Work residence visa (inside country)
Employment residence for a worker already in the UAE, from entry permit to stamping.
How it works
- 1
Documents
You
- 2
Reviewed by MARIO E.G.S.H AI
MARIO E.G.S.H AI
- 3
Submitted at GDRFA
Runner at GDRFA
- 4
Medical & biometrics
You
- 5
Visa issued
GDRFA
Documents required
Employee passport copy
copyValid at least 6 months (GDRFA and MOHRE)Personal photo, white background
copyApproved MOHRE work permit (mainland private sector)
copyOnly if: Private-sector mainland employersValid trade licence and establishment card of the employer
copyOnly if: For the MOHRE work permit stepBoth must be validOfficial MOHRE job offer form, signed by the employer and the employee
copyOnly if: Employers under MOHRE (mainland private sector)Attested degree certificate
in some casesoriginalattestedOnly if: MOHRE: skill levels 1-2 need a bachelor's degree or higher, levels 3-4 a diploma or higher, level 5 a high-school certificate; levels 6-9 need none.Professional licence from the competent authority
in some casescopyOnly if: Only for licensed professions, for example doctors, nurses, teachers, fitness trainers and advocates (MOHRE)Copy of the home-country national ID card, both sides, valid and clear
in some casescopyOnly if: Workers from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq or Iran (MOHRE); ICP also asks Afghan, Iranian and Iraqi nationals for itCurrent visa / cancelled residence of the employee
in some casescopyOnly if: A copy of the current visit visa or cancelled residence helps the team check the status change; GDRFA's work visa page does not list it.
Conditions, time and validity
- For employers under MOHRE, the MOHRE work permit must be approved before GDRFA Dubai issues the work visa.
- Previous residence (if any) must be cancelled; the employee must be in the UAE legally.
- MOHRE work permit conditions: the employee is 18 or older; the employer's licence is valid with no violation that suspends it; the application is made by the establishment's authorised signatory; the employee has no other active work permit; the job fits the company's activity.
- Moving from another employer inside the UAE: MOHRE's transfer permit must be applied for within 90 days of cancelling the previous work permit.
- Processing time
- GDRFA Dubai: 48 hours for the work visa. MOHRE: 2 working days for the work permit. Medical, Emirates ID and residence follow; under the Work Bundle the whole process was announced as about 5 working days.
- Validity of the result
- The work visa lets the worker stay 60 days from entry to finish the residence (GDRFA). The MOHRE work permit is valid two years; the private-sector residence is two years, renewable.
- Where it is applied for
- GDRFA Dubai website and smart app (24/7) or Amer centres; MOHRE through its website, smart app or business service centres; the joint Work Bundle on Invest in Dubai / Work in UAE.
Steps at the authority
- Employer obtains MOHRE work permit (offer letter / contract signed).
- Centre submits the work entry permit with status change.
- Medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics.
- Residence stamping (a separate service: residence visa stamping for an employee).
Tips that save you a trip
- Keep a copy of the cancellation paper from the previous employer; the grace period runs from that date.
Common reasons for rejection or delay
- Work permit not yet approved by MOHRE, or establishment card / trade licence expired.
- Previous employer has not cancelled the old residence/work permit.
- Labour ban or absconding report on the file.
- The employee still has an active work permit with another employer, or the transfer is applied for more than 90 days after the old permit was cancelled.
Checked by the MARIO E.G.S.H team on 2026-10-08. Rules can change at any time; our consultant confirms the details for your case.
Official sources
- GDRFA Dubai – Visa Issuance for Foreigners linked with Job Contract
- MOHRE – Work Bundle launch (March 2024)
- Gulf Business (secondary) – MOHRE classification and work permit costs
- MOHRE - Issuance of a New Work Permit (Overseas)
- MOHRE - Issuance of a New Work Permit (Transfer Work Permit)
- MOHRE - Work Bundle expands to cover all emirates (11 June 2024)
- MOHRE - Zero Government Bureaucracy changes (12 November 2024)
Legal basis
Federal Decree-Law No. 29 of 2021; Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (labour relations); Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022
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