How to Apply for a UAE Work Visa from India: Step by Step

Official UAE guidance says work visas are applied for by the employer, not by the worker. Your part is to supply documents, travel on the entry permit and finish the formalities after landing. This guide follows the official process as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. For tourist and visit options, see our UAE visa guide for Indians.

Who applies for a UAE work visa: you or your employer?

Your employer. A UAE employer registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) obtains the work permit and the entry permit for an Indian worker. Working without a MOHRE work permit is illegal under Article 6 of the UAE Labour Law, whatever visa you entered on.

The employer must also meet conditions of its own:

• Your occupation must match the employer's business activity.
• The employer's trade licence must be valid and free of violations.
• Regulated professions must meet that profession's licensing conditions.
• You must be at least 18. Exceptions exist only for a juvenile work permit (ages 15 to 18) and a student training permit. Official pages publish no upper age limit.

The process from job offer to Emirates ID

1. Accept a written job offer from a UAE employer registered with MOHRE.
2. Send your documents to the employer (listed in the next section).
3. The employer obtains the MOHRE work permit. A permit to recruit from outside the UAE is valid for two years.
4. The employer applies for your work entry permit with ICP. Employers subject to the Labour Law also need MOHRE approval.
5. Travel to the UAE within 60 days of the entry permit being issued.
6. Take the medical fitness test (applicants aged 18 and over) and complete the security check.
7. Apply for the Emirates ID and residence visa within 60 days of entry.

MOHRE's Work Bundle combines the work permit and residence steps into about 5 working days, down from 30, with 5 steps and 2 in-person visits.

What documents should you send your employer from India?

ICP's checklist for a work entry permit includes:

For the residence permit after arrival, ICP lists your passport, photo, medical report, the MOHRE work permit (or employment contract or appointment decision for government employers), the medical fitness test result, security check and Emirates ID application.

What does each permit cost, and who pays?

UAE authorities publish these fees in AED only; there is no official INR figure.

Dubai (GDRFA) residence fees for work visas were not captured in the official data we checked, so ask your employer what applies in Dubai.

How long does each stage take?

• ICP work entry permit: 2 days (ICP service completion duration).
• ICP residence permit: 2 days.
• MOHRE Work Bundle, permit plus residence: about 5 working days.
• Your deadlines: enter within 60 days of the entry permit; complete residence within 60 days of entry.

These figures cover the government stages only. The time you need to collect attested certificates and medical reports in India comes on top.

Can you look for a job on a job seeker visa first?

Yes, if you qualify. The job seeker visit visa lets you look for work without a UAE host or sponsor, for 60, 90 or 120 days (single entry per ICP). You need MOHRE skill level 1, 2 or 3, or a degree from one of the world's top 500 universities within the last 2 years, plus a bachelor's degree or equivalent.

GDRFA Dubai charges AED 200 (60 days), AED 300 (90 days) or AED 400 (120 days), plus 5% VAT, a refundable AED 1,000 security amount and AED 20 warranty and AED 40 guarantee collection and return fees. GDRFA's expected completion time is 48 hours. Once you find a job, the employer still has to obtain the work permit before you start.

Higher earners can look at self-sponsored routes. ICP's Green visa for skilled workers needs a valid UAE employment contract, MOHRE level 1, 2 or 3, a bachelor's degree and a monthly salary of at least AED 15,000.

Warning signs before you accept a UAE job offer

• The "employer" asks you to apply for the work visa yourself or to enter on a visit visa and start work. Only a MOHRE work permit makes the job legal.
• The company cannot show a valid trade licence, or your job title does not match its business activity.
• MOHRE may refuse, not renew or cancel permits if an employer provides incorrect documents, is fictitious or inactive, or does not comply with the Wages Protection System; firms with listed violations are denied new permits.
• You are asked to pay the MOHRE work permit fee, which u.ae lists as paid by the employer.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters for visa applications, including job-seeker and interview trips. Packages range from INR 1,000 for a flight reservation to INR 3,000 for the full set. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or reach us via the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an age limit for a UAE work visa?

The minimum age is 18, with exceptions for a juvenile work permit from 15 to 18 and a student training permit. Official UAE pages publish no upper age limit.

How long is a UAE work permit valid?

A MOHRE work permit to recruit from outside the UAE is valid for two years, and the standard work visa is valid for two years and renewable.

Can I change a UAE visit visa to a work visa without leaving?

ICP lists an in-country change of status fee of AED 500. Your employer must still obtain the MOHRE work permit before you start work, because working without one is illegal.

What salary do I need for a UAE Golden visa as a professional?

ICP's Golden Residency guide lists MOHRE occupational level 1 or 2, a valid UAE work permit and contract, a bachelor's degree or equivalent and a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000 for skilled or specialised professionals.