Employment Visa in Dubai for Expats: Complete Overview

Behind Dubai’s global workforce lies one system—the employment visa in Dubai

The employment visa in Dubai is the foundation of the city’s expatriate-driven workforce, supporting nearly 85–92% of the population and powering key sectors such as construction, hospitality, healthcare, and technology. With Dubai’s population reaching around 3.9 million, an estimated 3.3–3.6 million expatriates rely on an employment visa to live and work legally in the UAE. Most employment visas in Dubai are 2-year employer-sponsored permits, while free zone visas may extend to 3 years, and long-term options like Green and Golden Visas provide added flexibility for skilled professionals and freelancers. Growing employer demand, with 67% of companies planning workforce expansion, continues to drive strong employment visa activity across mainland and free zones.

Recent UAE government reforms have significantly streamlined the employment visa in Dubai process, reducing approval timelines through digital platforms such as the Work Bundle system. Standard work permit approvals now take as little as 5 working days, with full visa processing completed in 2–4 weeks, and express options available within 36–48 hours. Visa costs vary by type, typically ranging from AED 2,500 to AED 7,000, while premium fast-track services cost more. As Emiratisation policies evolve alongside economic growth, Dubai continues to ease approvals for high-demand roles, ensuring the employment visa in Dubai remains efficient, scalable, and essential for attracting global talent.