If you’re searching for the work visa Dubai cost, the short answer is that a standard two-year employment visa usually totals AED 3,000 to AED 7,000. Several 2026 guides converge on this band, though itemised totals range from about AED 1,670 at the low end to AED 12,000+ in expensive mainland Category 3 cases. Some consultancies quote a wider ceiling of AED 15,000 for complex cases. realestateclubdubai
The more important point is that your employer is the one who pays. Here is what the fee covers, why prices vary, and what you may still pay yourself.
Quick Answer: How Much Does a Dubai Work Visa Cost?
| Route | Typical total (2-year visa) | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland employer | AED 3,000–7,000 | Employer |
| Free zone employer | Often lower, with bundled fees | Employer |
| Large non-compliant mainland firm | Higher, up to AED 12,000+ | Employer |
| Visit visa to employment status change | Similar fees plus a change-of-status step | Employer |
These are estimates. The final figure depends on the company’s MOHRE category, typing-centre charges and insurance.
Who Pays for a Work Visa in Dubai?
The employer pays 100%. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, companies cannot pass employment-visa fees on to the employee, and a request that you pay your own work visa is a red flag. dubaimoneymatters
If a recruiter or employer asks you for a “visa fee” or “processing deposit,” treat it as a warning sign and verify the job offer through official channels.
Employers can reasonably expect you to cover personal costs such as your flight, attested certificates and your own supplementary health cover.
Dubai Employment Visa Cost Breakdown
A Dubai work visa is not one fee. It is a stack of line items that changes with the route. The typical components are: realestateclubdubai
1. MOHRE work permit fee
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation charges a work permit fee that depends on the company’s category. Category 1 companies, the best-rated and most compliant, pay roughly AED 250 for a skilled two-year permit. Lower categories pay more. One mainland cost guide gives a typical Category 2 fee of AED 1,200. realestateclubdubai
2. Entry permit
This lets you enter the UAE for employment. Guides put it at roughly AED 500–1,000. shuraa
3. Medical fitness test
This is mandatory for residency. Quotes vary by centre. One free zone lists AED 365 per person, while other guides cite AED 500–800.
4. Emirates ID
This is required for residency and typically costs about AED 370–570.
5. Residence visa stamping and typing fees
These are the GDRFA stamping fee and the typing-centre service charges (Amer or Tas’heel). Centre charges differ, so the totals above are averages.
6. Health insurance
Insurance is mandatory. Budget AED 320–1,000 for the visa-linked policy cost, and note that a basic plan often runs AED 1,500–2,000+ per year.
Mainland vs Free Zone: How the Cost Changes
Mainland visas run through MOHRE, so company category drives the price. One employer-focused guide estimates that free zone hiring saves AED 1,000–2,500 per employee, mostly through lower work permit fees and simpler establishment card processing rather than the visa itself.
Free zone visas are bundled differently. For example, one free zone lists a visa allocation fee of AED 1,600 per visa plus the medical test. Always ask what the quoted price includes, because bundled and itemised prices are not directly comparable.
Why Work Visa Costs Vary
- Company category: a more compliant company pays lower permit fees.
- Emiratisation compliance: companies with 50 or more employees that haven’t met their Emiratisation quotas face work permit fees at the high end, AED 3,450 per permit. immigrationstartguide
- Profession: engineering, medicine and other regulated roles need certificate attestation before the permit is issued, which adds time and cost.
- Typing centre and speed: fast-track processing costs extra.
- Insurance level: a basic plan costs far less than a comprehensive one.
- Visa duration: one-year, two-year and three-year visas price differently. One guide places a 1-year residence visa at AED 1,500–3,000 and a 3-year visa at AED 3,700–5,472.
How Long Does It Take?
A standard process usually takes 2–4 weeks, or about 5–7 working days with fast-track processing. The steps are:
- Job offer and signed contract
- Work permit approval from MOHRE
- Entry permit
- Entry (or status change if you’re already in the UAE)
- Medical test and Emirates ID biometrics
- Residence visa stamping
If you’re already in Dubai on a visit visa, an employer can usually convert you to an employment visa without leaving. Expect similar fees plus a status-change step.
Hidden Costs to Plan For
Even when the employer pays the visa, budget for:
- Health insurance renewals after the first year
- Document attestation and translation for degrees and certificates
- Renewal fees, which one guide puts around AED 3,000–7,000 depending on visa type and services
- Relocation costs such as flights, a deposit and first-month rent
How to Reduce Your Work Visa Cost (For Employers)
- Check your MOHRE category and improve compliance, because it directly lowers permit fees.
- Compare mainland and free zone before you hire at scale.
- Bundle applications, since batching several hires saves processing and admin time.
- Plan for Emiratisation so you avoid the highest permit tier.
- Use a licensed PRO or visa consultant to avoid rejections, which cost time and repeat fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a work visa cost in Dubai?
A standard two-year employer-sponsored visa typically costs AED 3,000–7,000 in total fees, with higher totals in some mainland cases.
Does the employee pay for a work visa in Dubai?
No. By law, the employer covers the work visa cost. Employees should be wary of any request for payment.
Is a free zone work visa cheaper than a mainland visa?
Often, yes, mainly because of lower work permit and establishment-card costs. The saving varies by free zone and package.
How long does a Dubai work visa take?
Usually 2–4 weeks, or about a week with fast-track services.
Can I switch from a visit visa to a work visa?
Yes. The employer applies for the permit and the visa status is changed, usually without leaving the country, with similar fees plus the status-change step.
Is health insurance included in the work visa cost?
The visa-linked insurance is part of the process and is mandatory. Ongoing annual premiums are a separate recurring cost.
What documents do I need?
Typically a passport copy, photo, signed offer or contract, and attested certificates for regulated professions. Requirements vary by role and company.
Get Your Exact Work Visa Cost in Dubai
Fees change with your company category, route and profession, so a generic range only gets you so far.
visa specialists will give you an itemised quote in 24 hours. We handle the work permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping so you don’t lose weeks to rejections.
No obligation. Transparent pricing. Licensed PRO support across Dubai.
