In 2025, the UAE continues to be one of the main destinations for qualified professionals and companies planning to hire employees from abroad. Many organizations rely on business setup consultants in Dubai to streamline the process and ensure compliance. In order to organize legal employment, employers and applicants must understand the types of work permits, the rules for registration, extension and cancellation of visas.
Types of Work Permits in the UAE
There are 12 types of permits in the country, including a standard work permit, a temporary permit, a missionary permit, a student permit, a minor permit, and a popular freelance permit. For example, a standard permit is issued for a period of two years, and a permit for private teaching is provided free of charge for two years. At the same time, the employee must have a valid contract and confirm their qualifications. The minimum age of the applicant is 18 years.
Difference Between Work Visa and Work Permit
A work visa and a work permit are two different documents. The permit confirms the employer’s right to hire an employee, and the visa allows you to enter the country and begin the process of obtaining residency status. After entry, the foreigner has 60 days to undergo a medical examination, submit biometric data for Emirates ID and obtain a resident visa. Employers who use business setup services can often receive guidance on this process. Medical examination includes checking for diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, syphilis and hepatitis. If a dangerous infection is detected, the applicant may be denied a visa.
Costs and Categories of Work Permits
The cost of obtaining and renewing a work permit depends on the company category and ranges from AED 250 to AED 3,450. Categories A, B, or C are assigned depending on the employer’s compliance with legislation, wage protection system, and other requirements. Companies that violate the rules are moved to Category C and face higher fees. Businesses planning to setup a company in Dubai should budget for these potential costs.
Special Permits for Remote and Flexible Work
Special types of permits are available in Dubai for employees who plan to work remotely or on flexible schedules:
A freelance permit is issued through various free zones. Total annual costs, including establishment card, visa stamping, Emirates ID, and medical tests, typically range from AED 7,500 to AED 20,000, depending on the free zone and chosen package.
Foreign professionals can live in Dubai while working for an international company or managing a firm abroad with the Remote Work Visa, often known as the Digital Nomad Visa. You must provide proof of work or ownership, a minimum monthly income of USD 3,500, and three months’ worth of bank statements to support your application.
The Green Visa is valid for five years and enables freelancers, skilled employees, and investors to work without a UAE sponsor. It also allows sponsoring family members, including spouse, children, and parents, if the eligibility criteria are met.
Some companies utilize free zone business setup options to combine remote work flexibility, 100% foreign ownership, and favorable regulations.
Emiratisation and Employment Contracts
Special attention is paid to compliance with the rules of emiratisation. Employers with 20-49 employees must hire one UAE citizen in 2024 and another in 2025, otherwise fines of up to AED 108,000 are imposed for each job not accepted. In addition, fixed employment contracts for up to three years and registration of all agreements with the Ministry of Human Resources have become mandatory. Companies that do not comply may struggle to maintain their UAE mainland company formation status.
Flexible Employment and Employee Rights
The flexibility of the labor market is reflected in the possibility of obtaining part-time employment, flexible employment, temporary work and part-time work. Each agreement is accompanied by mandatory medical insurance and annual leave of at least 30 days. In case of illness, an employee can take up to 90 days of sick leave per year: the first 15 days are paid in full, the next 30 days are half paid, and the remaining 45 days are unpaid. Many business setup consultants in Dubai recommend clarifying these conditions in employment contracts.
Cancellation and Grace Periods
Cancellation of a work visa requires the submission of an application by the employer, confirmation of payment of all amounts due, and the employee’s signature on the cancellation form. After the cancellation of the visa, there is a grace period of up to 28 days without penalties for finding a new employer or leaving the country. In some cases, this period may be extended to 6 months. Companies offering company formation services can also help manage visa cancellations efficiently.
The Golden Visa Option
For many foreign specialists, the golden visa remains attractive, allowing them to live and work in the UAE for up to 10 years without the need for a sponsor. To obtain such a permit, it is necessary to confirm investments from AED 2 million or the availability of qualifications in the field of medicine, engineering, science, and sports. The Golden visa grants the right to sponsor any number of domestic workers and maintain the status of a resident even during a long stay abroad.
Processing Times and Digital Platforms
In 2025, the processing of permits and visas has become faster due to the electronic filing of documents. The average time for reviewing an application is from 2 to 5 business days for an initial permit and up to 2 weeks for a resident visa. The implementation of the Work Bundle platform allows employers to obtain permits, issue medical certificates and apply for Emirates ID in one window. Many companies that opt for business setup in UAE mainland benefit from these streamlined procedures.
Document Verification and Penalties
It is important that candidates confirm their degrees with their home country’s Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Beginning employment in the United Arab Emirates without a legal permit is forbidden. Breaking these regulations may result in deportation, penalties, and the inability to get a visa again.
In a nation that draws millions of professionals each year with its flexible permit system and high standard of living, careful adherence to all rules and knowledge of the nuances of the many permit kinds and their validity periods helps prevent common mistakes and retain legal status.
Hiking addict, coffee addict, guitarist, reclaimed wood collector and javascripter. Producing at the intersection of aesthetics and intellectual purity to answer design problems with honest solutions. I work with Fortune 500 companies and startups. Tropical swift lover. My mission is to show people that IQOS is a revolution in the world of smoking.
