Employment Visa Services
Hire and sponsor employees in Dubai with coordinated support for MOHRE work permits, employment contracts and GDRFA Dubai residence processing — while keeping establishment classification and Emiratisation obligations in view.
One Employee. Two Important Government Stages.
For a mainland private-sector employee in Dubai, the employment process generally combines the labour-side work permit and contract procedures through MOHRE with the residence-permit process through GDRFA Dubai.
BizCafe Coordinates the Full Journey
- ✓MOHRE job offer, work permit and employment contract procedures
- ✓Entry / in-country status requirements where applicable
- ✓Medical fitness and Emirates ID coordination
- ✓GDRFA Dubai private-sector residence processing
- ✓Renewal, cancellation and employee-transfer support
Your Company's Category Can Change the Work-Permit Cost
MOHRE classifies private-sector establishments into categories. The classification is not merely a label — it directly affects federal work-permit issuance and renewal fees.
Category 1
Establishments meeting the Ministry's higher classification standards and qualifying criteria receive the most favourable work-permit fee treatment.
Category 2
The standard middle classification for establishments that do not qualify for Category 1 and are not classified in Category 3.
Category 3
MOHRE may place establishments in this category for specified labour-market, worker-protection, diversity or serious compliance violations.
Factors That Can Influence Establishment Classification
The establishment category reflects more than headcount alone. MOHRE classification can be influenced by the company's compliance position, workforce structure and performance against applicable labour-market requirements.
Labour Compliance
Compliance with UAE labour legislation, worker-protection requirements, wage obligations and Ministry procedures can affect the establishment's standing and classification.
Emiratisation Performance
Meeting applicable Emiratisation targets and other qualifying performance criteria may contribute to more favourable classification treatment under MOHRE rules.
Workforce Diversity
MOHRE's classification framework considers labour-market and workforce-diversity factors, alongside the company's overall compliance profile.
Violations & Compliance Record
Serious labour-market, worker-protection or regulatory violations can lead to less favourable classification and higher employment-related government charges.
Company Performance
Classification can also reflect whether the establishment satisfies qualifying Ministry criteria intended to reward stronger labour-market practices.
Current MOHRE Status
The practical category for a transaction should always be checked against the establishment's current MOHRE record before calculating employment costs.
Good Compliance Can Mean Lower Employment Costs
Cost Per Employee
The difference between Category 1 and Category 3 is significant when a company hires or renews multiple employees. Classification therefore becomes an operational cost issue, not just a compliance issue.
Labour Compliance
Worker rights, wage obligations, labour-market rules and serious violations can affect an establishment's standing and classification.
Emiratisation Performance
MOHRE's classification framework can reward establishments that achieve qualifying Emiratisation performance and other Category 1 criteria.
Know When Emiratisation Targets Apply to Your Company
Emiratisation is a separate compliance obligation from obtaining an employment visa. Companies should check the rule before expanding headcount because the target depends on employee numbers, skilled positions and, for smaller establishments, the economic sector.
Companies With 50+ Employees
Private-sector establishments with 50 or more employees are required to achieve annual growth of 2% in the number of Emirati employees in skilled positions. MOHRE applies this as 1% semi-annual growth, with the first-half target checked by 30 June.
- ✓Target relates to skilled jobs.
- ✓Compliance is monitored during the year.
- ✓The programme reached the planned 10% overall growth target by 2026 under the phased framework.
Companies With 20–49 Employees
Selected private-sector establishments with 20 to 49 employees operating in specified economic activity sectors are required to employ at least one UAE national for the applicable year and retain UAE nationals already employed.
- !This does not apply automatically to every 20–49 employee company.
- !The establishment must fall within the sectors/activities designated by MOHRE.
- !Current applicability should be checked against the establishment's MOHRE record.
From Work Permit to Dubai Residence
Company Check
Review establishment status, quota, category and employment requirements.
MOHRE Permit
Process the applicable job offer, work permit and employment documentation.
Medical & ID
Coordinate medical fitness and Emirates ID requirements where applicable.
GDRFA Residence
Complete the Dubai private-sector residence permit process.
Employee Onboarding
Complete final documentation and support ongoing labour compliance.
Private-Sector Residence in Dubai
GDRFA Dubai currently states that a private-sector residence permit is issued for two years and is renewable for a similar period or periods under the same conditions.
Current GDRFA Published Basics
- ✓Passport copy
- ✓Recent personal photograph
- ✓Approved medical examination for applicants over 18
- ✓Published residence permit fee: AED 200, plus applicable Knowledge, Innovation, inside-country and delivery charges
Employment Visa FAQs
Why does the same employment visa cost differ from one company to another?
A major reason can be the company's MOHRE establishment classification. Category 1, Category 2 and Category 3 are subject to different work-permit fee levels, so the company's current category can materially affect employment cost.
What determines whether a company is Category 1, 2 or 3?
MOHRE's classification framework considers the establishment's compliance and qualifying criteria. Category 1 provides preferential treatment for qualifying establishments; Category 2 covers establishments that do not meet Category 1 criteria and are not in Category 3; Category 3 can result from specified serious labour-market and worker-protection violations.
Is the establishment category the only factor affecting employment visa cost?
No. Classification is an important factor, but the total employment process can also include medical fitness, Emirates ID, insurance, GDRFA Dubai residence charges, service charges and other transaction-specific costs.
How long is a Dubai private-sector residence permit?
GDRFA Dubai currently describes the private-sector residence permit as valid for two years and renewable for a similar period or periods subject to the same conditions.
Does Emiratisation apply to every private-sector company?
No. The main target applies to companies with 50 or more employees, while selected establishments with 20–49 employees in specified economic sectors are also subject to a UAE-national hiring requirement. The company's actual MOHRE status should be checked.
What is the Emiratisation target for companies with 50 or more employees?
MOHRE requires 2% annual growth in Emirati employees in skilled positions, implemented as 1% growth on a semi-annual basis.
Can BizCafe check our company category before we hire?
Yes. We can review the establishment information available for the transaction, explain the applicable work-permit fee structure and help the company plan the labour and residence process before hiring.
Know the Employment Cost Before You Start the Visa
Share your company and employee details with BizCafe. We can review the employment route, establishment classification considerations, Emiratisation position and Dubai residence process before you proceed.