Summary
A 2-year Dubai employment visa typically costs between AED 3,000 and AED 15,000, depending on your company’s mainland or free zone status, MOHRE classification, and age. Employers are legally required to cover most fees, including the work permit, medical test, and Emirates ID. This guide breaks down every cost, the application process, eligibility, and what happens if you change or lose your job.
Dubai remains one of the most in-demand destinations for professionals worldwide, thanks to its tax-free income and fast-growing job market. If you’re planning to work here, a 2-year employment visa is the document that makes it legal, and knowing its price before you start is the best way to avoid surprises. This guide covers the full cost breakdown, the step-by-step process, eligibility rules, required documents, and the questions applicants ask most.
Quick facts:
- Total cost usually falls between AED 3,000 and AED 15,000, depending on company type, job category, and age.
- The employer is legally responsible for the core visa fees.
- The visa is valid for two years and renewable as long as employment continues.
- Job loss doesn’t end your right to stay immediately; a grace period applies first.
What Is a 2-Year Dubai Employment Visa?
A 2-year Dubai employment visa is a residence permit that allows a foreign national to live and work legally in Dubai (and the wider UAE) under the sponsorship of a licensed employer. It’s issued once a company has hired you, obtained approval from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), and completed the medical and Emirates ID formalities.
Unlike a tourist visa, golden visa, or freelance permit, this one ties your legal residency directly to your job contract. Once approved, it opens the door to everyday essentials:
- Opening a personal bank account
- Renting an apartment or villa
- Applying for a UAE driving licence
- Accessing public healthcare facilities
- Enrolling children in local schools
- Sponsoring eligible family members
How it compares to other UAE work visas:
- Standard employment visa (2 years): Requires employer sponsorship; the most common route for private-sector jobs. See our complete guide to the UAE work permit for eligibility and renewal rules.
- Green Visa: A self-sponsored, 5-year option for freelancers and skilled employees, issued without a traditional employer sponsor.
- Golden Visa: A long-term track (5 or 10 years) for investors and top-tier professionals; many employment visa holders eventually transition here, as explained in our UAE Golden Visa guide.
Who Pays for a 2-Year Employment Visa in Dubai?
Under UAE labour law, the employer is legally obligated to cover the core costs of sponsoring a foreign employee: the work permit, entry permit, medical test, and Emirates ID. This is a standard employment benefit, not a courtesy, and UAE employment and labour laws apply regardless of company size or industry.
Some optional or personal costs are commonly left to the employee, such as:
- Family or dependent visa sponsorship
- Upgraded or premium health insurance
- Fast-track or VIP processing fees
- Document attestation for personal use
If a recruiter asks you to personally pay for core visa fees, treat it as a red flag and verify the offer directly with MOHRE.
Cost of a 2-Year Dubai Employment Visa: Full Breakdown
The total price depends on the company’s MOHRE classification, mainland or free zone status, and the employee’s qualification category and age. Here’s how each component breaks down.
Government and Entry Permit Fees
- Entry permit / initial approval: AED 500 to AED 1,000, depending on company category
- Visa stamping fee: AED 300 to AED 800
Labour Card or Work Permit Fees (by category)
MOHRE classifies employees into skill categories, and the labour card fee scales with it:
- Category 1 (bachelor’s degree or higher): AED 300 to AED 500
- Category 2 (post-secondary diploma): AED 500 to AED 1,000
- Category 3 (high school diploma or below): AED 1,000 to AED 5,000
Medical Fitness Test
Every applicant must pass a medical fitness screening at an approved centre, usually a chest X-ray plus a blood test for communicable diseases. Budget roughly AED 250 to AED 750. Our guide to the DHA medical fitness certificate for your visa explains the process for status-change applicants.
Emirates ID Fee
A 2-year Emirates ID typically costs around AED 370 to AED 600, including smart services and typing charges. Check your Emirates ID status online once submitted.
Mandatory Health Insurance
Health insurance is compulsory for every employee and usually ranges from AED 700 to AED 5,000 per year, depending on the coverage tier. Basic plans sit at the lower end; comprehensive plans with dependent coverage cost more.
Mainland vs. Free Zone: Does the Company Type Change the Price?
Yes, and it’s an overlooked cost factor:
- Mainland companies generally pay slightly higher government and labour card fees but give employees broader flexibility to work with UAE-wide clients.
- Free zone companies often have lower, bundled visa packages (sometimes from around AED 2,500 to AED 3,500), but work is typically restricted to that free zone’s scope of activity.
Comparing setup options as a business owner instead of an employee? Our breakdown of company formation cost in Dubai covers this in more depth.
Age Premium for Applicants Over 65
Employees aged 65 and above face an additional government premium, commonly around AED 5,000, on top of standard fees, regardless of mainland or free zone status.
Additional and Miscellaneous Costs
- Typing centre fees: AED 150 to AED 300 for document preparation
- Immigration processing fees: AED 300 to AED 800
- Refundable security deposit (select cases): around AED 3,000
Total Estimated Cost
| Cost Component | Approximate Range (AED) |
|---|---|
| Entry permit / initial approval | 500 – 1,000 |
| Labour card / work permit (Category 1-3) | 300 – 5,000 |
| Medical fitness test | 250 – 750 |
| Emirates ID (2-year) | 370 – 600 |
| Visa stamping | 300 – 800 |
| Health insurance (annual) | 700 – 5,000 |
| Typing centre and processing | 150 – 800 |
| Typical total | AED 3,000 – 15,000 |
Figures are approximate; always confirm exact charges with MOHRE, the ICP, or your PRO consultant, since amounts can change.
Step-by-Step Process for Getting a 2-Year Dubai Employment Visa
1. Job Offer and Employment Contract
Everything starts with a valid job offer from a licensed UAE employer. The company issues a MOHRE-approved offer template, followed by a contract that must match the offer terms exactly, in line with UAE employment and labour laws.
2. Initial Approval from MOHRE
The employer submits the contract and supporting documents to request approval to hire a foreign national, confirming the company is authorised to sponsor the role. You can track related requests through MOHRE’s enquiry services.
3. Entry Permit
Once approved, an entry permit is issued, allowing you to enter or remain in the UAE while residency formalities are completed. Applicants already inside the country go through a status change instead.
4. Medical Fitness Test
You’ll attend an approved medical centre for a chest X-ray and blood test, mandatory before the residency visa can be issued.
5. Emirates ID Application
After clearing the medical test, you apply for your Emirates ID, your primary identification for banking, healthcare, and government services.
6. Visa Stamping
The final step is stamping the 2-year residence visa into your passport, confirming your legal residency status.
Eligibility Criteria for a 2-Year Dubai Employment Visa
- Valid job offer from a licensed UAE-based employer
- Medical fitness clearance from an approved centre
- Minimum age of 18, with extra fees for applicants aged 65 and above
- Educational qualifications matching the job role, with attested certificates where required
- Clean criminal record, verified through standard background checks
Documents Required for a 2-Year Dubai Employment Visa
- Valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity
- Passport-sized photographs meeting UAE specifications
- Signed employment contract
- Medical fitness certificate
- Emirates ID application receipt
- Attested educational certificates (where applicable)
- No Objection Certificate (NOC), if switching jobs within the UAE
Renewing Your 2-Year Employment Visa
The visa is renewable every two years as long as your contract continues and your employer initiates renewal before expiry. Costs are generally similar to the initial application, covering the labour card, medical retest, Emirates ID renewal, and stamping fees again. Our guide to visa renewal in Dubai covers the timeline and documents needed to avoid late fines.
What Happens If You Lose Your Job in Dubai?
Losing a job doesn’t mean losing your legal status overnight. UAE regulations give terminated employees a grace period, typically 30 to 90 days depending on skill category, to secure new sponsorship or leave the country before penalties apply.
During this window, eligible employees can also claim support through the Involuntary Loss of Employment Insurance (ILOE) scheme, a mandatory policy offering temporary financial relief after job loss. If you need to end your residency altogether, our guide on how to cancel a UAE residence visa explains the correct procedure to avoid overstay fines.
Why Choose a 2-Year Employment Visa in Dubai?
- Stability: A longer validity period means fewer renewal cycles than older 1-year formats.
- Career access: Legal residency opens the door to better job opportunities and salary negotiations.
- Family sponsorship: Once your visa and salary meet the minimum threshold, you can sponsor eligible family members; see our UAE family visa cost and requirements guide.
- A pathway forward: Stable residency is often a stepping stone toward higher-tier options like the UAE Golden Visa.
Tips to Reduce the Cost of a 2-Year Dubai Employment Visa
- Negotiate visa coverage upfront. Most employers legally cover the core fees; confirm this in writing during the offer discussion, not after signing.
- Work with a reliable PRO service. A good PRO services in Dubai provider avoids the delays and resubmission fees that come from paperwork errors.
- Check for category exemptions. Some roles and industries qualify for reduced labour card fees; ask your HR or PRO consultant to verify.
- Choose group insurance where possible. Employers covering multiple staff usually access lower per-employee premiums.
- Get documentation right the first time. Missing attestations or mismatched contract details are the most common cause of costly delays.
- Plan renewals early. Starting well before expiry avoids late fees and rushed processing charges.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the employee pays by default. Core visa costs are the employer’s legal responsibility.
- Skipping the NOC when switching jobs. Missing this can delay your new visa or trigger extra fees.
- Letting the medical test lapse. Results have limited validity; other delays can force a costly retest.
- Ignoring grace period rules. Overstaying after job loss risks fines and future entry restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 2-year employment visa cost in Dubai?
Most applicants pay between AED 3,000 and AED 15,000, depending on the employer’s MOHRE category, mainland or free zone status, and age.
Who pays for the 2-year employment visa, the employer or the employee?
The employer is legally required to cover the core fees: work permit, medical test, and Emirates ID.
Is the visa cost different for mainland and free zone companies?
Yes. Free zone packages are sometimes bundled at a lower cost, while mainland companies may carry slightly higher fees but offer broader work flexibility.
How long does the entire application process take?
Most applications, from initial MOHRE approval to final visa stamping, are completed within two to three weeks, assuming documents are accurate and the medical test clears without delay.
Can I sponsor my family on a 2-year employment visa?
Yes, once your visa is issued and your salary meets the minimum sponsorship threshold, you can apply for dependent visas for your spouse and children.
What happens to my visa if I lose my job in Dubai?
You get a grace period, generally 30 to 90 days depending on your skill category, to find new sponsorship or leave the country. Eligible employees can also access the ILOE insurance scheme during this time.
Is the 2-year employment visa renewable, and does renewal cost the same?
Yes, it renews indefinitely as long as your employment continues, and renewal costs are broadly similar to the initial application.
Conclusion
A 2-year Dubai employment visa is a straightforward process once you understand the moving parts: government fees, labour card charges, medical and insurance costs, and the documentation MOHRE and immigration authorities expect. Your employer covers most of the bill by law, but knowing the full breakdown helps you negotiate confidently and plan your relocation without surprises. For hands-on help with visa processing, renewals, or setting up a company that can sponsor your own team, Incorpyfy is a trusted business setup consultancy in Dubai offering end-to-end PRO and visa support. Use our free business setup cost calculator to estimate costs, or get in touch for a personalised quote.
