You must obtain a Dubai Job Seeker Visa to legally work in Dubai if you are not currently living in the country. The visa allows you to look for employment for a specific time period (60 days, 90 days, or 120 days). During this time, you can attend interviews and look for a job in Dubai. The Job Seeker Visa does not allow you to engage in any other type of work.
It is very difficult to find a job in Dubai from abroad. Many people spend a lot of time and effort to create a strong job application only to not receive any feedback. Hiring managers in the UAE prefer to interview candidates who are already in the country because those candidates are able to come to the office for an interview at a moments notice and can start work immediately.
In the past, people were able to get around this by coming to the country on a tourist visa, but with the introduction of the Dubai Job Seeker Visa, people have a legal way to come to the country to look for a job. The Job Seeker Visa allows you to come to Dubai and look for employment without a company sponsor. You can also set the length of your stay to be 60, 90, or 120 days.
Everything you need to know to submit an online application for a 60, 90, or 120-day Dubai Job Seeker Visa is included in the following paragraphs, including both routes of the government’s eligibility assessment, full official fees, a refundable security, U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insured health insurance, attestation of the documents, and procedures to change the Visa to a residence permit upon sponsorship by a local employer.
What is the Job Seeker Visa?
The Job Seeker Visa is also known as the Self Sponsored Visa. It is an electronic single entry visit permit issued by GDRFA Dubai or the ICP. This visa allows applicants to control their relocation process, and gives them the opportunity to seek employment in the UAE without the necessity of a local sponsor (company) to process the employment and relocation visa.
After the Job Seeker Visa is issued, the applicant will have 60 days to travel to the UAE. Upon entry to Dubai, the applicant will have 60, 90 or 120 days, depending on the type of visa applied for, to find employment and/or relocate to the UAE.
| Feature | Dubai Job Seeker Visa | The prospective Employee is responsible for paying all costs associated with the job seeker visa. | The Employment Visa is issued by the UAE, and is, therefore, the responsibility of the UAE Employer. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is a Local UAE Sponsor Required? | No (100% self sponsored) | ||
| Is a UAE Job Offer Required Prior to Applying for the Visa? | No | No | Yes (the MOHRE Offer letter) |
| How Long Does the Visa Last? | 3, 4, or 5 months | Up to 3 months (extendable) | 2 years (renewable) |
| What Happens After the Visa Expiration? | The visa is valid for up to 6 months. | The visa is valid for up to 3 months. | The visa is tied to the first employer/job. |
| Is Attestation Required? | Yes (prior to visa issuance) | No | Yes (during the hiring process) |
| Is the Hiree Immediately Work-Ready? | No (Employee has to wait for the work permit) | No | Yes |
A traveler applying for the UAE Job Seeker Visa has already undergone vetting by the UAE, therefore, is work-ready, as opposed to a candidate traveling on a tourist visa who may also lose a job offer by the time the candidate’s degree gets attested.
There are two official routes to qualify for UAE permanent residency, which applicants must meet in addition to having at least a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and providing a financial guarantee. The two routes are:
1. The Skilled Professional Route (MOHRE Skill Levels 1, 2, and 3)
If you have previous work experience, you must be at Skill Level 1, 2, or 3, as defined by the MOHRE, to take this route:
- Skill Level 1: Presidents, Vice Presidents, Senators, Ministers, CEOs, Managing Directors, Mayors, Governors, Chairs, General Managers, Upper Management, Regional Managers, Directors, Department Heads, Senior Managers, Project Managers, Product Managers, Program Managers, Plant Managers, Marketing Managers, Operations Managers, Sales Managers, Human Resources Managers, Finance Managers, etc.
- Skill Level 2: Civil Engineers, Software Engineers, Medical Doctors, Pharmacists, Chartered Accountants, Financial Analysts, University Lecturers, Lawyers, Judges, Systems Architects, Nurses, Dentists, Social Workers, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Biomedical Scientists, Pharmaceutical Scientists, Forensic Scientists, Radiological Scientists, etc.
- Skill Level 3: Nursing Assistants, Healthcare Assistants, Engineering Assistants, IT Support, Finance Assistants, Legal Assistants, Management Assistants, Social Work Assistants, etc.
2. The Fresh Graduate Route (Top 500 World Universities)
If you are a recent graduate and do not have previous work experience in a managerial or technical role, you may still qualify if your degree is from one of the top 500 universities in the world and you graduate within the last two years prior to application.Practical Tip for New Graduates: Take a screenshot or download a PDF of your university’s current placement among the top 500 universities in the world, along with your graduation certificate. You will need to upload these with your application. Doing so may help you avoid delays where your case is sent “back for correction” by the ICP or GDRFA.
How Long Should Your Visa Be? 60, 90, or 120 Days?
When completing the online application for a Dubai Job Seeker Visa, you have to specify how long you would like your visa to be. The Government charges a different base fee for each, with the 90-day and 120-day visa options increasing by just AED 100 each compared to the 60-day visa option. You need to consider your personal situation and financial situation to determine how long your visa should be.
1. The 60-Day Job Seeker Visa
This visa is appropriate for people working in fast-paced industries (i.e. software development or retail management) or industries where high employee turnover is common (i.e. hospitality management). A 60-day visa would be an appropriate length of time for these types of individuals to find work in the UAE because they may already have work/recruitment agents in the UAE helping them with their job search.
2. The 90-Day Job Seeker Visa
A 90-day visa may be appropriate for professionals in digital marketing or other fields where recruitment and hiring is done by corporations (i.e. engineering and construction). A longer visa may be appropriate because a potential employee may be required to wait to secure a salary negotiation at a later stage in the hiring process. The length of the visa may be warranted if recruitment may take a while, especially if salary negotiations may occur later in the process.
3. Job Seeker Visa (120 Days)
This visa is for senior executives, specialized Healthcare and Finance professionals, and fresh graduates. Senior Executives and Specialists require a multi-level panel based interview and/or regulatory process (licensing) by DHA/DFSA, to practice in the Healthcare/Finance sector respectively. Fresh graduates need this visa to build a professional network and attend interviews.
The main benefit of this visa is that it allows the holder 120 days (4 months) to find employment. Employers in the UAE usually take advantage of job applicants’ situation by issuing employment offers with very short validity periods (5 days or less). Knowing that a job applicant needs a job to get a new visa to stay in the country, these employers usually offer low salaries. With this 120 day visa, job applicants have time to find employment without having to worry about getting a new visa.
Explanation of fees charged for the various Job Seeker Visa (60, 90 and 120 days) in Dubai.
ICU Fee Structure & ICP Smart Services Fee
The UAE Government has various channels through which businesses and individuals may apply for various UAE permits and services. In this regard, we have noted the following UAE government fees structure.
Please take note that all fees quoted above are exclusive of 5% UAE VAT.
Besides the fees above, the applicant is also expected to pay AED 1,000, which is also refunded upon departure, and AED 20 each for the guarantee warranty service and collection and return of the financial deposit.
Depending on the visa type and process (online or walk in) the total fees payable would range from AED 1,420 to AED 1,730. After the AED 1,000 deposit has been refunded the total remaining fees payable would range from AED 420 to AED 730.
It should be noted that if the applicant is already in Dubai, on a visit visa, he will have to pay an additional AED 500 to adjust his status to a job seeker visa.
The AED 1,000 security deposit is a financial guarantee and is refundable. The applicant is only required to pay this amount in lieu of a local sponsor. However, the guarantee is lost, in case the applicant violates the Immigration laws.
Your AED 1,000 deposit is refunded either automatically or by your request on the GDRFA or ICP portal when your visa status changes or you leave the UAE.
Your AED 1,000 deposit is refunded when:
- You change your visa status to a UAE Employment/Residence Visa.
- or
- You leave the UAE prior to the expiration of your current visa, and you do not have any overstay fines.
It may take 7 to 14 days (for GDRFA applications in Dubai) or 10 to 21 days (for ICP applications) for the refund to be processed to the account or card used for the initial payment.
Health Insurance for Job Seeker Visa
It is mandatory to have health insurance to enter the UAE on a visit or job seeker visa. The emergency rooms in the private hospitals in Dubai are first rate. An emergency room visit for a case of appendicitis or other similar conditions can easily cost you between AED 5,000 to AED 15,000 and above if you do not have health insurance.
How Health Insurance is Handled during Your Application
There are two ways to obtain mandatory Dubai Job Seeker Visa health insurance during your online application via ICP Smart Services or GDRFA Dubai. These options are:
- Portal Bundled Mandatory Basic Health Insurance: This is the Dubai health insurance offered in the application portal. As part of the online process with either ICP or GDRFA, you will be given an opportunity to purchase a health insurance policy sponsored by UAE insurance companies for the period of your intended visit. This health insurance will cover medical expenses and costs associated with hospitalization and emergency services in UAE.
- standalone UAE approved visitor Medical Insurance: The other option available is to purchase individual medical insurance for UAE. These policies are offered by insurance companies approved by Dubai Health Authority. These policies cover medical expenses and costs for emergency and unplanned medical services for a period of time that coincides with your intended visit to UAE. The minimum cover for these medical insurance policies should be AED 150,000.
An important consideration relating to your health insurance is to confirm that your credit card health insurance, if any, provides health insurance cover for a period of 60 or 120 consecutive days, if this is the case, this will serve as your health insurance cover for the period of your job search in UAE. However, it is important to note that the health insurance cover for credit cards are usually for period of less than 90 days. Therefore, for a Job Search visa of 90 days or more, this health insurance will not serve your purpose.
Documents Required for Applying for a Dubai Job Seeker Visa
You are required to upload scanned copies of the required documents in high resolution (in PDF/JPG format less than 2 MB each) prior to completing your GDRFA or ICP online application.
- Copy of Valid Passport: Applicant should have at least 2 empty visa pages and a remaining validity of no less than 6 months from the intended visit date to Dubai.
- Passport Size Photo: Taken not more than 6 months prior, with dimensions of 4.3 cm x 5.5 cm, in a plain background with a neutral expression and taken without eyeglasses and headcoverings (with exception of religious headcoverings).
- Bachelor’s Degree Certificate (attested): The university degree of the applicant should be attested. In case the degree is not in English or Arabic, the applicant should submit an attested legal translation in English or Arabic.
- Proof of Eligibility Route:
- Skilled Professionals (Route 1): Applicants should submit professional licenses, Employment verification and/or Experience Certificates stating the nature of their role is within MOHRE Skill Level 1, 2 or 3. An updated CV/Resume should be submitted as well.
- Fresh Graduates (Route 2): The university should be listed in the Top 500 universities in the world and endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Education.
- Bank Statement: Showing a minimum closing balance of USD $3000 to $5000/AED 11,000 to 18,500 for a period of 3 to 6 months, and issued by the bank.
- Health Insurance Certificate: Choose this during portal checkout or upload the UAE-compliant medical insurance as a PDF.
- Proof of Accommodation and Flight Reservation: Refers to a confirmed hotel/Airbnb booking or an Ejari/Tenancy contract in Dubai, along with a Booking/Reservation flight itinerary.
- National ID Copy (For Specific Nationalities): Required of Pakistani, Afghani, Iraqi, and Iranian nationals, and probably a few other nationalities, to upload clear front and back scans of their National ID cards.
Quick and Efficient Methods to ensure UAE Visa Approval and Job Offer.
- Recruitment windows in UAE: The months from September to November and January to April are the peak recruitment months in the UAE. Finally, the months of July and August are the lean months due to the bulk of senior managers taking their annual leaves.
How to Check Your Deposit Refund Status
Once your employment visa is issued or you leave Dubai, go to gdrfad.gov.ae and click ‘Refund Status Inquiry’ to check your refund status using your file number to check if your AED 1000 refund is being processed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is a sponsor or job offer required to process the Dubai Job Seeker Visa?
A sponsor is not required to process this visa. You do not need to have a UAE employer to sponsor you, be related to or be employed by an Emirati to process this visa.
2. Is the Dubai Job Seeker Visa multiple or single entry?
According to the UAE government website, the Visit Visa to Explore Job Opportunities is single entry. If your visa states multiple entries, you may leave and reenter the UAE during the validity of the visa.
3. What is the average processing time for the Dubai Job Seeker Visa?
Immigration states that it may take 2 to 5 working days to process your visa application if your documents are in order and submitted through the GDRFA or ICP Smart Services. Immigration may request an additional document of clarification. If this happens, it may take an additional 2 to 3 days to process your application.
4. Can I bring my spouse and children with me on a Job Seeker Visa?
You can’t bring your spouse and children with you on the Job Seeker Visa. The purpose of this visa is to allow you to come to the UAE to look for a job. You can sponsor your family only if you are employed and meet the conditions to sponsor (E.g. You are earning an income of not less than AED 4,000 or 3,000 with provided accommodation from the employer).
5. What happens if I can’t find a job within the time limit?
If you do not find a job within the time limit, you can extend your permit online to a maximum period of 180 days. If you do not find a job and your permit expires, you have to leave the UAE. You should leave at the end of the validity of your permit to get back your security deposit of AED 1,000 and to not have an overstay record.
6. Can I apply for a Job Seeker Visa for Dubai if my highest education is High School?
No. All applicants in the skilled professional route (levels 1-3 of MOHRE) or the recent graduates of the top 500 universities are required to have a Bachelor’s degree.
Final Thoughts
The Dubai job seeker visa gives graduates and professionals an opportunity to pursue employment in the UAE without using unethical recruitment agencies and undergoing stressful short term visa runs. The visa costs AED 1000, of which AED 420 to AED 815 (depending on the duration of your stay) is to be paid upon entry. The remaining AED 580 to AED 1,185 is refunded upon the expiry of your visa.
To apply, you will need your bachelor’s degree attested by your country’s embassy, a bank statement of the last 3 to 6 months, and apply for the duration that represents the hiring time frame for your profession. Then, proceed to apply at GDRFA Dubai, or ICP Smart Services. In the meantime, ensure you have valid health insurance.
With the visa, you are legally authorized to reside in Dubai, and you are able to use your time and energy in your job search instead of having to worry about the viability of your legal status. The facts that you are legally authorized to work, reside, and have your documents attested in Dubai, gives you an edge over your competition.