The UAE attracts hundreds of foreigners every year due to its world-class infrastructure and business-friendly policies. Working professionals have two main options to get in the UAE: an investor visa or an employment visa.
Both of these visas have perks and different processes. So how do you decide which one is the best fit for you?
This post will give you insight on all you need to know about investor and employment visas in the UAE. The purpose, cost, validity, how to apply and more of the visa will be covered. Read till the end to get a better idea of what will suit your needs the best. If you want help from an experienced expert, we’re here to support you. Contact us with any questions.
Employment Visa in UAE
An employment visa in the UAE is a residence visa sponsored by a UAE-registered employer on behalf of a hired foreign national. When you get hired by a UAE-based company, they provide the salary and take responsibility for your entry, residency, and work authorization.
This visa is provided especially to highly skilled professionals, senior executives, and managerial-level employees. It is a 2-3 year renewable visa that depends entirely on your employment.
This visa is governed primarily by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) for mainland jobs, and by individual free zone authorities for free zone employment.
If your salary meets the family sponsorship criteria of AED 3000 or AED 4000, you can sponsor your immediate dependents.
Eligibility for getting an employment visa in the UAE:
- Valid employment agreement
- Attested education and work experience certificates
- Medical fitness test certificate
- Health insurance by the employer
- Employment agreement approved by MoHRE
Employment visa UAE validity
A standard employment visa in the UAE remains valid for 2 years in the mainland and in the free zone as well. This visa is tied to the employer; thus, if you stay in the same company even after 2 years, the same employer can help you renew your employment visa.
However, if you leave the job or get terminated during the 2 years, you get a 30-day grace period to find a new job, change the status of your visa, or leave the country.
The following are a few special cases where 3-year employment visas are approved in the UAE:
- Employees sponsored from certain free zones
- Highly skilled employees in sectors like technology, healthcare, or engineering
- Senior execs. or managerial-level roles
Employment visa UAE cost
On average, the employment visa UAE price ranges between AED 3000 and AED 7000. The cost covers expenses for getting an offer letter, labour insurance, medical tests, visa stamping, and more.
The employment visa cost in the UAE will vary depending on several factors:
- The emirate you’re based in
- Your job category or profession
- Whether you’re on the mainland or in a free zone
- Your nationality
The biggest advantage of getting an employment visa in the UAE is that you don’t have to bear the cost of the application. The employer is legally obligated to handle the expenses of the employment visa UAE procedure and not deduct it from the employee’s salary.
Employment visa UAE processing time
Once you have secured the job, your employer needs to start the process of applying for an employment visa. The process has become streamlined due to digitization.
The processing time for employment visas in the UAE ranges between 2 and 4 weeks. Ideally, it takes 2 weeks, but it can vary for various reasons. Here’s a breakdown of the processing timeline (working days):
- Getting work permit approval from MoHRE: 5 days
- Issuing entry permit: 1-2 days
- Medical fitness test: 14 days
- Residence visa application: 3-10 days
- Issuance of Emirates ID: 5-7 days
- Labour card issuance: 2-3 days
Employment visa UAE document requirement
- Employee’s details
- Offer letter
- Work permit documents
- Labour insurance
- Entry permit documents
- Change of status documents
- Medical test reports
- Health issuance
- Emirates ID documents
- Labour contract documents
Investor Visa in UAE
If you are a business founder, partner, or an investor, you can get an investor visa in the UAE to stay for at least 2 to 5 or 10 years. You can get a 2-year investor visa with minimal investment or get a long-term Investor Golden Visa with a huge capital investment in real estate or any other business.
One of the primary features of an investor visa is independence. Your visa isn’t entirely dependent on your job. As long as the business you have invested in stands and you meet the investment criteria, your visa is valid even if the business has low activity.
The Golden Visa allows you to sponsor your family members yourself. You can also sponsor a maid visa or a househelp visa if you meet the qualifying income standard.
Eligibility to get an investor visa in the UAE:
- Documented proof of investment in a UAE-based business or property
- Bank statements showing financial capabilities
- Business plans for investors starting a business
- Ownership deed for property investment
Investor visa UAE validity
An investor visa can start from a 2-year property investor visa in the UAE. You can explore other investment opportunities during this period.
If you have made an investment of at least AED 2 Million, in a single or multiple real estate or businesses, you can apply for the Golden Visa for investors. This allows you to stay in the UAE for 5 to 10 years.
You can renew both of these visas if the minimum investment criteria are met.
Investor visa UAE cost
The cost of an investment visa in the UAE is higher due to self-sponsorship and minimum investment criteria. On average, the 2-year investor visa may cost you AED 3000 to AED 4500 and the Investor Golden Visa will cost you AED 15,000 to AED 30,000 or more.
Investor visa UAE processing time
The UAE investor visa processing time is between 2 and 4 weeks. This compliance checking of all the investments might take longer due to the volume of applications.
Investor visa UAE document requirement
- Passport copy
- Trade licence
- Passport-size photo
- Memorandum of Association (MoA)
- Property title deed
- Ejari
- Audit report
- Auditor licence
- Health insurance
- Bank statement
- Emirates ID
UAE Investor vs Employment Visa: Which one to choose?
| Employee visa | Investor visa | |
| Sponsor | Employer | Self sponsor |
| Validity | 2-3 year | 2 or 5 to 10 years |
| Cost | AED 3000 to AED 7000 | AED 3000 to AED 30,000 |
| Work freedom | Tied to the employer | Full autonomy to manage the business and real estate |
| Golden visa eligibility | Only for employees with special skills in specific industry | Yes |
Choose employee visa in the UAE if:
- You have a confirmed job in a UAE-based company
- You want a low-cost visa and are okay if it’s tied to your employment
- You want to check and explore opportunities before starting a business
Choose an investor visa in the UAE if:
- You want to start or invest in a business in the UAE
- You want to own multiple real estate properties
- You want more flexibility from your visa
- You want to be an independent sponsor for your family
365 Day PRO Services is here to help you get your employment or investor visa in the UAE. Contact us to know more.
Conclusion
Employment and investment are the two most common pathways to enter the UAE market. The UAE employment visa is ideal for professionals who want secure employment and employer-supported entry into the country. The Investor Visa is for entrepreneurs and business owners who want full control over their residency and activity in the UAE. Your choice between the two depends on your budget, goal, and expectations. Contact 365 Day PRO Services to know more.
FAQs
Can I work in the UAE with an investor visa?
Yes, you can work in the business or business you have invested in. Investor visa holders can not be employed in a company in which they haven’t invested. If you wish to take up employment with a separate organisation, you would need to obtain an employment visa in the UAE through that employer, or hold multiple roles under a properly structured business arrangement.
How many days will it take to get a UAE employment visa?
The employment visa processing time varies based on the emirate, the response time of the PRO service provider, and the applicant’s nationality. Most applications are processed between 2 and 4 weeks.
How much is a 2-year employment visa in the UAE?
The cost of a 2-year employment visa in the UAE ranges between AED 3,000 and AED 7,000. The employer is responsible for paying these expenses when sponsoring an employee visa and can’t charge it to the employee. Get accurate cost estimates from 365 Day PRO Services.
How long is a UAE employment visa valid for?
The employment visa in the UAE is valid for 2 to 3 years. Once the visa is issued, the applicant has 60 days to enter the UAE, and later they have a month or more to get a fitness test and Emirates ID. Contact us to know more about the validity and limitations of the employment visa in the UAE.