2 Years Employment Visa
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What Is a 2-Year Employment Visa in Dubai?
A 2-year employment visa in the UAE allows a foreign national, officially hired by a UAE-licensed company, to legally live and work in the Emirates. This visa provides full access to UAE residency benefits.
To obtain this visa, several requirements must be completed, including a valid labor contract, medical fitness test (blood test and chest X-ray), biometric data submission, and valid health insurance.
The visa is issued under the employer’s sponsorship, meaning the company is responsible for the employee’s legal status in the UAE.
Step-by-Step Process of Obtaining an Employment Visa
The process is initiated and managed by the employer, while the employee provides documents and completes required procedures.
From the Employer’s Side
Company Requirements:
- Valid trade license with visa allocation (Establishment Card)
- Office space (physical or flexi-desk depending on jurisdiction)
Process:
- Issue an offer letter outlining salary, role, and contract terms
- Apply for a work permit through MOHRE (or free zone authority)
- Receive initial approval
- Apply for an entry permit via immigration authorities
- Employee enters the UAE (entry permit valid for 60 days)
- Sign and register employment contract
- Employee completes medical fitness test
- Collect biometric data (fingerprints)
- Arrange health insurance
- Residence visa and Emirates ID are issued
For mainland companies, employment processes are handled through MOHRE, while free zones manage their own internal procedures.
From the Employee’s Side
Required Documents:
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
- Passport-size photo
- Job offer letter
- Attested educational certificates (if required)
Process:
- Receive job offer
- Enter the UAE using entry permit
- Sign employment contract
- Complete medical test and biometrics
- Obtain health insurance
- Receive Emirates ID and residence visa
- Start working legally
Benefits of a 2-Year Employment Visa
- Legal right to live and work in the UAE
- Ability to sponsor family members
- Access to banking services
- Eligibility for long-term property rentals
- Ability to obtain a UAE driving license
- No personal income tax on salary
- Visa costs typically covered by employer
Limitations of the Employment Visa
- Visa is tied to the employer
- Loss of job leads to visa cancellation
- Grace period (30–180 days) to change status or leave UAE
- No freelancing or working for other employers
- Staying outside UAE for more than 180 days may invalidate visa
Family visa costs are usually covered by the employee unless specified in the employment package.
Why Choose a Mainland Company Visa?
Freedom to Work Across the UAE
A mainland visa allows you to work anywhere across all seven emirates without restrictions, unlike many free zone visas.
Access to More Job Opportunities
Mainland companies operate across key industries such as healthcare, construction, retail, logistics, hospitality, education, and consulting.
Simplified Renewals
Mainland companies are generally well-equipped to handle visa renewals, medical tests, and compliance procedures.
Foundation for Future Business Setup
Working under a mainland visa provides practical exposure to UAE labor laws and processes, which is valuable if you plan to start your own business later.
Cost of a 2-year employment visa in 2026: detailed breakdown
Approximate Total Costs
The total cost of a 2-year employment visa in Dubai varies depending on the company category, jurisdiction, and additional services included in the process.
- Mainland (Category 1 & 2): Approximately AED 5,000 – 7,000 in standard cases
- Mainland (Category 3): Approximately AED 6,500 – 12,000 due to higher MOHRE fees and optional services
- Free Zone (mid-range): Approximately AED 3,500 – 6,500 depending on the package and free zone
These costs often include bundled services such as entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, and visa issuance. Additional charges like VAT and typing center fees may apply.
Note: These are estimated costs and may vary. It is recommended to consult a business advisor for accurate and up-to-date pricing. Basic health insurance is usually included but may not cover all medical needs.
Who Pays for the Employment Visa?
According to UAE labor law, the employer is fully responsible for covering all employment visa costs. This includes:
- Work permit and labor card
- Visa application and issuance
- Medical fitness test
- Emirates ID
- Government approvals and MOHRE registration
Employees should not be required to pay for their visa, either upfront or through salary deductions.
However, in some cases, companies may propose alternative arrangements such as partial reimbursement or service agreements. It is important to carefully review your contract and verify the legitimacy of the employer before agreeing to such terms.
Reputable employers, especially mainland companies, typically cover 100% of the official visa costs as part of their legal obligation.
Processing Time for a 2-Year Employment Visa
The processing time generally begins once the employee arrives in the UAE and typically takes around 1 week.
- 2–3 days: Medical test, biometrics, and results
- 5–7 days: Issuance of residence visa and Emirates ID
Difference Between Employment Visa and Other Visa Types
The 2-year employment visa is one of several UAE residence visa options. Other common visa types include:
- Freelance visa
- Investor or partner visa
- Golden Visa (long-term residency)
- Property investor visa
Each visa type differs in terms of eligibility, sponsorship, flexibility, and long-term benefits. Choosing the right one depends on your personal and professional goals.
What is a 2-year employment visa in Dubai?
A 2-year employment visa in the UAE allows a foreign national to legally live and work in the country under the sponsorship of a UAE-licensed company. This visa is directly linked to your employer, meaning your residency status depends on your active employment.
To obtain the visa, several mandatory steps must be completed, including signing a valid labour contract, passing a medical fitness test (blood test and chest X-ray), submitting biometric data, and securing health insurance. Once approved, your residency is issued electronically and linked to your Emirates ID.
Approximate total costs
The total cost of a 2-year employment visa varies depending on whether the company is based in the mainland or a free zone, as well as the employee category and required services.
Mainland (Category 1 and 2 roles): AED 5,000–7,000 in standard cases.
Mainland (Category 3 roles): AED 6,500–12,000 due to higher fees and additional processing requirements.
Free zone visas: AED 3,500–6,500 depending on the package and jurisdiction.
These figures are estimates and may change depending on government updates, typing center charges, and bundled services such as entry permits, medical tests, and Emirates ID processing. Basic health insurance is usually included but may have limited coverage.
Who pays for the employment visa?
Under UAE labour law, the employer is fully responsible for all employment visa costs. This includes work permits, visa issuance, medical tests, Emirates ID, and government approvals.
Employees should not be asked to pay any part of the visa cost, either directly or indirectly. If such a request is made, the employment offer should be carefully reviewed.
Processing time
The employment visa process usually takes around one week after the employee arrives in the UAE.
Medical tests and biometrics: 2–3 days
Visa issuance and Emirates ID: 5–7 days after medical results
Sponsoring your family
Employees with a valid UAE residence visa can sponsor their spouse, children, and in some cases parents.
Requirements include:
- Minimum salary of AED 4,000 for spouse and children
- Minimum salary of AED 20,000 for parents
- Valid tenancy contract
- Attested marriage and birth certificates
Estimated cost per family member ranges from AED 2,000 to AED 4,000.
Renewal and cancellation
Employment visas are renewed by the employer every two years, provided the company remains compliant with UAE regulations.
The visa must be cancelled if employment ends due to resignation, termination, company closure, or contract expiry.
After cancellation, a grace period of 30 to 180 days is granted to either change visa status, find new employment, or exit the country.
Dependent visas are also cancelled when the primary visa is cancelled.
Important note
Staying in the UAE without a valid visa is not permitted. Always ensure your visa is active or properly transitioned to another legal status to avoid penalties or legal issues.
Expert Name
The lowest-cost options are typically 0-visa packages. For instance, an ePublishing license in SPC Free Zone may start from around AED 4,999. This base price usually covers company registration, a one-year trade license, and a basic flexi-desk or registered address. However, it often excludes visa costs, immigration fees, office upgrades, and banking requirements.
The process generally involves selecting your business activities, submitting the required documents and application, paying the applicable fees, signing a lease agreement, and receiving your trade license. If visas are needed, you’ll then open an immigration file. Delays can occur due to incorrect activity selection, missing documents, or additional approvals.
Yes, many free zones allow remote company registration and initial documentation. However, you will usually need to visit the UAE later for visa-related procedures such as medical tests and biometrics, and often for opening a corporate bank account.
Banks typically request your trade license, company formation documents (MoA/AoA), proof of address, lease agreement, shareholder passports, Emirates ID (if applicable), and a business profile outlining your operations. Additional documents like bank statements, CVs, and contracts may also be required.
In some cases, yes — but it depends on your situation. A 0-visa package works best if you already have UAE residency. Many banks prefer or require a resident signatory with an Emirates ID, so non-residents may face limitations or longer processing times.
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