How to Get the Employment Visa in Dubai

Dubai, on the Arabian Peninsula, is the most populated city in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is known as a culturally sophisticated city and global business hub, and its businesses draw eager employees from all over the world. If you've received and accepted a job offer in Dubai, your employer will begin all the necessary paperwork to obtain you an employment visa. Once the employer has filed the appropriate paperwork, it's up to you to apply for a health card, labor card and residence visa so you can receive your employment visa to work in Dubai.

Step 1

Obtain a written job contract or job offer letter from a business in Dubai. When your prospective employer issues you written confirmation of a job offer, they begin the employment visa application process on your behalf.

Step 2

Wait for the employer to complete and submit the necessary application to sponsor you for a Dubai employment visa. Note that the employer is also responsible for paying the applicable employment visa processing fees. The United Arab Emirates immigration department will contact you when the information submitted by your employer has been verified.

Step 3

Submit to a medical examination and blood test to rule out diseases such as HIV, hepatitis C or tuberculosis. Submit your medical records, two passport-size photos and photocopies of your passport, written job offer verification and employment visa application (the one completed by your employer) to the Department of Health and Medical Services to obtain a health card; this step is mandatory for foreigners working in Dubai.

Step 4

Submit the necessary documents to Dubai's Ministry of Labor office to obtain a labor card. Include a passport-sized photo, three copies of your employment contract and photocopies of your entry visa, medical records and employer's labor license.

Step 5

Apply for a residence visa from the Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. Fill out the residence visa application form on-site and provide your original passport, original medical records or health certificate, original entry permit, two passport-size photos and photocopies of your labor card or labor card processing receipt.

ITEMS YOU WILL NEED

• U.S. passport
• Written job contract or job offer letter
• Medical records
• 5 passport-size photos