Job Spectra
Dubai and UAE work visa for Indians: the official employer process
In the UAE the employer applies. The employer first gets a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), then a work entry permit for the new employee, and after arrival the employee completes a medical fitness test, an Emirates ID application and a labour card. The UAE government says the employer bears the AED 3,000 bank guarantee and the approval fees.
How does an Indian get a Dubai or UAE work visa?
In the UAE the employer applies. The employer first gets a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), then a work entry permit for the new employee, and after arrival the employee completes a medical fitness test, an Emirates ID application and a labour card. The UAE government says the employer bears the AED 3,000 bank guarantee and the approval fees.
The two stages, per the UAE government
| Stage | What happens | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Work permit (labour card) | The employer registers the establishment with MoHRE, gets an electronic signature card, passes inspection, and applies for work permits with the required documents. | Employer |
| 2. Entry permit and residency | The employer opens a company file with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and applies for work entry permits for new employees. | Employer |
| 3. After arrival | The employee completes the medical fitness test, the Emirates ID application and labour card issuance within the two-month period. | Employee, with the employer arranging |
Validity and costs stated by the UAE government
- The work permit is valid for 60 days, and the work entry permit for two months.
- The employer must pay the approval fees and a bank guarantee of AED 3,000 for each registered employee within the 60-day work permit validity.
- The guarantee is borne by the employer and refundable when the employee's service ends.
- The residence visa is stamped in the passport with the full details and validity period. The page does not state how many years it lasts.
What this means for an Indian worker
- The UAE is one of India's 17 ECR countries. If your passport is ECR, you need emigration clearance before you take up employment, applied for through eMigrate.
- Because the official page places the approval fees and the AED 3,000 guarantee on the employer, be cautious if an intermediary asks you to pay those items. Ask for a written breakdown, and verify the agent on eMigrate first.
- Keep your offer letter, contract, work permit and entry permit details together, and ask the employer for the permit status in writing before you fly.
- See our practical guide to finding legitimate jobs in Dubai.
Official sources
- UAE Government: recruiting on the mainland
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE)
- MEA: emigration abroad for employment (ECR list)
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Information only, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Who applies for the UAE work visa?
The employer. It obtains the work permit from MoHRE and the work entry permit through the residency authority, and the employee completes the medical, Emirates ID and labour card steps.
How long is a UAE work permit valid?
The UAE government page states 60 days for the work permit and two months for the work entry permit.
Who pays the AED 3,000 bank guarantee?
The employer. The page states the guarantee is for each registered employee, is borne by the employer, and is refundable when the employee's service ends.
Do Indians need emigration clearance for the UAE?
If your passport is ECR and you are going for employment, yes: the UAE is one of the 17 ECR countries.