UAE Employment Visa Sponsorship — How It Works
In the UAE, employers sponsor their employees' residence visas and work permits. Understanding this process is essential for any company hiring expatriate staff.
Overview of the Process
An employment visa actually involves two components:
- Work Permit — issued by MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) — covers the right to work
- Residence Visa — issued by GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) or ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — covers the right to reside
Both must be in place for an employee to legally live and work in the UAE.
The Typical Sponsorship Process
Step 1 — Work Permit Application (MOHRE) The employer submits a work permit application via the MOHRE E-Channel system. This requires a valid Establishment Card and E-Channel account.
Step 2 — Entry Permit (if employee is outside UAE) If the employee is abroad, an entry permit is issued allowing them to enter the UAE to complete medical and biometrics.
Step 3 — Medical Fitness Test The employee undergoes a medical fitness examination at an approved MOHRE medical centre.
Step 4 — Emirates ID Registration (ICP) Biometric data (fingerprints, photo) is registered for Emirates ID issuance.
Step 5 — Residence Visa Stamping The employee's passport is stamped with the UAE residence visa, valid for 2 years (standard) or 3–10 years for certain categories.
Employer Costs
Approximate costs per new hire:
- Work permit fees: AED 500–2,000
- Medical fitness: AED 200–500
- Emirates ID: AED 370
- Residence visa stamping: AED 500–1,500
- Establishment card and E-Channel renewal (annual): AED 2,000–4,000
How Kounted Supports Visa Processing
Kounted manages the full E-Channel submission, document preparation, and government filing on behalf of mainland employers. We also maintain your Establishment Card and E-Channel account renewals proactively.