New UAE Employment Visa Rules 2025

People from all across the globe come to the UAE for numerous business and work opportunities. It’s not only about professional life but personal life also that attracts talent from around the world. Better work conditions, better work-life balance, career growth opportunities, and many other reasons are there for individuals to come to UAE for work opportunities. In 2025, the UAE government introduced new rules for employment visas, and if you are unaware of them, don’t worry. We’ve got your back! Through this blog, we will provide you with a detailed overview of the new employment visa rules in the UAE, covering topics like how to obtain a work permit, the documents required for application, and much more.

Understanding Employment Visa in the UAE

Employment visa, as the name suggests is a legal document issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) that allows foreign nationals to work in the UAE. In getting an employment visa, your company or the employer acts as your sponsor, facilitating the visa process on your behalf. With the help of this visa, you can work and get the legal right to reside in the UAE for the duration of your employment.

New Employment Visa Rules in 2025

The new employment rules come with several updates to the employment visa process. It is done to improve the work environment for both employers and employees. Let’s have a look at the some rules:

• In order to apply for an employment visa, you must be 18 years old.
• Your employer should have a valid license to operate in the UAE.
• The company should not have violated any of the UAE labor laws.
• Your job profile must match with company’s services.

Overview of Different Types of UAE Visas

After getting a little hold of employment visas, let’s have a look at some other types of visas that cater to different categories of people. Have a look at the table below:

1. Golden Visa

• Purpose: Long-term residency for investors, entrepreneurs, and talented individuals.
• Benefits: 5-year residency, multiple-entry visa, family sponsorship, no sponsor/employer required.
• Requirements:
  • Investment of AED 2 million in real estate or a business
  • Investment of AED 1 million in a business
  • Employment in a specialized role with a monthly salary of AED 150,000 or more
  • Outstanding talent in specific fields (e.g., science, technology, arts)

2. Green Visa

• Purpose: Long-term residency for skilled professionals and investors.
• Benefits: 5-year residency, multiple-entry visa, family sponsorship.
• Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher
  • Minimum monthly salary of AED 15,000 or equivalent
  • A skilled professional in one of the eligible sectors.

3. 3-Year Work Permits

• Purpose: For foreign workers employed in the UAE.
• Benefits: Multiple-entry visa, family sponsorship.
• Requirements:
  • Valid job offer
  • Employment visa
  • Medical fitness certificate
  • Other documents as required

4. 5-Year Residency Visas

• Purpose: Long-term residency for investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals.
• Benefits: 5-year residency, multiple-entry visa, family sponsorship.
• Requirements:
  • Specific criteria vary depending on the visa type

Necessary Documents for Employment Visa in the UAE

Now, let us have look a look at the documents required for an employment visa in the UAE. We have curated a list of necessary documents below, have a look:

• A valid passport with at least six months of validity
• A formal offer letter from a UAE-based employer
• A Medical Fitness Certificate from an authorized medical center in the UAE
• Passport-sized photographs
• Authenticated educational and professional qualifications
• The trade license and company card of the employer

Eligibility Criteria for a New Employment Visa in the UAE

You now know the required documents for an employment visa in the UAE, it’s time to find out the eligibility criteria. Although it depends on various factors like the applicant’s profession, qualifications, and others. To get a rough idea, you can have a look at the following primary eligibility criteria:

• You must have a confirmed job offer from a UAE-based employer.
• You should have a positive medical examination report conducted by an authorized health facility in the UAE.
• There should be no criminal record against you.
• Your employer must act as your sponsor and should be able to show their financial stability and ability to support you.
• Your passport must have at least six months of validity.
• You should have the required educational qualifications or certifications for the applied job.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Get a Work Permit in the UAE

As we are getting close to the conclusion, we should discuss the process of obtaining a work visa in the UAE:

Step 1: Job Offer and Visa Sponsorship

Your employer will initiate the process by submitting the visa application to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).

Step 2: Medical Examination

After approval and arriving in the UAE within a specified time frame, you will have to go through a mandatory medical examination.

Step 3: Emirates ID Application

Your employee will apply for an Emirates ID card once you arrive, which is a necessary step to complete the visa process.

Step 4: Residency Visa Stamping

If there are no irregularities found in your documents, you will be granted a residency visa with a stamp in your passport, allowing you to legally reside in the UAE for the duration of your employment.

Conclusion

So, this was a comprehensive guide on the new employment visa rules in the UAE. We have covered a lot of topics ranging from understanding the basic meaning of the employment visa in the UAE, new rules related to it, necessary documents required, eligibility criteria, and a detailed process to obtain an employment visa in the UAE. For visitors looking for short-term stays, we also cover Visa Free Entry and Tourist Visas for the UAE. Hope this information will be useful for you and you will share it with all your friends and family to help them understand the intricacies of the new employment visa rules in the UAE.

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