UAE Work Permit for Indians: Employer Steps and Timeline

The steps and figures below come from u.ae (content source: the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, MOHRE) and from ICP service pages, as published on the official sources, checked on 2026-10-15. For tourist, transit and visa-on-arrival options, see our UAE visa guide for Indians.

Who applies for a UAE work permit: you or the employer?

The employer. A standard UAE work visa is employer-sponsored. The UAE company, registered with MOHRE, obtains the work permit and the entry permit for you. Working without a MOHRE work permit is illegal under Article 6 of the UAE Labour Law.

Before the employer can file, these conditions must be met:

• You are at least 18 years old. Exceptions exist for juvenile work permits (ages 15 to 18) and student training permits.
• Your occupation matches the employer's business activity.
• The employer's trade licence is valid and free of violations.
• If your profession is regulated, you meet that profession's licensing conditions.

What are the employer's steps, in order?

1. Offer and contract. You agree terms with the UAE employer.
2. MOHRE work permit. The employer applies to MOHRE. A work permit to recruit from outside the UAE is valid for two years.
3. Entry permit. The employer applies to ICP (Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) for a work entry permit. Employers subject to the Labour Law also need MOHRE approval for this.
4. Your travel. You must enter the UAE within 60 days of the entry permit being issued.
5. Medical test, security check and Emirates ID. After arrival you take a medical fitness test (required for applicants aged 18 and over), go through a security check and apply for an Emirates ID.
6. Residence visa. Residence formalities must be completed within 60 days of entry. The standard work visa is valid for two years and renewable.

How long does each stage take?

These are government service times once a complete application is filed. They do not include the time your employer needs to prepare its side, or the time you need in India to collect certificates. Treat them as the fastest case, not a promise.

What does a UAE work permit cost, and who pays?

u.ae lists the MOHRE permit as paid by the employer. ICP publishes the entry and residence fees but does not say who pays them, so get that confirmed in your offer letter. ICP's figures exclude Emirates ID, the medical test and insurance. Dubai applications go through GDRFA Dubai, whose residence fees may differ. UAE authorities publish these amounts in AED only; there is no official INR figure.

Which documents will your employer ask you to send from India?

ICP's checklist for a work entry permit includes:

• A passport valid for at least 6 months.
• A personal photo.
• A medical report and a medical fitness certificate for work.
• Your employment contract (if you are bound by one), an employer certificate, or a temporary contract or letter stating the purpose of entry.
• An attested certificate of good conduct, for the categories ICP has announced.
• Valid UAE health insurance and a travel ticket.

For the residence permit after arrival, ICP adds the MOHRE work permit, the medical fitness test (18 and over), a security check and the Emirates ID application. If your category needs an attested good-conduct certificate, ask the employer early exactly which attestation it wants.

When can MOHRE refuse or cancel a work permit?

The u.ae work permits page says MOHRE may refuse, not renew or cancel permits if the 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. The employer's standing matters as much as your own papers.

Before you resign in India or pay anyone, check that:

• you hold a written offer from a named UAE company whose activity matches your job;
• the employer, not you, is applying for the MOHRE permit;
• you will receive a copy of the entry permit before you fly; and
• nobody is asking you to start work on a visit visa before the work permit is issued.

What if you do not have a job offer yet?

Two official routes let you look for work or work on your own terms:

• Job seeker visit visa: 60, 90 or 120 days without a UAE sponsor. 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) and a bachelor's degree. GDRFA Dubai charges AED 200, AED 300 or AED 400 plus 5% VAT, with a refundable AED 1,000 security amount.
• Green visa for skilled workers: a 5-year self-sponsored residence. It 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.

If you travel to the UAE for interviews on a visit visa, Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 to INR 3,000. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Can an Indian get a UAE work permit without an employer?

Not a standard work permit: the UAE employer must apply to MOHRE. Freelancers can instead seek a Green visa with a MOHRE freelance or self-employment permit, which has its own degree and income conditions.

How long is a UAE work visa valid?

The standard employer-sponsored work visa is valid for two years and is renewable. A MOHRE work permit to recruit from outside the UAE is also valid for two years.

Do I need a medical test for a UAE work visa?

Yes. The entry permit checklist asks for a medical report and a medical fitness certificate, and the residence visa needs a medical fitness test for applicants aged 18 and over.

Are UAE work permit fees published in rupees?

No. MOHRE and ICP publish fees in AED only. Ask your employer which fees it covers before you accept the offer.