Getting a visa and work permit in Dubai?

Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) issues work permits. The employer needs
to apply to MoHRE for the work permit.

Under Article 1 of Ministerial Decree No. 766 of 2015, an employee whose employment was
terminated because of expiry of his contract, whether limited or non-limited can get a new work
permit when he wishes to join new employment.

An employee can also get a new work permit for all limited and non-limited contracts if:

• it is determined that the employer has failed to meet the legal and contractual obligations,
  including but not limited to failure to pay wages for more than 60 days
• MoHRE confirms that the employer has not provided work due to the firm being inactive for
  more than two months and if the worker reports to the ministry during this period
• the final ruling in a labour case (which MoHRE referred to the Labour Court on the basis of a
  complaint) is in favour of the employee and where the case pertains to early termination or
  outstanding wages which are less than two months of dues for end of service.

If the employee is in the UAE, he must maintain a status which allows him to transfer his residency to a different sponsor.

Procuring a work visa and immigration

Procuring a work visa involves MoHRE and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) of the emirate where a person is employed.

The process starts with procuring a work permit for an expatriate from MoHRE. The work permit allows the holder to enter the UAE for employment and it is valid for two months from the date of issue.

After the employee enters the UAE on the basis of the work permit, the sponsoring company arranges to complete the formalities of medical testing, obtaining UAE Resident Identity (Emirates ID) Card, Labour Card and stamping the work residency permit on his passport within a scope of 60 days. The work residency permit on the employee's passport denotes that he is sponsored by the company he is employed by.

After this process, the employee can sponsor his family members and bring them into the country

To start planning your Visa and work permit in Dubai, please contact our mobility team today.