First week
Time
1 to 3 weeks end to end
Cost
AED 1,500 to 4,000 (often employer-paid)
Difficulty
Hard
What to bring
Passport (6+ months validity)
Entry permit or status change (your sponsor arranges it)
Passport photos (white background)
Medical fitness test + biometrics appointments
Not needed: Attested documents for the visa itself (degrees matter for some job titles, not the stamp)
Your options
Your employer's PRO
The default route. They do it for you
Employer-paid
Companies process visas through their PRO (public relations officer). Your job is showing up to the medical and biometrics on time with your passport.
Amer centre (self-sponsored)
For freelancers and partner visas
AED 1,500 to 4,000
GDRFA-approved one-stop shops that type and file everything. Walk in, take a ticket, pay by card. Faster and friendlier than you'd expect.
Free-zone packages (e.g. virtual-work visa)
Remote workers and company-of-one setups
AED 5,000 to 15,000/yr
Free zones bundle a licence + visa quota. The remote-work visa is cheaper but needs proof of ~USD 3,500/month income.
Prices checked June 2026
Do it
- 1
Enter on the right permit
Your sponsor issues an entry permit, or you do a "status change" in-country. Don't start work on a tourist stamp.
- 2
Do the medical fitness test
Blood test and chest X-ray at an approved centre (Healthcare City is quick). VIP tiers cost AED 100 more and halve the wait.
- 3
Biometrics for the Emirates ID
Fingerprints and photo at an ICP centre or some Amer locations. Bring the application receipt and your passport.
- 4
Visa stamped, ID delivered
The residence visa attaches to your passport file electronically; the Emirates ID card arrives by courier about a week after biometrics.
Words you'll hear
Emirates ID
The resident ID card everything hangs off. Bank, lease, SIM, hospital desk. Guard it like a passport.
Amer centreAH-mer
Government-approved service centres that file your visa paperwork for a fee. Fast, English-speaking, take card.
PRO
Public relations officer. The person at your company whose actual job is chasing visas and stamps. Befriend them.
Common questions
Can I do it without leaving the UAE?
Yes. a "status change" converts a visit visa in-country, no flight needed. Your PRO or Amer centre files it as part of the process.
How long does the whole thing take?
With an employer driving, typically 1 to 3 weeks from medical to Emirates ID in hand. Self-sponsored routes add the permit step first.
What happens if I leave the UAE for a long stretch?
A residence visa lapses after six months continuously outside the country (golden visas excepted). Diarise it if you split your year.
Read more
Residence visa and Emirates ID, explained
Full guide · 4 min read
Full checklist tracking and task completion live in the Settli app for Dubai.