Visa & ComplianceDubai Job Zone Guide
UAE Work Visa Basics: What Candidates Need to Know
A plain-English overview of how UAE work visas typically work and what documents are needed.
7 min readUpdated 2/8/2026
How it Works
JobApplication
OfferIssued
DocumentCollection
VisaProcessing
WelcometoDubai
Documents checklist
- Passport with sufficient validity
- Degree attestation or verification
- Professional certificates if required
Common pitfalls
- Do not resign until offer terms are confirmed
- Verify employer’s visa sponsorship capacity
FAQ
Who pays for the work visa?+
In most cases the employer covers the visa costs.
Can I switch employers after arriving?+
It depends on contract terms and visa transfer rules.