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Job Seeker Visa UAE

Update - 30th April, 2024

Before the new UAE visa reforms, which took effect on October 3rd, 2022 you needed an On-Arrival or a Visit Visa if you were entering UAE to find a job. However, this is no longer the case now because you will be required to get a jobseeker visa in UAE, which can be a 30 days, 60 days, 90 days or 120 days permit.


Apply for a Jobseeker Visa UAE for a rewarding career

What is UAE Job Seeker Visa


A Jobseeker Visa is a permit meant for people looking for job opportunities in the UAE.



Required Documents for UAE Jobseeker Visa


Dubai Job Seeker Visa

Following is the list of documents required for a jobseeker visa :

  • A copy of the passport with minimum 6 months validity (required)
  • Colored photo (required)
  • Qualification certificate (required)
  • Place of residence (rent contract or hotel reservation)-mandatory for residents only (optional)
  • Health insurance (optional)
  • Copy of the return ticket (optional)
  • Certified account statement (optional)
  • Iraqi Population Card/ Iranian Censenamah or ID Card/ Pakistani ID Card/ Afghan ID Card (optional)

Jobseeker Visa Price 2024


The cost of a jobseeker visa in UAE depends on the stay duration. The price includes a Dh1,025 refundable security deposit and, insurance. The 60-day, 90-day and 120-day visa costs Dh1,495, Dh1,655 and Dh1,815 respectively, according to the ICP website.


Nationality Wise Jobseeker Visa


In this section, we have listed the eligibility criteria for different visa types based on your nationality.

Job seekers visa for 30 days on arrival nationals

If you are a passport holder/national from the countries mentioned below, you do not have to apply for a prepaid visa because you qualify for a 30 days on-arrival visa. You will be issued the visa at the Immigration office at any airport in the UAE.

If you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can opt for the 60 day/90 day or 120-day jobseeker visa.

  • Andorra
  • Australia
  • Brunei
  • Canada
  • China
  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Macau
  • Malaysia
  • Mauritius
  • Monaco
  • New Zealand
  • Republic of Ireland
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • Ukraine
  • The United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
  • United States of America
  • Vatican City

Job Seekers visa for 90 days on Arrival Nationals

If you are a passport holder or nationality of the below mentioned countries, you qualify for a 90-day visa-on-arrival; thus you do not have to arrange a prepaid visa.

You will be issued a visa at the entry point in UAE without any additional requirements. If you want to stay longer, you can opt for the 120-day jobseeker visa.

  • Argentina
  • Austria
  • Bahamas Islands
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • El Salvador
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Honduras
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Kiribati
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Maldives
  • Malta
  • Montenegro
  • Nauru
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • San Marino
  • Serbia
  • Seychelles
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Uruguay

Jobseeker Visa for prepaid nationals

If your country is not listed above, you need to arrange for a jobseeker or a tourist visa before arriving in UAE.

  • South Africa
  • Egypt
  • Albania
  • Sri Lanka
  • Afghanistan
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bangladesh
  • Benin
  • Burundi
  • Bulgaria
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Congo
  • Fiji
  • Georgia
  • Ghana
  • Haiti
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Jamaica
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Laos
  • Lebanon
  • Liberia
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Moldova
  • Mongolia
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar
  • Namibia
  • Nauru
  • Nepal
  • Nicaragua
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Rwanda
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • Somalia
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Tanzania
  • Thailand
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Uzbekistan
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Yemen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Express Visa


You can opt for an express visa, which can be processed within 4 hours if you wish to attend an interview, or likewise.


Tourist Visa


The UAE government has introduced a new category of 60 days tourist visa from October 3rd, 2022 which will cost approximately 650 AED.


Virtual Work Residency


The virtual work residency permits one to enter UAE for one year from the date of issue. One does not need a guarantor when applying for this visa, but should meet the qualifications. After getting the virtual work residency visa, you can extend it for the same period.

Below is a list of documents required when applying for virtual work residency :

  • Identity receipt (required)
  • Colored photo (required)
  • A copy of the passport (required)
  • A copy of health insurance (required)
  • Medical fitness test result (required)
  • Virtual work proof -outside UAE- (required)
  • Salary certificate ($3500) or equivalent in foreign currency (required)
  • Passport valid for at least six months
  • Attached proof of work for an entity outside the country and, that the work is done remotely
  • Attached proof of monthly income of at least $3,500, and the equivalent, in foreign currency
  • Attached valid health insurance policy
Dubai Job Seeker Visa

How Difficult is it to Find a Job in UAE


It is important to understand the UAE job market before applying for a Jobseeker Visa.

It’s a common perception that it is easy to secure a job in UAE compared to developed nations, but that’s not entirely true.

The UAE population and the average number of workers in most companies are lesser than those in more developed economies. Due to this, most businesses in the country would have few open positions.

More and more people want to work in the UAE than there used to be! Therefore, it is hard to find a job, or hire someone. Employers are becoming more and more "picky" and they expect the person to meet most of their expectations.

Working people always have the desire to switch jobs for a better growth. This makes the job market even more competitive, especially in the UAE because it is a remote market.

The question is whether or not you get the desired job!

It is important to have local connections in the UAE as it is the people who will guide you better to get the work quickly. It would also be wise to use your professional network to help you get in touch with the desired organization. The use of social media has enabled the employers to discover ideal applicants to fulfil their requirements, thereby reducing the number of individuals they have to interview.

The importance of diversity is becoming increasingly important as Middle-East continues to expand. Whether it is gender, nationality, or the languages spoken, the criterion to meet the employer's expectations are becoming increasingly difficult to fulfil. The UAE continues to be a global talent attractor. Considering the total talent inflows, it ranks fifth in the world behind the US, the UK, Canada and France.

According to a LinkedIn study, the industries of healthcare, software and information technology in UAE have experienced the greatest rebound in recruiting levels.

According to the report, some businesses such as construction, energy and mining have not yet caught up to where they were before the pandemic. In contrast, others such as retail, recreation and travel have recovered and are above their pre-pandemic levels.

The epidemic has led to intensification of efforts made by both the public and business sectors to support a green recovery on a national scale, and to enable the transition to a more sustainable economy.

The proportion of "green jobs", and jobs that are ‘moving to become greener’ have been growing over the past several years, it stated.


List of Job Sites in UAE


Dubai Job Seeker

A number of companies in the UAE are known for their strict hiring policies and reputation as good places to work.

The “Top Companies 2022” report by LinkedIn states that retail chains Landmark Group and Majid Al Futtaim, the accounting firm PwC, the investment management companies Mubadala and ADIA, and the management consulting firm Deloitte are among the best places to work.

You can also consider ADNOC, Emaar, Noon, Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia and fly Dubai. If you want to find out more about the companies hiring in UAE, search the online job sites and the vacancies.

Here are some websites to check if you want to find a job or an internship in UAE :

  • Bayt
  • Khaleej Times Jobs
  • Indeed
  • LinkedIn
  • Gulftalent
  • Glassdoor

You might want to take the services of a recruiter to help you find the best person for your job. Many companies in the UAE outsource recruitment firms, the best way to find a job. Check out the below mentioned firms that can help you :

  • Jivaro Partners (marketing & communications jobs)
  • ESP International (conferences, events, hospitality)
  • Robbert Murray (development, construction, engineering & public sector jobs)
  • BAC Middle East (engineering, marketing & management jobs)

One factor you should keep in mind if considering getting assistance from an agency is choose the one which takes the commission from the employer, and not you. Also, be cautious of any agency asking for fees to help you get a job.