UAE Work Visa

There are a lot of misconceptions about the UAE work visa because of the labor system in place. The truth is that there are a few different visas available for both companies and individual workers, but for those planning to take on employment in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the best course of action is an L (labor) visa. It’s no small feat to be able to get your hands on one, but we’ve got some pointers below.

1: Determine what type of work you want to do in the UAE. There are two types — skilled or unskilled labor — so you will need to specify which one you plan on being when applying for your visa. If you have a job offer that involves both, then it's best to choose the unskilled labor visa. If you do not have a job offer, but plan on doing unskilled labor in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, then this is the visa for you.

2: Give UAE Immigration your resume and pay stubs indicating your salary. This will help the UAE authorities determine if you can afford for them to sponsor you for an L visa.

3: Tell the UAE authorities about any relevant work or school experience that might show them whether or not you are eligible for an L visa. They need to know that you have a good understanding of English, know how to calculate bills, and can get around in the city without major issues.

4: If you don’t have any of the above, but want an L visa anyway, then you’re going to have to wait until they can check your eligibility. This may take some time, so it’s best if you can find a job before applying for your visa.

5: Once your sponsor has found a job for you, they will need to submit paperwork to the Ministry of Labor in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Think of them as a stamp of approval — by submitting this form, their guarantee that you won't be taking work away from the citizen community and that they will follow up with any necessary requirements once employment begins.