UAE employment visa cost for an employer runs from about AED 2,200 to AED 6,800 per employee. That covers a two-year visa. The final figure depends on your MOHRE company category, the medical test you choose, and insurance. A refundable bank guarantee or insurance of AED 3,000 per employee sits on top of this.
This guide lists each fee, shows which figures are official, and gives a worked example for each category.
The government fees below come from the MOHRE work permit service page and other official portals. Some items, such as medical tests and insurance, are market estimates. Fees change, so confirm them on the portal before you budget.
UAE Employment Visa Fees: Every Cost at a Glance
A two-year employment visa has five government steps and several third-party costs. The table separates official fees from estimates.
| Cost Item | Amount (AED) | Type |
| MOHRE application fee | 50 | Official |
| Two-year work permit | 250, 1,200, or 3,450 by category | Official |
| Work entry permit (Dubai, applicant outside UAE) | 200 plus 5% VAT | Official |
| Entry permit for a candidate inside the UAE | 500 plus 20 Dirham fees | Official |
| Residence permit, two years | 400 base fees | Official |
| Status adjustment, if the person is already in the UAE | 500 | Official |
| Medical fitness test, Dubai | 250 standard, 700 express | Published tariff |
| Emirates ID | 270 to 370 | Market estimate |
| Health insurance, basic plan | 600 to 1,100 a year | Market estimate |
| Typing and service center charges | 200 to 500 | Market estimate |
| Bank guarantee or insurance | 3,000 per employee | Official rule |
What UAE Employment Visa Expenses Include
UAE employment visa expenses fall into three groups. Government fees go to MOHRE, GDRFA, and ICP. Health costs cover the medical test and insurance. Service costs cover typing centers and any express handling. UAE employers pay fixed employment visa fees by category. Health and service costs vary based on your choices.
Most budgeting errors come from counting only the first group. A permit fee of AED 300 looks small until you add the medical test and insurance.
UAE Work Visa Cost by MOHRE Category
MOHRE places each company in one of three categories, and the category sets your work permit fee. The classification depends on skill level and workforce diversity inside the company.
| Category | Two-Year Work Permit | Plus Application Fee |
| Category 1 | AED 250 | AED 50 |
| Category 2 | AED 1,200 | AED 50 |
| Category 3 | AED 3,450 | AED 50 |
A Category 3 company pays AED 3,200 more per permit than a Category 1 company. Several competitor websites quote different figures, so check the MOHRE page before you finalize a budget.
MOHRE also lists the approval conditions. The company needs an available electronic quota and a valid license. The worker must be 18 or older and must not hold an active work permit.
Employment Visa Cost for Employers in the UAE: A Worked Example
The totals below add the official fees to the low and high estimates for each variable item. All three assume the candidate is outside the UAE.
| Item | Category 1 | Category 2 | Category 3 |
| MOHRE application and work permit | 300 | 1,250 | 3,500 |
| Entry permit with VAT | 210 | 210 | 210 |
| Residence permit, two years | 400 | 400 | 400 |
| Medical test | 250 to 700 | 250 to 700 | 250 to 700 |
| Emirates ID | 270 to 370 | 270 to 370 | 270 to 370 |
| Health insurance | 600 to 1,100 | 600 to 1,100 | 600 to 1,100 |
| Typing and service charges | 200 to 500 | 200 to 500 | 200 to 500 |
| Total per employee | 2,230 to 3,580 | 3,180 to 4,530 | 5,430 to 6,780 |
For a team of ten Category 2 hires, the visa budget ranges from AED 31,800 to AED 45,300. Add AED 30,000 if you use bank guarantees instead of insurance. The guarantee is held, not spent, but it ties up cash.
Employer Visa Costs UAE: What You Pay and What Staff Pay
Employers carry the cost of recruiting and visa processing. UAE labor law does not allow a company to recover recruitment fees or visa costs from the worker.
| Employer Pays | Employee Pays |
| MOHRE work permit and application fee | ILOE unemployment insurance subscription |
| Entry permit and residence visa fees | Family sponsorship costs |
| Medical test and Emirates ID | Dependants’ insurance, where applicable |
| Health insurance, where the emirate requires it | Optional extras such as upgraded insurance |
ILOE is a mandatory scheme that employees must subscribe to. Rates are small, but confirm them on the ILOE portal.
UAE Work Permit Cost: Inside the UAE vs Outside
Hiring a candidate already in the UAE usually costs more at the entry stage, not less. The GDRFA Dubai service page lists AED 500 for an entry permit issued inside the country. It adds AED 10 in Knowledge Dirham and AED 10 in Innovation Dirham. For a candidate abroad, the fee is AED 200 plus VAT.
A status adjustment of AED 500 also applies when a person moves from a visit visa to a residence visa. The ICP residency permit service lists this fee. Together, these add roughly AED 800 to the budget compared with a hire from abroad.
The work entry visa is valid for 60 days from entry. The candidate must finish residency steps within that window. Otherwise, overstay fines of AED 50 per day apply.
Hidden Visa Costs Employers Miss
Most budgets cover the headline fees and miss the extras. Review this list before approving a hiring plan.
- Renewal every two years: the full cycle repeats, including the medical test and Emirates ID.
- Replacement permits: MOHRE allows a replacement or nationality change within six months, up to two times. Profession and gender must stay the same.
- Express processing: an express medical test costs AED 700, compared to AED 250 for standard.
- Overstay fines: AED 50 per day applies to a worker who stays beyond the entry period.
- Failed hires: a resignation in probation wastes the entire visa spend.
The last item is the one most budgets ignore. A bad hire costs far more than the visa. Our guide on the true cost of a bad hire explains how that cost builds.
How to Control Visa Spend When You Hire
Visa cost is a fixed price per head, so the best savings come from fewer failed hires. Follow these steps.
- Confirm your MOHRE category before you budget, since it drives the biggest fee.
- Use digital channels. MOHRE says its website and app are free, apart from federal fees.
- Check candidate availability early. Notice period and visa status decide how fast the permit can start.
- Screen for retention. A hire who leaves during probation turns a visa fee into a sunk cost.
- Use contract staffing for short projects. The agency carries the visa cost, not you. Our temporary staffing service covers this.
Caliberly confirms nationality, visa status, salary, and notice period on every shortlist. This happens before you pay for a permit. You pay the fee only after the candidate joins, and a 90-day free replacement guarantee applies. Explore our permanent recruitment service or see all employer services. To discuss a hiring plan, get in touch with Caliberly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a UAE work permit?
MOHRE states that processing takes two working days once the application is complete. The Dubai work entry visa takes about 48 hours. The full cycle, including medical and Emirates ID, usually takes longer.
Do UAE nationals need an employment visa?
No. Emiratis do not need a visa, so these fees do not apply. Emirati hiring follows a separate process. Our Emiratisation recruitment service covers it.
Can I replace a worker after the permit is issued?
Yes, within six months of issuance, and up to two times. The profession and gender must remain the same. You must cancel the replaced worker’s entry permit first.
What documents does MOHRE need for a work permit?
You need a passport copy valid for six months and a color photo on a white background. You also need a signed job offer form and academic certificates matching the skill level. Some professions need a license from the relevant authority.
What happens if a new hire overstays the entry period?
Under ICP rules, an overstay fine of AED 50 per day applies. The stay to complete residency must not exceed 60 days from entry. Start the medical test and Emirates ID steps on arrival.
Planning to hire? Submit your hiring requirement and our team will respond with a search plan. You then get a shortlist you can budget against. Compare local pay expectations in our Abu Dhabi salary guide.
