UAE residence visa VS UAE employment visa
If you are planning to move to the UAE, you can get a job and have a UAE employment visa or get sponsorship to have a residence visa in UAE. Since these visa types are a bit confusing, Prospr is here to make the picture pretty clear. Whether you are starting your career journey in UAE or moving with an ambition to set up a business in UAE, our expert can make your move hassle-free. But first thing first, let us guide you regarding:
Difference between UAE employment visa and residence visa in UAE
Before we explain the main difference, you must know:
What is a UAE employment visa?
It’s a legal document that serves as a work permit for an individual who is going to work for a company. In simple words, UAE employment visa is issued for an employee by an employee and it states the name of the employer’s company. Once you have a UAE employment visa, you are allowed to work as an employee for a company.
Keep in mind that you are only allowed to work for a company who issues you a visa, if you get a visa from one company and then work for another company, it’s a criminal offense and known as absconding. Beware of absconding in UAE as it leads to deportation, fines and penalties.
What is a residence visa in UAE?
It is a temporary residence permit issued to foreigners who can stay in the UAE for a specific period of time. You can get 1, 2, or 3 years of residence visa in Dubai with a sponsor. Without a sponsor, you can get a residence visa for up to 5 or 10 years.
Know everything about :Residence visa in UAE
UAE employment visa vs UAE residence visa
It’s time to know the basic difference between both types of visa
Sponsorship
An employer or company will sponsor a UAE employment visa. Company and employer will be responsible for application and management of your visa. Residence visa is sponsored by a UAE resident who could be a family member or friend. You can also get a residence visa in Dubai by investing in Dubai or getting a property or retirement.
Validity
The validity of your UAE employment visa completely depends on your employment contract. It is issued for a specific job and valid for a limited time. If the job ends, this visa expires. Residence visa validity is usually long, it’s valid for 1, 2, or 3 years with a sponsor. And if you get it through retirement, investment or property purchase, it can be valid for up to 5 or 10 years.
Renewal
Your employer will renew your visa if they want you for the specific job and when the visa holder meets the renewal criteria. Once you have a residence visa, you are responsible for its renewal after expiry.
Read about UAE business visa; cost, requirements and eligibility criteria
Responsibilities
If you hold an employment visa, you must follow UAE Labor laws and regulations and keep working for a company until you get another visa. However, when you have a residence visa, you don’t have any such responsibility. It’s because your visa doesn’t tie to any specific job or employer.
You can work for any company or even set up a business by getting a trade license in UAE. As a residence visa holder, you can avail multiple privileges such as opening a bank account in UAE, getting your driver’s license or enroll in an educational institute.
Application process
Normally, your employer will apply for your visa and you only need to provide some necessary documents. The whole application process involves passing a medical fitness test, going through security checks, document attestation and verification. In case of a Dubai residence visa, you will work closely with your sponsor. In both cases, you need to provide essential documents and follow guidelines set by Emirates to ensure quick processing of your visa.
Authority
Employment visa in the UAE is issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). However, residence visas are issued by the General Directorate of Residency Foreign Affairs (GDRFA).
Grace period
If your work visa expires, you will be given one month of grace period. During that time, you can find another job or let your employee issue you a new visa. Or another option is to apply for a residence visa after visa cancellation. If your residence visa expires, you can renew it.
Flexibility
You don’t enjoy much flexibility with a work visa or employment visa. It restricts you to a specific company and you are not allowed to work with any other company. On the flip side, you can enjoy a great amount of flexibility with a residence permit. It makes it easy for you to live in the UAE and do a job for any company or become a freelancer. Investing in UAE, setting up a business or getting your own property becomes feasible with a residence permit.
Also understand the cost, eligibility criteria and documents required for UAE retirement visa
Difference between Residence and employment Visa in Dubai
| Criteria | UAE Employment visa | UAE Residence visa |
| Purpose | To work legally in the UAE | To live in the UAE without working |
| Sponsor | Employer | Family member, property investment, or self-sponsorship |
| Validity | Typically 2-3 years (depending on contract and employer) | Typically 2-3 years (depending on type of sponsorship) |
| Eligibility | Must have a job offer from a UAE-based employer | Family relationship, property ownership, retirement, or business investment |
| Application process | Initiated by the employer | Initiated by the individual or sponsor |
| Required documents | Job offer letter, passport, medical tests, labor card | Passport, medical tests, proof of sponsorship (marriage certificate, property documents, etc.) |
| Dependents | Can sponsor dependents (spouse, children) | Can sponsor dependents (spouse, children) |
| Health insurance | Provided by the employer | Must be arranged by sponsor or individual |
| Renewal | Renewable upon job continuation and employer’s sponsorship | Renewable upon continuation of sponsorship conditions |
| Mobility | Restricted to the sponsoring employer’s organization | Allows freedom to live anywhere in the UAE |
| Termination | Can be canceled if employment is terminated | Valid as long as the sponsorship conditions are met |
Prospr made visa processing simpler for you
Finally, you understand the difference between an employment visa and residence visa. You may have many other questions related to these visa types or any other. Whatever question you have, we can provide you with a satisfactory answer. Even when you are planning to invest in the UAE or thinking about setting up a business here, we can be a great help. Our market experts can provide you with a feasibility report for your business idea and help you locate the best investment opportunities. Send us inquiries to hello@prosprplus.ae
