The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains a hub of international talent with lucrative opportunities and a growing economy. But when it comes to expats and businesses, knowing the cost of employment visa in UAE in advance is important before hiring an employee or when you are about to join a job.

At GlobalBusinessSetup, we assist you in simplifying the business setup and visa process in UAE. In this detailed guide, you’ll learn how much employment visas in the UAE cost, what factors influence their costs, and how to effectively handle them.

What is a UAE Employment Visa?

An employment visa is a type of legal records which grants the foreign national to be able to work at UAE. It is granted under sponsorship of a company and is essential for a non-UAE resident to work in the country.

An employment visa process has three parts:

Initial Approval, Work Permit

Entry Permit

Emirates ID & Residency Visa (Stamping on copyright)

There is a fee and a time frame for each step.

Types of Employment Visa in the UAE

In the UAE, employees are categorized based on 3 skill levels, and visa fees will vary depending on the following:

Skill Level 1: Skilled (Engineers, Doctors, etc.)

Skill Level 1: Graduates, such as skilled workers and those with certificates of education.

Skilled Workers 3: Unskilled workers and artisans

Employers need to be mindful that employing 

Additional Costs to Consider

Visa issuance is not the only expense employers may face!

Refundable amounts (Up to AED 3,000 per employee)

Health (AED 600 – AED 5,000 according to coverage)

Pro Reading of documents – abortion is ruled by law.

Penalties or sanctions for late or improper renewals

Mainland compared to Free zone Employment Visas

Mainland Companies

Regulated under MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation)

Can support employees for 2 year visas

Should keep a quota-based system to hire foreigners

The cost of an employment visa is based on the company type

Free Zone Companies

Visa applications are processed by the Free Zone Authority concerned.

Tend to be more efficient and quicker

Duration of employment visa: 2 or 3 years (according to zone)

Package rates available for more then one visa

Example: Both the ranges copyright costs can go from anywhere between AED 4500 to AED 8000 (including medicals and EID) can vary in DMCC.

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

The copyright process takes on average 10-15 working days, provided all documents are available :

Offer Letter & MOHRE Approval – 3-5 days

Issuance of Entry Permit – within 2- 4 working days.

Health Check & Application for Emirates ID – 2-3 days

Visa Stamping – 3 to 5 days

Total: 2 – 3 weeks

Price of visa renewal in UAE for jobs

copyright -: A copyright is to be renewed before it expires in UAE. The renewal process is the same as the process for issuing a new card and the prices are about the same.

Renewal fee: AED 3,000 to AED 7,000

Services: Medical test, Emirates ID, visa stamping and typing fees are included

Administrators are urged to begin the renewal process at least 30 days before expiration in order to escape penalties.

Difference between government fees and typing centre charges

Two things need to be distinguishh here:

Government fees: These are the actual payments to MOHRE, immigration, health authority, etc.

Typing Center Fees: For applications, online application and appointment scheduling

We provide transparent pricing at GlobalBusinessSetup and take care of both sides, so you never overpay or miss key deadlines.

Why Visa Costs May Vary

The total cost is influenced by a number of factors:

Emirate of Registration - Fees may differ in Dubai than in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah

Company Category (Compliance History and Emiratisation Ratios)

Nationality of the Employees and their Skills

Visa Duration – 2Years vs 3Years visa?

Conditions or Visits To The Doctor Or Hospital

Free Zone vs Mainland laws

Preventing Common Mistakes in the copyright Application Process

To save time and money:

Authentications of all translated and treated papers.

Select the visa type efficiently

Work with a registered PRO or corporate consultant such as GlobalBusinessSetup.helpers.

Track and maintain employee records and renewal dates

Know your company’s visa quota or constraints

How GlobalBusinessSetup Can Assist

Some of the many services offered at GlobalBusinessSetup include:

End-to-end visa processing

Business licensing and setup

Applicants can attest to documents and can also book medical appointments

Free Zone & Mainland visa advisory

Tailored visa solutions for Start-ups, SMEs

Our bunch makes you trouble-free about the UAE laws, saves your time and peace of mind when scaling your numbers.

So plan wisely with clear Visa Fee!

Whether you are an entrepreneur starting up a new business or HR practitioner who is handling a team, knowing how much employment visa would cost in the UAE is important for compliance and budgeting.

What is an Indian e Visa Visa fees may sound confusing, but it isn’t, provided you have the right source of information. And that’s where GlobalBusinessSetup fits in – your trusted ally in business and visa services in the UAE.