Dubai Labour Card & Employment Visa Explained
Do you move to Dubai because of a new career? Your employment and residence in the UAE are under legalised on the basis of two important interrelated documents Dubai Employment Visa (Residency) and Dubai Labour Card (Work Permit).
Determining Your Legal Status Visa vs. Work Permit
All expatriates should obtain two separate, but connected, government approvals before they are allowed to work.
Dubai Employment Visa (Residency)
This is a document that is issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) that enables you to have legal residency in Dubai and as such, this permits you to stay in the country.
- Entry Permit: This is the first electronic permit to legally enter the UAE with the purpose of employment.
- Dubai Residence Visa: The last status, which is normally encoded in digital or physical form in your passport and required to obtain your Emirates ID to acquire the Workers.
- Validity: The general Validity of Dubai Labour Card (and the related residence visa) is 2 years.
Dubai Labour Card Explained (Work Permit)
The official Work Permit in the UAE is the Dubai Labour Card. Now it is a digital document (or e-card) that is issued by MOHRE Labour Card (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) which states that your employment is legal.
- E-Contract Dubai: The Labour Card: The card will confirm your electronic contract has been registered and certified by MOHRE. This certified agreement underpins both the sides to the accepted Employment Contract Terms Dubai.
The New Employment Visa Process UAE (5 Critical Steps)
It needs to be launched and run by your Employer Sponsorship in Dubai, the whole of Legal Hiring Process Dubai.
MOHRE Work permit and Contract offer
This is done by the employer seeking an application with MOHRE regarding your work permit whereby the company submits the information that they have the quota to employ you as per your Occupational Classification MOHRE. The first job offer must be reviewed and signed digitally and the permit issued.
Entry Permit Approval
After getting the work permit, the employer requests the GDRFA to issue your Entry Permit that will enable you to fly into Dubai.
Arrival, Medical and Biometrics
Then, on arrival, there is a mandatory Medical Fitness Test UAE Visa (blood test and chest X-ray) at a certified center. Your fingerprints and iris scan are taken instantly as your Emirates ID.
E-Contract Dubai Registration and Attestation
The official electronic employment contract in the UAE has to be signed by you. Then the employer registers the Labour Contract Attestation Dubai with the MOHRE formalising your relationship of employment. You may check the details of your contract any time through the MOHRE service portal.
Visa Stamping and issuance of Emirates ID
Upon medical clearance and approval of the contract, your Dubai Residence Visa is stamped (or digitally updated) and your Emirates ID to Workers is given. This progression can be traced using the LMRA/GDRFA Visa Status Check portals.
Bosses Responsibilities and Expenditures (Know Your Rights)
One of the basic safeguards of the UAE Labour Law regarding Expat Workers is that the employer is obliged to cover the financial expense of the hiring procedure.
Rights of Pivotal Importance, Renewal, and Gratuity.
Core Worker Rights in Dubai
The legislation offers very strong safeguards to all expatriate employees:
- Salary Protection System (WPS) UAE: The system allows your salary to be paid on time through bank transfer which provides a great security over late or non-payment.
- UAE Labour Law Probation Period: The probation period should not exceed six months. Dismissal at this period must have a written minimum of 14 days notice.
- End of Service Gratuity UAE: When you have one year and above of uninterrupted service, you are legally entitled to severance pay. This will be calculated by your basic wage (21 days basic wage per first five years then 30 days basic wage per after 5 years).
- Work Permit Cancellation Dubai: In case termination or resignation, the employer is supposed to finalize the formal process of Work Permit Cancellation Dubai and then you get a period (in most cases 30 days) to rectify/change your status or leave the country.
FAQs
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What is the primary distinction between Emirates ID and a Labour Card?
MOHRE issues the Labour Card (Work Permit) that allows you right to work. ICA/GDRFA issues the Emirates ID, which is your compulsory national identity and the residency card.
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What is the way to check my official E-Contract Dubai data?
To access your Employment Contract Terms Dubai and view them in full transparency, you may use the official MOHRE service portal ( View Approved Contract) and insert your passport or application number.
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Who is paying the Fine to Expired Labour Card UAE?
The employer bears all the penalties and fines of any late processing or renewal of the Dubai Labour Card or Residence Visa.
Final Thoughts
Obtaining your Dubai Employment Visa and Dubai Labour Card is one of the milestones. Being aware of the Legal Hiring Process Dubai, being aware of the required expenditures and protection and verifying with the help of the official sources such as the MOHRE and the GDRFA portals you will have a reliable, legally stable base of your career in the UAE.
Disclaimer
The information provided on the job is posted out of educational and informative reasons. Before final decision/payment is made, it is necessary to check all the details (in particular the procedure, fees and terms of the contract) with the official employer, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or the GDRFA Dubai.