Obtaining an employment visa is one of the main steps for all expatriates intending to work in Dubai. Nonetheless, knowing the cost of a Dubai employment visa is imperative for employees as well as employers. Visa Application process changes from Dubai government — 2025 Cost of application Let us break down the cost & what to expect while applying for a Dubai employment visa.

 

Categories of Employment Visas in Dubai

A number of different employment visas are available in Dubai, depending on the applicant’s skills, industry, and employment situation. The main types include:

Standard Work Visa

The basic work visa in Dubai. Issued for 2-3 years with the option for renewals. The visa enables foreign professionals to work for a Dubai-headquartered employer.

Green Visa

Designed to draw in highly skilled workers, the Green Visa lets expatriates live and work in Dubai without having to depend on an employer for sponsorship. This is a 5 years visa specifically targeted toward skilled workers, freelancers, and investors.

Golden Visa

The Golden Visa allows Investors, entrepreneurs, specialized talents, and distinguished students to work and live in the UAE. A long-term visa gives them a residency of up to 10 years. There are perks, such as owning a business, sponsoring a family, etc., attached to this visa.

 

Dubai Employment Visa Cost Breakdown

How much does a Dubai employment visa cost? The exact cost of a green card varies based on several components, like government fees, medical tests, and other administrative fees. Here’s a rundown of the major cost components.

Government Fees

These are flat-rate fees approved by the Dubai government and consist of:

Entry Permit Fee: The payment required for someone new to the UAE to work.

Labor Card Fee: The fee charged for issuing a work permit in the UAE by the ministry, MoHRE.

Residency Visa Fee: This is needed to formally declare the employee’s residency status.

Emirates ID Fee: To waive the national identification card for all residents.

 

Medical Fees

Mandatory medical examination (general blood analysis, chest X-ray) for every employee. These medical tests are very costly and can set you back anywhere between AED 250 and AED 500. Besides, all employees in Dubai must have health insurance, with costs varying according to the employer’s health insurance policy.

Additional Costs

They may also charge for typing and processing to prepare and file documents. These may range from AED 200 to AED 1,000 based on the complexity of the app.

Dependent Visa Costs

You will need to pay extra for dependents if you want to sponsor family members. Depending on the dependent’s age and nationality, this can add AED 3,000 to AED 4,000.

 

Who Will Bear the Costs: Employers or Employees?

Usually, the employer pays for almost all the visa costs, such as government fees, medical fees, and insurance. The overall cost is variable based on the terms of the employment contract. Some employers may require employees to pay for some expenses, including document processing fees or insurance premiums.

To avoid any miscommunication on the part of employers and clients, it is necessary to clarify the above details before applying for the visa. In some cases, freelancers and independent contractors may need to foot the entire bill for their visa applications.

 

Cost of Dubai Employment Visa 2025 Changes

There are some key changes to be implemented by Dubai regarding its employment visa system for 2025:

Government Fee Adjustments

The Dubai government had a minor revision for the visa processing fees in 2025. The minimum fee for a standard work visa now is AED 5,000, depending on the employment type.

Doctors and Medical Insurance Requirements

Consistent with recent reforms, employees’ health insurance now covers a broader range of medical services. This expansion of coverage will increase the total cost of obtaining an employment visa by a small amount.

Simplification of the Process

Obtaining an employment visa has also been made easier through streamlined processing times, which require less paperwork to get approved. This has made the visa application process less expensive.

 

Conclusion

When talking about Dubai employment visas, the cost also varies from visa to visa, depending on the employee’s nationality and the job contract details. A number of changes were made in 2025 to simplify the process and modify the associated costs. You need to know all the parts at play to avoid paying more than you should. For employers and employees, clarifying who should pay the fees before proceeding with the visa process is essential.

You can also refer to globalbusinessetup.com for more information on Dubai employment visas, providing you with complete assistance for visa processing.

Knowing all about the visa process and its costs is the first step towards working legally and successfully in Dubai.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an average Dubai employment visa cost?

The cost of an employment visa in Dubai is typically between AED 5,000 and AED 7,000 (plus medical fees, health insurance, etc). The exact amount varies depending on the type of visa and employer expectations.

Does the employer pay the employee for the Dubai employment visa?

In the majority of cases, the employer will be responsible for paying the visa fees for the assignee. However, it is possible that employees will need to cover fees for extra expenses like document processing or medical tests.

Processing time for the Dubai employment visa

The processing time for a visa is typically between 5 to 7 working days, depending on the visa class and the circumstances of the applicant.

Is the employer allowed to reimburse the cost of the visa?

Some employers may agree to reimburse the visa application cost, subject to the hiring company’s policy and/or an employee’s contract.

Is there any waiver on visa costs for 2025?

The visa fee is not officially negotiable, but employers may negotiate with the respective third-party agencies for better processing and document handling rates.