities and can change. The figure you need depends on your route and your employer. Always confirm the figure for your own case before you rely on it.
What the Dubai work visa is
The Dubai work visa is an employer-sponsored UAE residence visa that lets a foreign national legally live and work in Dubai. It is not a single document. It is a set of approvals that together grant the right to work and reside, from the MOHRE work permit to the residence visa and Emirates ID.
The process runs through two main regulators. MOHRE handles the labour contract and work permit for mainland companies, while the free zone authority does this for free zone companies. GDRFA in Dubai, and ICP at the federal level, issue the entry permit and the residence visa.
For longer-term residence without an employer sponsor, the UAE also offers the five-year Green Visa and the ten-year Golden Visa. Which route fits depends on your salary, your role, and your goals. We assess this for you before you start.
Not sure which Dubai route fits your profile?
Get a clear eligibility check on the employment visa, Green Visa, and Golden Visa before you commit time to an application.
Dubai work visa routes compared
The UAE offers more than one way to live and work in Dubai. The right route depends on whether you have an employer sponsor and on your salary or investment. The table below sets out the main options for 2026.
| Route | Validity | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Employment visa | 2 years, renewable | Employees with a UAE job offer and employer sponsor |
| Green Visa | 5 years, self-sponsored | Skilled employees from AED 15,000 per month, and freelancers |
| Golden Visa | 10 years, self-sponsored | Professionals from AED 30,000 basic, investors, top talent |
Source: UAE ICP and GDRFA Dubai, 2026. Salary and investment thresholds are set by the authorities and can change.
The employment visa is the standard route for a new job in Dubai. The Green and Golden Visas suit those who want long-term residence without being tied to one employer. We confirm which route gives you the strongest position.
Want to know if you qualify for a Golden Visa?
We check your salary, role, and profile against the Green and Golden Visa criteria and prepare your file for the right route.
Dubai work visa salary and cost thresholds
The standard employment visa has no fixed salary threshold beyond your contract, but the long-term Green and Golden Visas do. The figures below apply for 2026 and are a useful guide. Confirm the exact figure for your case before you rely on it.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Employment visa cost, 2 years | AED 3,000 to AED 7,000 | Paid by the employer, varies by category |
| Green Visa, skilled employee | From AED 15,000 per month | Plus a bachelor’s degree |
| Green Visa, freelancer | From AED 360,000 per year | With a UAE freelance permit |
| Golden Visa, skilled professional | From AED 30,000 basic per month | Basic salary only, allowances excluded |
| Golden Visa, property investor | From AED 2,000,000 | No upfront payment rule since February 2026 |
Source: UAE ICP, GDRFA Dubai, and Fragomen 2026 guidance. The Golden Visa professional route counts basic salary only since January 2025. Confirm the current figure before relying on it.
A major attraction of Dubai is that salaries are not subject to personal income tax. Combined with employer-paid visa costs, this makes the package strong for Indian professionals. We help you understand the full picture, while noting that we offer guidance and not tax advice.
Who is eligible for the Dubai work visa
Eligibility for the standard employment visa is built around the employer, the role, and basic requirements. You can usually qualify when these core points are met.
- You have a job offer from a UAE-licensed employer willing to sponsor you.
- You are at least 18 years old and hold a valid passport.
- You can pass the mandatory medical fitness test.
- For Category 1 skilled roles, your degree is attested.
- Your employer has an available labour quota for your role.
For the Green and Golden Visas, the criteria shift to salary, investment, or recognised talent, and no employer sponsor is needed. The right route makes a real difference. We assess all of this for you before you start.
How the Dubai work visa process works
The UAE employer leads the process. Your role is to provide a complete, accurate file and to complete the in-country steps after arrival. The flow below shows the usual path for an Indian applicant on an employment visa.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Job offer and work permit | Your employer registers the offer and gets MOHRE work permit approval. |
| 2. Entry permit | GDRFA or ICP issues an entry permit, valid 60 days, to enter the UAE. |
| 3. Contract and medical | You sign the contract and complete the medical fitness test. |
| 4. Biometrics | You give biometrics for your Emirates ID at an ICP centre. |
| 5. Health insurance | Your employer arranges mandatory health insurance. |
| 6. Residence visa | Your residence visa is stamped and your Emirates ID is issued. |
Most steps are now processed digitally through MOHRE and GDRFA smart services, and AI automation has shortened timelines in 2026. We help your employer move the file through each stage and prepare you for the in-country steps.
Want your file checked before it is submitted?
A complete file with attested documents is the best way to avoid avoidable delays. We review every document with you first.
Dubai work visa fees and processing time
For the standard employment visa, the UAE employer pays the government fees by law. The main costs cover the work permit, entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, and residence stamping. Processing times are estimates and depend on a complete file and the company quota.
| Item | Amount or time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Employment visa package, 2 years | AED 3,000 to AED 7,000 | Employer-paid, varies by category and setup |
| Entry permit | Around AED 200 to AED 500 | Valid 60 days to enter the UAE |
| MOHRE work permit approval | Around 2 to 5 working days | First stage of the process |
| Full file processing | Around 2 to 4 weeks | Fast-track can be 5 to 7 working days for an extra fee |
Source: MOHRE and GDRFA Dubai guidance, 2026. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the employer must pay the visa costs. Fees are set by the UAE authorities and can change.
Extra costs you may meet personally can include document attestation, which ranges by country of origin. We give you a clear cost picture for your situation so there are no surprises later in the process.
Why Dubai attracts global talent
Dubai and the wider UAE are among the most popular destinations for Indian professionals. The economy is strong in finance, technology, construction, logistics, healthcare, tourism, and trade. Salaries are not taxed, the lifestyle is modern, and India is one of the largest communities in the country.
This keeps the Dubai work visa highly relevant. In 2026, the UAE has expanded its long-term Golden and Green Visa categories and used AI automation to shorten processing. A clean, well prepared file, with attested documents, matters more than ever.
Under the UAE labour law, the employer is legally responsible for paying the full cost of the work permit and residence visa, and it is unlawful to recover these costs from the employee’s wages.
Factual policy position, Government of the UAE. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations, administered by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
For applicants, the takeaway is simple. The standard visa is employer-paid and fast, and the long-term routes reward salary and talent. Securing a genuine offer or meeting the Green or Golden Visa criteria gives you the strongest position.
What applicants should do next
Start with an eligibility check to confirm your route and the documents you need. Secure a genuine offer from a UAE employer, or check whether you meet the Green or Golden Visa criteria. Then prepare and attest your documents before the application begins.
Meeting the criteria improves your chances, but the final decision rests with the UAE authorities. We help you prepare well, present your case clearly, and follow the correct steps so your application has the strongest possible footing.
Speak with BestMigrationConsultant.com about your Dubai work visa
Our immigration experts guide Indian professionals through every step of the Dubai work visa, from eligibility check to the MOHRE work permit, residence visa, and Golden or Green Visa options. Call +91-7670800002 or visit BestMigrationConsultant.com to start your free assessment today.