By Adil Ahmad, Business Setup Consultant at Gulf Corporate Services · Last updated
Summary
A 2-year Dubai employment visa usually costs about AED 3,000 to 7,000 per employee. The total covers the MOHRE work permit, entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, residence visa and health insurance. The work permit alone ranges from AED 250 to 3,450, depending on the company’s MOHRE category. Under UAE law, the employer pays. This guide covers fees, renewal, the process and FAQs.
Dubai Employment Visa Price: Full 2-Year Cost Breakdown
A Dubai work visa is really three approvals: the MOHRE work permit, the GDRFA residence visa and the Emirates ID. Most “work visa price” quotes only show one of them. Here is the full picture for a new mainland employee, using approximate 2026 figures:
| Cost item | Approximate cost (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MOHRE work permit application | 50 | Per application |
| MOHRE 2-year work permit | 250 / 1,200 / 3,450 | Category 1, 2 or 3 company |
| Entry permit (employee outside UAE) | 300 to 1,200 | GDRFA or ICP |
| Change of status (employee inside UAE) | 650 to 1,000 | Only instead of an outside-entry route |
| Medical fitness test | 320 to 800 | Normal or express |
| Emirates ID (2 years) | About 370 | ICP fee plus service charges |
| Residence visa issuance | 500 to 1,000 | GDRFA in Dubai |
| Health insurance (per year) | 600 to 2,500 | Mandatory, employer’s cost |
| Typing and service fees | 200 to 600 | If using a typing centre or PRO |
| Typical total per employee | 3,000 to 7,000 | Category 1 firms at the low end |
Remember that the entry permit and the change of status are alternatives. You pay one or the other, not both.
MOHRE Work Permit Fees by Company Category
The biggest variable in your Dubai work permit cost is your company’s MOHRE classification, not the employee. The MOHRE work permit service lists these federal fees for a two-year permit:
| MOHRE category | Who falls here | 2-year work permit fee (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Highly compliant firms meeting extra criteria | 250 |
| Category 2 | Compliant companies, where most SMEs sit | 1,200 |
| Category 3 | Firms with violations | 3,450 |
Business centres can charge a commission capped at AED 72 per service, as Khaleej Times explains. Keeping your company compliant with WPS salary payments and Emiratisation rules is the easiest way to keep visa costs low.
UAE Employment Visa Cost: Mainland vs Free Zone
| Factor | Mainland company | Free zone company |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | MOHRE plus GDRFA or ICP | Free zone authority plus GDRFA or ICP |
| Work permit fee | AED 250 to 3,450 by category | Usually included in the zone’s visa fee |
| Typical total | AED 3,000 to 7,000 | AED 3,000 to 5,500 |
| Visa quota | Linked to office size and MOHRE | Linked to package or office size |
| Where employee can work | Across the UAE | Inside the free zone, unless permitted |
If you are still choosing a structure, compare our guides to mainland company formation and free zone company setup.
1 Year vs 2 Year Employment Visa Price in Dubai
Many people search for a 1-year employment visa price. Most mainland work permits and residence visas are issued for 2 years, and some free zones offer 1-year or 3-year options.
- 1-year visa: often costs nearly the same as a 2-year visa, because the medical, entry permit and processing fees do not halve
- 2-year visa: the standard option, and usually the best value
- 3-year visa: available in some free zones, with higher residence and Emirates ID fees
For most employers, the 2-year visa gives the lowest cost per year.
Dubai Work Visa Price for Indian, Pakistani and Other Nationals
Government fees for a Dubai employment visa do not change by nationality. An Indian, Pakistani, Filipino or British employee costs the employer the same MOHRE, GDRFA and Emirates ID fees. What can change:
- Degree attestation: costs and timelines vary by home country
- Medical results: some nationalities may need extra tests
- Recruitment agency fees: these are the employer’s cost and must not be charged to the worker
If someone abroad offers you a “Dubai work visa” for a large upfront fee, treat it with caution and check the job offer on the MOHRE app.
Who Pays for the Dubai Employment Visa: Employer or Employee?
Under UAE labour law, Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the employer pays for the work permit, residence visa, medical test, Emirates ID and recruitment costs. These cannot be deducted from the employee’s salary.
What the employee may still pay:
- Flights, unless the contract says otherwise
- Certificate attestation for their degree, if the employer does not cover it
- Visa costs for their own family members
If an employer asks you to pay for your work visa, that is not allowed, and you can raise it with MOHRE.
Dubai Work Visa Process Step by Step
- Check the company’s visa quota and establishment card.
- Apply for the MOHRE work permit with the job offer and employee documents. Approval usually takes 2 to 5 working days.
- Get the entry permit, or apply for a change of status if the employee is already in the UAE.
- Employee enters the UAE, usually within 60 days of the entry permit being issued.
- Complete the medical fitness test at a DHA-approved centre in Dubai.
- Give biometrics for the Emirates ID.
- Arrange health insurance and receive the residence visa.
- Sign and register the employment contract with MOHRE.
The full process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. Our PRO services team can run the whole file for your company.
Where Employers Apply: MOHRE, GDRFA and ICP
- MOHRE: work permits and employment contracts for mainland companies, through the MOHRE app, website or Tasheel and Tawjeeh centres
- GDRFA: entry permits and residence visas for Dubai, through the GDRFA Dubai portal and Amer centres
- ICP: Emirates ID and residence for other emirates, through ICP smart services
- Free zones: most free zones handle the whole visa through their own online portal
Our mainland UAE visas service manages these channels for mainland employers.
Documents Required for a Dubai Employment Visa
- Employee’s passport, valid for at least six months
- Passport photo with a white background
- Signed job offer
- Attested degree certificate for skilled roles
- Company trade licence and establishment card
- Health insurance policy
- Previous visa cancellation, if the employee was in the UAE before
Dubai Employment Visa Medical Test Fees
The medical fitness test checks for certain infectious diseases and includes a chest X-ray for most applicants.
- Normal service: from about AED 320, with results in a few days
- Express or VIP service: about AED 500 to 800, with faster results
- Who pays: the employer
Dubai Employment Visa Renewal Cost
When the 2-year visa expires and the employee stays with the same company, the employer renews:
| Renewal item | Approximate cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| MOHRE work permit renewal | 250 / 1,200 / 3,450 by category |
| Medical fitness test | 320 to 800 |
| Emirates ID renewal | About 370 |
| Residence visa renewal | 500 to 1,000 |
| Health insurance | 600 to 2,500 per year |
| Typical renewal total | 2,000 to 6,000 |
Renewal is a little cheaper than a new visa because no entry permit or status change is needed. Start about 30 days before expiry. Urgent renewal is possible for an extra service fee.
Visa Cancellation, Grace Period and Overstay Fines
- Cancellation: the employer cancels the work permit and residence visa when the job ends
- Grace period: most cancelled residence visas get about 30 to 60 days to find a new sponsor or leave
- Overstay fine: AED 50 per day after the grace period, under the standardised rules on the UAE government portal
Employment Visa vs Other UAE Work Options
- Investor or partner visa: for business owners who sponsor themselves through their own company
- Freelance permit: for independent professionals in approved activities
- Green Visa: a 5-year self-sponsored visa for skilled employees who meet the salary and degree rules
- Golden Visa: a 5- or 10-year visa for investors and top talent; see our UAE Golden Visa service
For the full residency picture, read our UAE residence visa guide and our Emirates ID guide.
Hidden Costs Employers Often Miss
- The establishment card and immigration file, a one-time company cost
- Visa quota limits that require a bigger office
- Health insurance upgrades for higher salaries or family members
- Degree attestation fees for skilled roles
- Penalties for late renewal or unpaid WPS salaries, which can push you into Category 3
Common Mistakes When Applying for a Dubai Work Visa
- Quoting only the work permit fee to the employee
- Paying both entry permit and status change fees by mistake
- Letting the company’s establishment card expire, which blocks new visas
- Using unattested degree certificates for skilled job titles
- Missing renewal dates and paying overstay fines
Expert Tip from Adil Ahmad
For small companies, the cheapest employment visa is the one you never have to redo. Keep your WPS payments on time, keep your establishment card valid and match job titles to qualifications, and MOHRE will keep you in a lower fee category. If you are hiring your first employees, set up the company with enough visa quota from day one; our guide on how to start a business in Dubai explains how. Use our business setup cost calculator to plan. If you also hire in Saudi Arabia, compare UAE rules with our guides to Qiwa in Saudi Arabia and Saudi labor laws for expatriates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a 2-year employment visa in Dubai?
Usually about AED 3,000 to 7,000 in total, including work permit, medical, Emirates ID, residence visa and insurance.
What is the MOHRE work permit fee in the UAE?
AED 250, 1,200 or 3,450 for two years, depending on the company’s category, plus an AED 50 application fee.
Who pays for the work visa in Dubai?
The employer pays by law. The cost cannot be deducted from the employee’s salary.
How long does it take to get a Dubai employment visa?
Usually 2 to 4 weeks from work permit to Emirates ID.
How much is the employment visa renewal cost in Dubai?
Usually about AED 2,000 to 6,000, depending on the company category and insurance.
Is a free zone work visa cheaper than mainland?
Often yes, typically about AED 3,000 to 5,500, because the work permit fee is bundled into the zone’s visa fee.
What is the medical test fee for an employment visa?
From about AED 320 for normal service, and more for express.
What is the overstay fine after visa cancellation?
AED 50 per day after the grace period ends.
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