UAE Employment Visa Cost 2026: Start With Official Fees Only
The 2-year employment visa cost in Dubai is not one single government fee. It is a chain of official steps: MOHRE work permit, job offer and contract, entry permit or status change, medical fitness, Emirates ID, health insurance where required and residence processing. The biggest mistake is taking one number from the internet and assuming it covers the full file.
This guide is for employers, HR staff and workers who need to understand the official cost structure before starting a new employment visa in Dubai or another UAE emirate. It does not replace the official MOHRE, ICP or GDRFA fee cards for your exact application, but it gives you the practical 2026 checklist.
Official MOHRE Work Permit Fees for 2026
| Official item | MOHRE published amount | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit application | AED 50 | Applies to Category 1, 2 and 3 in the MOHRE service card. |
| 2-year work permit issuance, Category 1 | AED 250 | Lower official permit fee for compliant category. |
| 2-year work permit issuance, Category 2 | AED 1,200 | Higher official permit fee based on classification. |
| 2-year work permit issuance, Category 3 | AED 3,450 | Highest listed category in the MOHRE service card. |
| Business centre commission cap | AED 72 per service in the permit package | MOHRE states this cap for business centre services including job offer, employment contract and permit applications. |
| Website and smart app | Free except federal fees | MOHRE states the service is free via website and smart app except federal fees, excluding tax and collection charges. |
Why Company Classification Changes the Price
The UAE Government portal explains that the cost of issuing and renewing a work permit ranges from AED 250 to AED 3,450, depending on the company classification. The classification reflects compliance with UAE labour law, Wages Protection System rules, MOHRE resolutions, workers’ rights and diversity policy. Companies with a record of violations and non-compliance can fall into a higher category.
For employers, this means labour compliance is not just a legal issue. It can affect the official work permit fee for new hires and renewals. Before hiring, the company should check establishment status, quota, WPS compliance, category and any pending MOHRE issues.
What Is Included in an Employment Visa File?
- Company quota and establishment eligibility check.
- Job offer preparation and employee signature.
- MOHRE work permit application and approval.
- Entry permit or inside-country status change where applicable.
- Medical fitness test.
- Emirates ID application and biometrics if required.
- Health insurance where required by emirate and visa category.
- Residence visa processing through the relevant immigration authority.
- Labour contract finalisation and employee records.
The work permit fee is only one official component. The final government and authority cost depends on the emirate, employee status, whether the person is inside or outside the UAE, medical and Emirates ID steps, insurance requirements, typing or centre channel and any fines or corrections.
MOHRE Process and Timeline
MOHRE describes the service for issuing a new work permit from overseas as a service for establishments wishing to recruit or employ a worker from outside the country. The service process includes logging in with UAE Pass or credentials, submitting the application, MOHRE verification, correcting shortfalls, issuing the permit after requirements are complete and paying federal fees, bank guarantee or insurance upon approval.
MOHRE lists the service completion duration as 2 working days for the work permit stage. This does not mean the full residence visa, Emirates ID and medical process is always complete in 2 working days. The full file can take longer depending on approvals, appointment availability, medical fitness result, Emirates ID steps and whether the worker is inside or outside the UAE.
Basic Eligibility Conditions
| Requirement | Practical meaning |
|---|---|
| Electronic quota available | The employer needs a valid quota before the permit can proceed. |
| Employee 18 or older | MOHRE lists this as a condition for the new work permit service. |
| Valid company file and licence | The employer file should be active, compliant and authorised for the activity. |
| Signed job offer | MOHRE says a copy of the signed job offer must be attached. |
| Federal fees, guarantee or insurance | Payment is required upon approval as applicable. |
Inside UAE vs Outside UAE: Why Cost and Process Change
If the employee is outside the UAE, the route normally begins with a work permit and entry permit so the worker can enter and complete the remaining residence steps. If the employee is already inside the UAE on a cancelled visa, visit visa or another status, the file may require inside-country status change. That can change the authority steps and official charges.
If the worker recently had a visa cancelled, first check the grace period, fines and cancellation paper. Yalah has a separate guide on UAE visa cancellation grace period 2026, which is important before starting a new employment visa.
What Employers Should Prepare Before Applying
- Trade licence and establishment card details.
- MOHRE login access or authorised signatory access.
- Quota approval or quota availability.
- Employee passport copy with sufficient validity.
- Passport-size photograph as per UAE format.
- Education certificate or professional documents where required.
- Signed job offer and salary details.
- Current visa or cancellation document if the employee is inside the UAE.
- Health insurance information where required.
Official Fees vs Yalah Dubai Service Charges
This article intentionally lists official government and authority charges only. It does not publish Yalah Dubai professional service fees, package prices or PRO charges. Professional service charges vary by employee location, company status, document condition, urgency, emirate, medical and Emirates ID requirements, typing needs and whether corrections or fines exist.
Before quoting any service charge, the file should be checked. That protects the client from a wrong estimate and protects the application from being started with missing documents.
Employment Visa Cost Checklist for Business Owners
- Check the company category and MOHRE compliance status.
- Confirm quota availability before promising a joining date.
- Identify whether the worker is inside or outside the UAE.
- Check cancellation paper and overstay fines if the worker is already in the UAE.
- Prepare passport, photo, job offer and supporting certificates.
- Confirm medical fitness and Emirates ID requirements.
- Use official portals and fee cards for final government amounts.
- Keep receipts, approvals and status change proof in the employee file.
How Employment Visa Records Connect With Corporate Tax
Employers should keep employment visa, work permit, salary and HR cost documents because staff costs also affect accounting records. If your company is preparing UAE Corporate Tax filing, clean payroll and employee records support the accounting file. Qaspro Global has a related guide to UAE Corporate Tax filing service 2026 for business owners preparing the EmaraTax return.
Common Cost Mistakes to Avoid
The first mistake is comparing only the work permit fee and ignoring the rest of the residence journey. The second mistake is assuming every company pays the same work permit fee. The third mistake is starting the application before checking the employee’s current visa status. A person inside the UAE with a cancelled visa may need fines cleared or status changed before the new employment route is complete.
The fourth mistake is forgetting timing. A work permit service card may show a 2 working day completion duration for that stage, but medical fitness, Emirates ID, insurance and residence processing are separate practical steps. If the employee must start work by a fixed date, HR should build a calendar around approvals, appointments, public holidays and document readiness.
When Should You Ask for a File Review?
Ask for a file review before promising a final start date, before the current visa grace period ends, before booking travel and before accepting an internet quote that does not mention company category. A review can identify missing quota, expired licence, wrong job title, missing certificate, passport validity issues, unpaid fines or an inside-country status-change requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a 2-year UAE work permit in 2026?
MOHRE lists the 2-year work permit issuance fee as AED 250 for Category 1, AED 1,200 for Category 2 and AED 3,450 for Category 3, plus a AED 50 application fee.
Does the AED 250 to AED 3,450 range include the whole employment visa?
No. That range is for work permit issuance and renewal according to company classification. The full employment visa file may include other official steps such as entry permit, status change, medical fitness, Emirates ID, residence processing and insurance.
How long does the MOHRE work permit stage take?
MOHRE lists the service completion duration for the new work permit service as 2 working days, provided requirements are complete. The full residence visa process can take longer.
Why is one company’s work permit fee higher than another’s?
The official work permit fee depends on company classification. The classification reflects compliance with UAE labour law, WPS, MOHRE requirements, workers’ rights and diversity policy.
Can Yalah Dubai tell me the exact total before checking documents?
No. The official fee structure can be explained, but the exact total depends on the worker status, employer category, emirate, document condition, medical, Emirates ID, insurance, fines and corrections. Yalah Dubai does not publish fixed service charges in this guide.
Is health insurance part of the employment visa cost?
Health insurance may be required depending on emirate and visa process. Employers should confirm requirements for the relevant authority before submission.
Can an employee inside the UAE change status without exiting?
Often yes, if the application and status change are completed correctly before the permitted stay ends. The exact route depends on current visa status and immigration file.
What documents does the employee usually need?
Usually passport copy, photo, current visa or cancellation paper if inside the UAE, and any certificate required for the role. The employer also needs company and MOHRE file documents.
What if the company has no quota?
The employer must resolve quota availability before the new work permit can proceed. MOHRE lists electronic quota availability as a condition.
Where should I check the final official fee?
Check the MOHRE service card, UAE Government portal, ICP or GDRFA service card depending on the exact stage and emirate.
Need Employment Visa File Checking?
Yalah Dubai can check your company status, quota, worker documents, cancellation paper, medical and Emirates ID route before the application starts. WhatsApp +971 52 580 2100 for document review. No fixed Yalah service fee is listed here because each file must be checked first.
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