UAE employment visa from Pakistan
At a glance
- Country
- United Arab Emirates
- Visa type
- Work
- Maximum stay
- 2 years, renewable
- Fee
- Paid by employer
- Processing time
- 1 – 4 weeks
- Where to apply
- Employer sponsorship
Employment in the UAE begins with an entry permit arranged by the employer, which is converted after arrival into a residence visa linked to that employer.
The sequence
Entry permit, travel, medical fitness test, Emirates ID registration, then residence visa stamping. Each step has a deadline after arrival, and the employer is responsible for completing them.
Costs
Employment visa costs are the employer’s responsibility. A demand that the worker pay for the visa, the medical or the Emirates ID is a warning sign worth acting on.
Your documents
Your passport remains yours. So does your Emirates ID. An employer who retains either is acting outside the rules.
How to apply
- Employer applies for an entry permit Issued before you travel, tied to that specific employer.
- Travel to the UAE On the entry permit, which is not yet a residence visa.
- Complete a medical fitness test Within the required window after arrival.
- Register for an Emirates ID Biometric registration, required before the residence visa can be issued.
- Residence visa stamped in your passport The final step, completed by the employer on your behalf.
- Failing the medical fitness test
- Missing the window to complete Emirates ID registration after arrival
- A criminal record check that has not cleared
Frequently asked questions
Who keeps my passport once I arrive?
Information is published for guidance and may change without notice. Confirm every requirement and fee with the destination country's embassy, consulate or official portal before travelling or paying anything. We are not an agent and do not charge for any guide.