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 additional services required.

For mainland companies (Category 1 and 2 roles), costs typically range between AED 5,000 and AED 7,000 in straightforward cases.
For Category 3 roles, the cost may increase to AED 6,500–12,000 due to higher government fees and optional services such as status changes.
In free zones, employment visas are generally more affordable, ranging between AED 3,500 and AED 6,500 depending on the selected package.

Please note that these figures are estimates and may vary based on government updates, typing center charges, or bundled services such as entry permits, medical tests, and Emirates ID processing. Basic health insurance is often included but may offer limited coverage.

Who pays for the employment visa?

According to UAE labour law, the employer is fully responsible for covering all employment visa costs. This includes:

• Work permit and labour card
• Visa application and issuance
• Medical fitness test
• Emirates ID
• Government approvals and labour registration

Employees should not be required to pay for their visa, either upfront or through salary deductions. If such a request is made, it is important to carefully review the contract and verify the legitimacy of the employer.

Processing time

The processing time for a 2-year employment visa is usually around one week after the employee arrives in the UAE.

Medical tests and biometric procedures typically take 2–3 days.
Final visa issuance and Emirates ID are generally completed within 5–7 days after the medical results are received.

Sponsoring your family

Employees holding a valid UAE residence visa can sponsor their immediate family members, including their spouse, children, and in some cases, parents.

To qualify for family sponsorship, the following requirements must be met:

• Minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000 for sponsoring a spouse and children
• Minimum salary of AED 20,000 for sponsoring parents
• Valid tenancy contract as proof of residence
• Attested marriage and birth certificates

The estimated cost of sponsoring each family member ranges from AED 2,000 to AED 4,000.

Renewal and cancellation

Employment visas are typically renewed every two years by the employer, provided the company remains compliant with UAE regulations.

The visa must be cancelled if the employment relationship ends. Common reasons for cancellation include:

• Company closure
• Job termination or redundancy
• Violation of company policies or UAE law
• Expiry of the employment contract

Once cancelled, the employee is granted a grace period (usually between 30 and 180 days) to find a new job, switch visa type, or leave the UAE.

Any dependent visas (family members) will also be cancelled once the primary visa is cancelled.

Important note

Staying in the UAE without a valid visa is not permitted. It is essential to ensure that your visa is either active or properly transitioned to another type (such as a freelance or investor visa) to avoid fines or legal issues.