The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will introduce a new visit visa classification effective June 30, 2025, enabling skilled professionals to enter the country without the need for an employer sponsor.
The new kind of visa is an aspect of wider actions by the United Arab Emirates’ authority to improve labor market adjustability and attract global talent across major industries.
Based on the updated guidelines, the Visit Visa for Work intentions will allow individuals to undertake short-term employment assignments or explore job prospects in the country for 120 days.
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This indicates a significant adjustment from the existing visitor and job seeker visa structures, which previously restricted work-related activities.
WHAT THE NEW VISIT VISA MEANS
The United Arab Emirates’ federal authority for identity, citizenship, customs, and port security (ICP) verified that the visa will be obtainable in three single-entry period alternatives, which include 60, 90, and 120 days. Significantly, the visa can be acquired without local support or a verified employment offer.
The visa is aimed at freelancers, independent contractors, recent graduates, and skilled experts seeking short-term job opportunities in the United Arab Emirates.
QUALIFICATION MEASURES
To be eligible, candidates are required to satisfy a minimum of one of the following standards:
- Hold certifications in skill levels 1, 2, and 3 as described by the United Arab Emirates’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
- Has a bachelor’s program or higher.
- Be a recent graduate within the past 24 months from one of the world’s top 500 institutions.
- Indicate evidence of financial means enough to sponsor their stay.
The guideline aims to ensure that visa recipients meet occupational and educational requirements while maintaining financial self-sufficiency.
VISA FEE FORMAT
The base request fee will vary based on the selected period, with all candidates required to provide a refundable safety deposit of $272.26. Additional government and service fees are also applied.
- For visit periods of 60, 90, and 120 days, the base visa charge is $54.45, $81.68, and $108.90, respectively. A safety payment of $272.26 is needed for every alternative. Additional fees may apply, including service and government charges for the 60-day alternative. Candidates making an application from within the United Arab Emirates will also be required to reimburse an additional $136.13 processing fee.
Candidates presenting their applications from within the UAE will get an additional processing fee of $136.13.
Qualified persons may make an application via any of the following patterns:
- Online: Through the UAE’s official smart services portal.
- Customer Happiness Hubs: Walk-in requests are approved nationwide.
- Amer Service Hubs (Dubai only): For in-person requests and processing.
The required documents include identification, evidence of academic or occupational certifications, and proof of financial means.
WHAT YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND
The launch of this visa aligns with the United Arab Emirates’ broader economic strategy to diversify its labor force, encourage innovation, and support emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, clean energy, and technology. It also strengthens the nation’s role as a provincial center for freelancers and project-based experts.
Officials anticipate that the visa will positively contribute to the private industry and the nation’s long-term economic objectives by promoting skill mobility and simplifying access for skilled individuals.
