Dubai gives work to millions of foreign workers, and getting a work visa is faster than in many other countries. But the visa always depends on an employer. This guide explains the steps, who pays, how long it takes and what your rights are.
The five steps
| 1. Offer letter | The company sends you a job offer with the salary and conditions. You sign it. |
|---|---|
| 2. Work permit | The employer gets approval from the labour ministry, MOHRE. This happens before you travel. |
| 3. Entry permit | You receive a permit to enter the UAE for work, usually valid for 60 days. |
| 4. Medical test and ID | In the UAE you do a medical test and give fingerprints for your Emirates ID. |
| 5. Residence visa | The employer gets your residence visa, usually for two years. |
The whole process usually takes two to four weeks. Companies in a free zone follow the same idea, but with the free zone authority.
Who pays?
The employer pays for the work permit, the entry permit, the medical test, the Emirates ID and the visa. The law does not allow the employer to take these costs from your salary. Agents who ask workers for “visa money” break this rule.
Documents you will usually need
- A passport valid for at least six months.
- Passport photos with a white background.
- The signed offer letter.
- For some jobs, school or trade certificates with official stamps.
- For drivers, your driving licence.
What the visa lets you do
- You work for the company that sponsors you. To work for another company you need a new permit.
- If your job ends, the employer must cancel the permit and pay what is owed to you. You then have a short time to find a new job or leave.
- You can bring your family only if your salary is high enough. For most helper jobs it is not.
Pay is by contract
There is no minimum wage for foreign workers in the UAE, and no income tax on your salary. So your offer letter is everything. Read the basic salary, and what the company gives on top: room, food, transport, overtime and a ticket home. Ask before you sign, not after you arrive.
How to apply safely
- Apply on company career pages and on known Gulf job websites such as Bayt, Naukrigulf and Indeed UAE.
- Send a clear CV in English with your experience, licences and a photo.
- If a company answers, ask for a written offer letter with the salary and what is included: room, food, transport.
- Check the offer on the labour ministry (MOHRE) website or app.
- Travel only after the employer has sent you the entry permit for work. Do not pay for the visa.
Common reasons a visa is refused
- The job offer is not real, or the employer did not do their part of the process.
- Papers are missing, or the dates and names in your papers do not match.
- You cannot show the experience or training that the job asks for.
- False papers. One false paper can block you for years, so never use them.
If your visa is refused, read the reason in the letter. Often you can apply again when the problem is fixed.
Before you travel: a short checklist
- Your visa or entry paper is in your hands and the name matches your passport.
- You have the signed contract and the employer’s address and phone number.
- You know who meets you on arrival and where you will sleep the first night.
- You have enough money for your first weeks, until the first pay arrives.
- Your family has copies of all your papers.
Your rights as a worker in the UAE
- Your contract must match your offer letter, and your salary must be paid on time through the bank system for wages.
- Your employer is not allowed to keep your passport.
- Normal work is up to eight hours a day and 48 hours a week. Extra hours must be paid at a higher rate.
- In summer, outdoor work in the sun is banned in the middle of the day.
- After one year you have a right to paid leave and to an end-of-service payment when you leave.
- If you are not paid, you can complain to the labour ministry, MOHRE, for free.
Costs to plan for
Dubai is expensive, so the most important question is what comes with the job. Many companies give helpers, labourers and cleaners a shared room, transport to work and sometimes food. This is worth a lot. A job with AED 1,200 a month plus room and food can leave you more money than a job with AED 1,800 and nothing included. If you must pay for your own bed space, food and transport, a low salary is not enough to live and save. As a guide, 1 US dollar is about 3.67 dirhams (AED).
Protect yourself from fake job offers
- Never pay for a work visa. In the UAE the employer must pay all visa costs.
- Be careful with offers by WhatsApp from people who use a free email address and a famous company name.
- Do not travel on a visit visa because an agent promises “the job is waiting”. Many people end up with no job and no money.
- Check the offer letter and the company on the MOHRE website before you leave your country.
Questions people ask
Can I go to Dubai on a visit visa and look for work?
Many people try, but it is risky and costly. You cannot work on a visit visa. If you find a job, the employer must change your status and get your work permit before you start.
Do I pay tax on my salary in Dubai?
No. There is no income tax on salaries in the UAE.
More guides for Dubai
- Factory jobs in Dubai
- Driver jobs in Dubai
- Hotel and cleaning jobs in Dubai
- Construction jobs in Dubai
- All jobs in Dubai for foreign workers
- How to apply for jobs in Dubai
Last checked: November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and pay change, so always confirm on the official websites before you decide. We are not a recruiter and we never ask for money.