Key takeaways
- The MOHRE two-year work permit for a new UAE hire costs AED 250 to AED 3,450, plus a federal application fee of AED 50, depending on the employer's MOHRE category (as of 17 October 2026).
- On the published fee schedules, a two-year mainland employee visa for one hire costs about AED 1,157.50 at the lowest MOHRE category and about AED 4,357.50 at the highest, before the medical test, health insurance and any typing centre charges.
- MOHRE requires either a bank guarantee of AED 3,000 per worker or a labour insurance premium; the listed premiums are AED 137.5 for skilled labour and AED 180 for low-skilled labour (as of 17 October 2026).
- The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) lists the residence permit at AED 100 for the application, AED 100 per year, AED 100 for Smart Services and a AED 20 deposit, and the Emirates ID at AED 100 per year of validity plus AED 100 for Smart Services.
- Free zone companies get their visa fee schedules from their own free zone authority, so the MOHRE and ICP figures on this page are a baseline for mainland companies, not a quote for a free zone.
What does a UAE employee visa cost in 2026?
A mainland employee visa costs from roughly AED 1,160 to over AED 4,350 in published government fees for a two-year visa, and the gap comes almost entirely from the MOHRE work permit category. The table lists each fee the official pages state.
| Cost item | Amount (AED) | Charged by | Notes (as of 17 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal application fee | 50 | MOHRE | Categories 1, 2 and 3 |
| Two-year work permit, Category 1 | 250 | MOHRE | Lowest category |
| Two-year work permit, Category 2 | 1,200 | MOHRE | |
| Two-year work permit, Category 3 | 3,450 | MOHRE | Highest category |
| Labour insurance premium | 137.5 skilled; 180 low-skilled; 250 high-risk establishments not compliant with the wage protection system | Insurer, via MOHRE | Per certificate; the alternative is a AED 3,000 bank guarantee per worker |
| Residence permit | 100 application + 100 per year + 100 Smart Services + 20 deposit | ICP | Per application; 2 days service time |
| Emirates ID | 100 per year of validity + 100 Smart Services | ICP | Urgent service adds AED 150 |
| Medical fitness test | Not published | Health authority | See the medical section below |
| Typing centre commission | Up to 72 per service | Business centre | MOHRE cap; free if you apply directly on the MOHRE site or app |
What are the MOHRE work permit fees?
MOHRE charges a AED 50 federal application fee plus a two-year permit fee of AED 250, AED 1,200 or AED 3,450, depending on the employer's category. The permit is issued in two working days according to MOHRE's service page, and applying through the MOHRE website or app carries no business centre commission.
The category is a property of your company, not of the hire. The u.ae portal says permit fees run from AED 250 to AED 3,450 by company classification, and that companies with a history of violations are placed in the highest category. MOHRE's page uses Categories 1 to 3 and doesn't define them, so check your classification in your MOHRE account before you budget.
MOHRE's fees exclude tax and collection charges, so the final bill can run slightly higher. Workers earning under AED 4,000 a month, or without a degree, aren't treated as skilled.
What do ICP residence and Emirates ID cost?
ICP charges AED 100 to apply for a residence permit, AED 100 for each year of issuance, AED 100 for Smart Services and a AED 20 financial security deposit; the Emirates ID is separate at AED 100 per year of validity plus AED 100 for Smart Services. For a two-year permit that adds up to AED 420 for the residence and AED 300 for the card, if both Smart Services fees apply.
ICP lists a two-day service time for the residence permit and five days for a standard Emirates ID, delivered by courier. Employment residence needs a medical report, the employment contract and the MOHRE work permit, so the order of steps matters.
AED 250 to AED 3,450: the range for the two-year MOHRE work permit fee, which decides most of the difference between a cheap and an expensive employee visa. Source: u.ae work permits page and MOHRE new work permit service page, checked 17 October 2026.
What other costs come with an employee visa?
Four costs sit outside the visa fees themselves: the labour insurance or bank guarantee, the medical test, health insurance, and the employee's unemployment insurance subscription.
- Labour insurance or bank guarantee. Under Ministerial Resolution No. 318 of 2022, an employer can post a AED 3,000 bank guarantee per worker, valid for one year and renewable, or buy insurance at AED 137.5 for skilled labour or AED 180 for low-skilled labour. Cover is up to AED 20,000 per worker.
- Medical fitness test. The exam takes about 40 minutes and results arrive in one to two days by email and SMS. The official service page doesn't state a fee; MOHAP directs applicants to its call centre on 80011111.
- Health insurance. Dubai requires employers to insure employees, and Abu Dhabi requires employers to insure employees and their families. The u.ae basic package lists a premium of AED 320 per year, but actual premiums depend on the insurer and emirate.
- Unemployment insurance (ILOE). Employees subscribe at up to AED 5 a month (AED 60 a year) on a basic salary under AED 16,000, or up to AED 10 a month (AED 120 a year) above that. The fine for not subscribing is AED 400.
If you'd rather not track these dates by hand, the free UAE compliance calendar lists them for your company: a free calendar of your company's UAE tax and compliance deadlines, personalised from a few questions, as a PDF and calendar file.
Do free zone companies pay the same visa fees?
No: free zone visa fees are set by each free zone authority, so the schedule your free zone quotes in writing is the one that applies. ICP states that free zone companies must submit their establishment card through their Free Zone Authority, and that a company needs a signed authorisation letter and a valid Emirates ID for one authorised signatory.
For mainland companies, MOHRE lists a AED 406 Ta'qeem fee for the establishment card. ICP's establishment card page shows application, issuance and Smart Services fees of AED 100 each, but its fee lists aren't labelled by category, so confirm with your authority which lines apply.
How much should you budget for one hire?
For a hypothetical mainland company hiring one skilled employee on a two-year visa, budget at least AED 1,157.50 at Category 1, AED 2,107.50 at Category 2 and AED 4,357.50 at Category 3, before the medical test and health insurance.
| Line | Category 1 (AED) | Category 2 (AED) | Category 3 (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOHRE application + two-year permit | 300 | 1,250 | 3,500 |
| Labour insurance (skilled) | 137.5 | 137.5 | 137.5 |
| ICP residence permit (two years) | 420 | 420 | 420 |
| Emirates ID (two years) | 300 | 300 | 300 |
| Total | 1,157.5 | 2,107.5 | 4,357.5 |
This illustration assumes insurance rather than a bank guarantee and counts both Smart Services fees; if ICP charges only one, each total drops by AED 100.
What most guides don't tell you
- Fix violations before you hire. A violation history moves your company into the highest permit category, so a clean MOHRE record can save up to AED 3,200 per permit (AED 3,450 less AED 250).
- A failed candidate costs money. MOHRE allows a permit to be replaced, or the nationality changed, within six months of issuance and up to two times, but the profession and gender must stay the same. If the hire changes role or the candidate falls through for another reason, expect to pay for a new permit.
- A quoted "visa package" may bundle fees you could pay directly. MOHRE caps business centre commission at AED 72 per service, so ask for an itemised invoice that separates government fees from service charges.
- The 60-day entry window runs while the paperwork waits. ICP gives a new entrant 60 days from entry to complete issuance, then lists an overstay fine of AED 50 per day, so schedule the medical test early.
Which deadlines apply to your company?
The free UAE compliance calendar lists the deadlines that apply to your company, personalised from a few questions, as a PDF and calendar file.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get an employment visa for a new hire in the UAE?
A mainland company first obtains a MOHRE work permit, then completes the medical test, and then applies to ICP for the residence permit and Emirates ID. Free zone companies file through their free zone authority.
How long does a UAE employment visa take to process?
MOHRE lists two working days for the permit, the medical results take one to two days, ICP lists two days for the residence permit and five days for a standard Emirates ID. If each stage runs back to back, that adds up to about ten to eleven days, and these are published service times, not guarantees.
What is an establishment card and why do I need it?
An establishment card is a company's registration record with MOHRE, and permit applications are filed against that establishment. MOHRE lists a AED 406 fee and a two working day processing time, with a valid trade licence as a condition.
What is an immigration card for free zone companies?
ICP's service that covers free zone companies is the establishment card, and free zone companies must submit it through their Free Zone Authority. Ask your free zone whether it uses the term immigration card and which fees it charges.
What is the medical test and Emirates ID process for new employees?
The employee takes a medical fitness exam of about 40 minutes at an approved health centre and gets the result in one to two days. ICP then issues the residence and Emirates ID; applicants aged 15 and over complete fingerprints and a signature at a service centre, and the card arrives by courier.
About Qawi · Qawi is a corporate services firm licensed in the Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) free zone, handling company formation, visas and PRO, bookkeeping, VAT and corporate tax for UAE businesses. Guides are researched from FTA, Ministry of Finance and free zone sources. Qawi on LinkedIn
Sources
- MOHRE: Issuance of a New Work Permit, Overseas
- u.ae: Work permits
- u.ae: Insurance system for employees in the private sector (Ministerial Resolution No. 318 of 2022)
- ICP: Issuing Residency Permit
- ICP: New Identity Card Issuance
- ICP: Issuing an Establishment Card
- MOHRE: Issuance of Establishment Card
- Emirates Health Services: Examination of Medical Fitness for Residency Visa
- u.ae: Getting a health insurance
- u.ae: Insurance against job loss (unemployment insurance scheme)
Last checked: 17 October 2026
This is general information, not tax or legal advice for your specific situation.