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Fast Zone Corporate Services

Visa Services

Employment Visa

Work permits and residence visas for the people you hire

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Get a fixed quote

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No obligation. We reply within one working day and never share your details.

Or call Jaleel +971 52 432 9060 or Mis Shabi +971 50 314 9109

What this involves

An employment visa lets your company legally sponsor a staff member to live and work in the UAE. It combines a work permit from the labour authority with a residence visa from immigration, and both must be in place before the employee starts work.

The process differs between mainland and free-zone companies. Mainland employers deal with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, while free-zone employers work through their zone authority. We handle whichever applies to your licence.

Getting this wrong is expensive. Employing someone without a valid work permit exposes the company to fines and can affect your ability to sponsor future visas, so the sequence matters.

What's included

  • Work permit or labour card application
  • Entry permit for staff arriving from outside the UAE
  • Status change for candidates already in the country
  • Medical fitness test booking and coordination
  • Emirates ID registration and biometrics
  • Residence visa stamping
  • Labour contract drafting and submission

Who this is for

  • Companies hiring their first employee in the UAE
  • Businesses bringing staff from overseas
  • Employers converting a visit visa holder to employment status
  • Companies expanding headcount under an existing licence
Free consultation

Not sure if you need this?

A short call will tell you whether this applies to your situation and what it actually costs — before you commit to anything.

Ask a question

Documents you'll need

We'll confirm exactly which of these apply to your case before you start gathering anything.

  • Employee passport copy, minimum 6 months validity
  • Passport-size photograph, white background
  • Attested educational certificates, for skilled roles
  • Signed offer letter or employment contract
  • Company trade licence and establishment card
  • Immigration establishment card
  • Existing visa copy, for candidates already in the UAE

How long it takes

Typical government processing times. Individual cases vary by nationality and emirate.

  1. Work permit application

    3–5 working days

    Submitted to MOHRE or the free-zone authority.

  2. Entry permit issuance

    3–5 working days

    Allows the employee to enter the UAE on employment status.

  3. Status change or entry

    1–3 working days

    For candidates already in the country, status is changed without leaving.

  4. Medical fitness test

    1–3 working days

    Blood test and chest X-ray at an approved centre.

  5. Emirates ID biometrics

    1–2 working days

    Fingerprints and photograph captured.

  6. Visa stamping

    3–5 working days

    Residence visa issued and linked to the passport.

What it costs

ItemFrom
Employment visa, inside the UAEIncludes medical, Emirates ID and stampingAED 4,500
Employment visa, from outside the UAEAED 5,200
Work permit feeVaries by company category and roleAED 1,500
Medical fitness testAED 350
Emirates ID, 2-yearAED 390

These are indicative 2026 market ranges, shown so you can budget realistically. Government fees change and every case differs — we send a fixed written quote covering your exact activity, visa count and facility before you commit to anything.

Common questions

How long does the whole process take?

Typically two to four weeks from work permit application to a stamped residence visa, assuming documents are complete and the medical test result is clear. Candidates already in the UAE are usually faster than those arriving from overseas.

Can an employee start work before the visa is stamped?

No. They must hold at least a valid work permit and entry permit. Employing someone before that exposes the company to fines and can jeopardise future visa quota.

What happens if the medical test is not clear?

Certain communicable diseases result in the visa being refused and the applicant being required to leave. The test is mandatory and there is no route around it.

Do I need attested certificates for every role?

Only for skilled and professional positions. Requirements vary by job title and by emirate — we confirm what your specific role needs before you start attestation, which is slow and costly to redo.

Related services

Let's get this handled

Tell us your situation and we'll tell you exactly what's involved, what it costs and how long it takes.

Get a fixed quoteBook a consultation

Or call Jaleel +971 52 432 9060 or Mis Shabi +971 50 314 9109