Immigration Visa

The United Arab Emirates, with a population of 11 million as of 2024, comprises 11.50% Emiratis and 88.50% expat residents. Due to its economic growth, career opportunities, security, cultural diversity, excellent infrastructure, advanced healthcare, low crime rate, tax-free earnings, and many other benefits, the UAE has become a popular and well-sought-after destination and place of residence for many expatriates exploring long-term residency options like the 10-year Golden Visa and Investor Visa. Despite the introduction of VAT Registration in UAE and Corporate Tax in UAE, it is still the most coveted country for businesses, work and living.

Being a famous hub of multiculturalism, the UAE provides various visa options based on the individual's eligibility. With our experienced and dedicated corporate service professionals, we provide step-by-step assistance with visa applications, including Golden Visa applications and Investor Visa applications. We also support visa renewal, transfer, cancellation, amendment, and other processes related to obtaining temporary residency in the UAE. We offer comprehensive immigration and visa services to assist businesses in all aspects of their operations.

Employment Visa Application

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a prominent destination for expatriates seeking job prospects, wanting to start businesses, and wanting an enhanced quality of life. Its strategic location, favorable business climate, and tax-exempt salaries make the UAE an appealing choice for skilled professionals from around the globe. The UAE currently only has three main federal taxes: Value Added Tax (VAT), Excise Tax, and Corporate Tax. However, businesses and residents may also be subject to other levies and fees such as customs duties, municipality and tourism-related fees. The country does not impose personal income tax on individuals.

Offering an extensive range of diverse careers, non-citizens and migrant workers account for 90% of the UAE’s workforce. The most common and popular way of acquiring a residency in the UAE is through a work or employment visa. An employment visa may be valid for a duration of one year or two years. Individuals who have been hired in the UAE must acquire an employment visa or work permit to be able to work legally. With our comprehensive immigration and visa services for companies, you will be confident that we will deliver proactive guidance throughout the entire process.

The employment visa, being the standard type of visa that is sponsored by an employer in the government sector, private sector, or free zones, has the below key features:

  • Valid for 1 or 2 years
  • Sponsored by an employer
  • Renewable
  • Permits employees to work exclusively for the sponsoring employer (unless NOC is provided)

Employment Visa Application Requirements

To acquire an employment visa, a specific document list must be submitted to the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) or Freezone authority. These documents are as mentioned but not limited to below:

  • Passport of the Applicant
  • Cancellation Paper/ Current Visa Copy
  • Old Emirates ID Copy (if any)
  • Offer Letter
  • Passport Size Photo
  • Health Insurance Certificate
  • Attested Educational Certificate (for managerial designations)
  • Medical Fitness Certificate
  • Emirates ID Registration Form

Employment Visa Application Process

Excellence, with its skilled team of experts in business advisory services, facilitates the employment visa process of companies, allowing employers to be worry-free in terms of liaising with the UAE authority for the step-by-step process of hiring their staff. Below is a simplified process of how the employment visa application happens in the UAE.

  • Visa Quota Approval – Before making a decision of hiring an employee, the employer must have enough visa quota available in the company.
  • Signing of Employment Contract - Both the employee and employer need to sign an employment contract which outlines salaries, benefits, allowances, working hours, probation period, etc. The Ministry of Labor has their own standard format but employers can also have their own non-standard format customized for each employee as long as this aligns with the UAE and Ministry of Labor’s legislations.
  • Application for Entry Permit/ Work Visa - The Ministry of Labor will issue an entry visa prior to the employee’s arrival in UAE. This is normally valid for 60 days and the employee must enter the country within this period.
  • Medical Test Application — There are a few approved medical centres in the UAE where the medical test can be done. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) checks for infectious diseases (e.g., hepatitis B, HIV, and tuberculosis). Once cleared, the applicant will receive a medical fitness certificate noting their eligibility to work. There are three options for medical test application, which is normal (result comes within 48 hours), VIP (result comes within 24 hours), and SMART SALEM (result comes within 30 mins).
  • Emirates ID Biometric - All UAE residents have their own Emirates ID card which is not just used as an identification card but is a vital document for all residents and citizens in UAE in order to access various services within the country. A biometric appointment is required in order to register the individual’s fingerprints, facial image, and other biometric data necessary into the system.
  • Acquiring a valid Health Insurance - It is the employers’ responsibility to provide health insurance coverage for their employees under UAE labor law. This can range from the basic package up to premium depending on the employer’s prerogative.
  • Visa Stamping - Prior to 2021, UAE visas are physically stamped on the employee’s passport. Now, visas are being issued digitally/ electronically and are linked to Emirates ID card. This makes the visa stamping process much faster and more efficient.

Golden Visa

The UAE’s Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa designed for foreign talents, allowing them to live, work, or study in the country while enjoying a range of exclusive benefits. These include renewable residence visa valid for either 5 or 10 years (once the application is submitted - UAE Golden Visa approval is issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) or GDRFA Dubai). The Golden Visa enables holders to benefit from not requiring a local sponsor, being able to stay outside the UAE for extended periods beyond the usual six months without jeopardizing their residency status, and the ability to sponsor family members, including spouses and children, regardless of their ages. Additionally, they can sponsor an unlimited number of domestic helpers, and if the primary holder passes away, family members can remain in the UAE until their permit duration ends.

Individuals can qualify for the Golden Visa through various avenues. For instance, investors may receive a 10-year Golden Visa without needing a sponsor, while property owners can obtain a 5-year renewable visa under similar conditions. Entrepreneurs who own innovative economic projects are also eligible for a 5-year visa. Moreover, outstanding specialized talents, such as doctors or athletes, along with pioneers in humanitarian work, can qualify for this visa as defined under the Golden Visa eligibility criteria. Each Golden Visa application is subject to specific conditions and requirements set by the relevant authorities. So applicants often seek professional Golden Visa Consultancy to ensure compliance and assistance with the Golden Visa Application.

Why Choose Excellence

Excellence not only specialize in accountancy services, bookkeeping services, etc. As business advisors, we also offer consultancy and support services to facilitate companies' seamless visa application experience. This makes the hiring procedure much faster and easier for employers and employees.

The UAE continues its advancement with the help of technology and the great minds of its people to ensure a much smoother, more systematic, and streamlined approach to attract global talents and businesses to stay in the UAE with initiatives like the 10-year Golden Visa. Excellence is readily available to assist individuals and businesses with visa and golden visa services in adapting to these changes and improvements in the UAE way of life.