# UAE Work Visa Fees for Indians (2026): Permit and Visa Costs in AED > Every official charge in a UAE work visa for Indians: MOHRE permit, ICP entry and residence permits, job seeker visa fees, and the costs the fee tables leave out. _Published: 2026-10-25 · Reading time: 6 min · Words: 1302_ ## TL;DR A UAE work visa is a chain of permits, not one fee. The employer pays the MOHRE work permit (AED 250 to AED 3,450) and applies for the ICP entry permit, after which the residence permit costs AED 100 application, AED 100 per year and AED 100 smart service. Emirates ID, medical test and insurance costs are extra. ## Key takeaways - MOHRE work permit: AED 250 to AED 3,450, paid by the employer; the cost depends on the employer's MOHRE category A, B or C. - ICP work entry permit: AED 100 application + AED 100 issuance + AED 100 smart service, applied for by the employer. - ICP residence permit: AED 100 application + AED 100 per year of residence + AED 100 smart service; in-country change of status costs AED 500. - Emirates ID, medical test and health insurance costs are not included in ICP's figures. - UAE authorities publish work visa fees in AED only; there is no official rupee amount. **According to u.ae and the ICP, an Indian hired in the UAE faces three government charges: the MOHRE work permit (AED 250 to AED 3,450, paid by the employer), the ICP work entry permit (AED 100 application, AED 100 issuance, AED 100 smart service) and the residence permit (AED 100 application, AED 100 per year, AED 100 smart service).** ## Article All amounts below are in UAE dirhams, as published on the official sources (u.ae, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and GDRFA Dubai), checked on 15 October 2026. UAE authorities publish work, residence and job seeker fees in AED only, so there is no official rupee figure. For tourist, transit and visa-on-arrival rules, see our UAE visa guide for Indian passport holders. ### What does each stage of a UAE work visa cost? A UAE work visa is not a single fee. It is a chain of permits, each charged separately, and the employer starts the chain. You cannot apply for an employer-sponsored work visa on your own. StageOfficial feeWho handles itMOHRE work permit (issue or renewal)AED 250 to AED 3,450Employer; listed as paid by the employerWork entry permit (ICP)AED 100 application + AED 100 issuance + AED 100 smart serviceEmployer applies through ICPWork residence permit (ICP)AED 100 application + AED 100 per year of residence + AED 100 smart serviceCompleted after you arriveIn-country change of status (ICP)AED 500Only if you are already in the UAE on another visaFinancial security deposit fee (ICP combined list)AED 20Shown on ICP's combined fee listICP lists these figures as of October 2026. Applications in Dubai go through GDRFA Dubai, and ICP notes that Dubai amounts may differ. ### Why does the MOHRE work permit range from AED 250 to AED 3,450? The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) charges the employer to issue or renew a work permit. According to u.ae, the cost depends on the employer's MOHRE classification: A, B or C. The same job can carry a different permit cost at two different companies. Three facts matter to you as the worker: - The work permit fee is listed as paid by the employer. - Working without a MOHRE work permit is illegal under Article 6 of the UAE Labour Law. - A work permit to recruit from outside the UAE is valid for two years. The standard work visa is also valid for two years and is renewable. Our record does not show which category a given company falls into. If it matters to your contract, ask the employer to confirm its MOHRE classification in writing. ### How much are the ICP entry and residence permit fees? The work entry permit is what lets you fly to the UAE for the job. ICP charges AED 100 to apply, AED 100 on issue and an AED 100 smart service fee. Employers subject to the Labour Law also need MOHRE approval before this permit is issued. After you land, the residence permit takes over. ICP charges AED 100 to apply, AED 100 for each year of residence and an AED 100 smart service fee, so the per-year part grows with the length of residence granted. Timing is strict. You must enter within 60 days of the entry permit being issued and complete residence formalities within 60 days of entry. ICP lists a service completion time of 2 days each for the entry permit and the residence permit. Where the employer uses MOHRE's Work Bundle, the work permit and residence take about 5 working days (down from 30), with 5 steps and 2 in-person visits. ### Which costs are missing from the official fee tables? ICP's figures leave out several items you will still meet. Ask the employer who pays each one before you sign: - Emirates ID: the residence visa needs an Emirates ID application; its fee is not included in ICP's work-residence figures. - Medical fitness test: required for applicants aged 18 or over; cost not included. - UAE health insurance: listed among the entry permit documents; the premium is not included. - Attested good-conduct certificate: needed for announced categories; attestation costs are not in our record. - Dubai residence fees: GDRFA Dubai's work residence fees were not captured in our dataset, so check GDRFA Dubai directly if your employer is in Dubai. There is no official INR conversion either. If you pay any amount yourself, your bank's rate on the day decides the rupee cost. ### How much does the UAE job seeker visa cost? If you have no offer yet, GDRFA Dubai issues a visit visa to explore job opportunities. It is a separate product from the employer-sponsored work visa. Length of stayGDRFA Dubai fee60 daysAED 20090 daysAED 300120 daysAED 400All three are plus 5% VAT. GDRFA Dubai also takes a refundable AED 1,000 security amount, plus AED 20 warranty and AED 40 guarantee collection/return fees. To qualify, 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 or equivalent. Finding a job on this visa does not let you start work: the employer still has to obtain the work permit above. ### Do Green and Golden visas change the cost picture? Higher earners may qualify for residence that is not tied to an employer's sponsorship. Our dataset records the eligibility thresholds for these routes, not separate fee tables: - Green visa, skilled worker: 5-year renewable residence; valid UAE employment contract, MOHRE level 1, 2 or 3, a bachelor's degree and a minimum monthly salary of AED 15,000. - Green visa, freelancer: MOHRE freelance or self-employment permit and annual freelance income over the previous two years of at least AED 360,000. - Golden visa, skilled professional: 10-year residence per ICP; MOHRE level 1 or 2, a valid work permit and contract, and a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000. Check the ICP Green Residency guide for current charges before you budget for these routes. ### Fee mistakes Indian workers should avoid - Do not treat a quoted rupee "visa package" as the government fee. UAE authorities publish work visa fees in AED only. - Do not take up work on a job seeker visa. Working without a MOHRE work permit is illegal. - If you are already inside the UAE on another visa, budget for the AED 500 change-of-status fee on top of residence fees. - Do not miss the 60-day windows: entry within 60 days of the entry permit, residence within 60 days of entry. - Get the split of Emirates ID, medical test and insurance costs agreed in your offer letter, since none of them appear in ICP's figures. Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). These help most with visit or job seeker applications, since an employer-sponsored work permit is filed by your UAE employer. You can reach us on WhatsApp at +91 95230 91018 or through our contact page. ### Frequently asked questions #### Does the employer pay for a UAE work visa? The MOHRE work permit fee is listed as paid by the employer, and the employer applies for the work entry permit through ICP. ICP's figures exclude Emirates ID, medical test and insurance costs, so agree in writing who pays those. #### Is there an official UAE work visa fee in Indian rupees? No. UAE authorities publish work, student and visa-on-arrival fees in AED only. Any rupee figure you see is a conversion or an agent's package price, not an official fee. #### How long is a UAE work visa valid? According to u.ae, the standard employer-sponsored work visa is valid for two years and is renewable. A work permit to recruit from outside the UAE is also valid for two years. #### How fast is the MOHRE Work Bundle? u.ae says the Work Bundle completes the work permit and residence in about 5 working days, down from 30, with 5 steps and 2 in-person visits. The employer runs this process. ## FAQ ### Does the employer pay for a UAE work visa? The MOHRE work permit fee is listed as paid by the employer, and the employer applies for the work entry permit through ICP. ICP's figures exclude Emirates ID, medical test and insurance costs, so agree in writing who pays those. ### Is there an official UAE work visa fee in Indian rupees? No. UAE authorities publish work, student and visa-on-arrival fees in AED only. Any rupee figure you see is a conversion or an agent's package price, not an official fee. ### How long is a UAE work visa valid? According to u.ae, the standard employer-sponsored work visa is valid for two years and is renewable. A work permit to recruit from outside the UAE is also valid for two years. ### How fast is the MOHRE Work Bundle? u.ae says the Work Bundle completes the work permit and residence in about 5 working days, down from 30, with 5 steps and 2 in-person visits. The employer runs this process. ## Sources 1. [u.ae - Work permits (MOHRE types, conditions, cost, Work Bundle)](https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/jobs/Sector-of-employment/employment-in-the-private-sector/work-permits) — UAE Government (u.ae), content source MOHRE 2. [ICP - Issuance of a Visa (entry permit categories, fees, documents)](https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e60) — Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) 3. [ICP - Issuing Residency Permit (student and work categories, fees, documents)](https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e64) — Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) 4. [GDRFA Dubai - Visit visa to explore job opportunities (fees)](https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/2a679791-408a-11ed-4fe5-0050569629e8) — GDRFA Dubai