Pakistani applicants · United Arab Emirates
UAE Employment (Standard Residence) visa for Pakistani citizens
Standard employer-sponsored residence for workers recruited by UAE companies.
- Processing time
- 2–6 weeks.
- Government fees
- Paid by employer; approximately AED 5,000–7,000 in total.
- Typical duration
- 2 or 3 years, tied to employer.
- Sponsor required
- Yes
- Leads to settlement
- No
Bilateral context
No nationality-specific treaty frameworks apply to this combination.
Consular processing: Applicable consular post in origin country
Tourist entry vs. this route
Pakistani nationals require a visa for any entry into United Arab Emirates. The UAE Employment (Standard Residence) visa is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Visa overview
The UAE Employment visa is the standard route for sponsored workers. Granted for 2 or 3 years depending on emirate and employer, it requires a UAE employer to sponsor and to hold a valid work quota. Free-zone residence differs procedurally from mainland.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Employment offer from a UAE employer with valid quota and licence.
- ✓Valid passport and medical fitness.
Common blockers
- !Employer's quota full or licence restricted.
- !Medical fitness issue (TB, HIV screening).
Typical evidence
- ·Employment contract.
- ·Medical fitness certificate.
- ·Passport.
Application pathway
Employer obtains entry permit
MOHRE or free-zone authority issues entry permit.
Travel and medical
Within 60 days of entry permit.
Emirates ID and residence stamp
Biometrics and residence issued.
Other United Arab Emirates routes covered for Pakistani applicants
Comparable routes in other destinations
Frequently asked questions
Are Pakistani citizens eligible for the UAE Employment (Standard Residence) visa?+
Eligibility for the UAE Employment (Standard Residence) visa is set by ICP and is not nationality-restricted. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Pakistani applicants typically file the UAE Employment (Standard Residence) visa?+
Applicable consular post in origin country. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by ICP — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Pakistani applicants need a tourist visa for United Arab Emirates as well?+
Pakistani nationals require a visa for any entry into United Arab Emirates. The UAE Employment (Standard Residence) visa is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Can I bring family on a UAE Employment visa?+
Yes, subject to a minimum salary threshold (typically AED 4,000–5,000/month depending on emirate and whether accommodation is provided) and housing documentation. The sponsor must hold an Emirates ID, a tenancy contract attested at the municipality (Ejari in Dubai), and a valid medical insurance policy covering dependants.
How long does the UAE Employment visa process take?+
The end-to-end process normally runs 2–6 weeks: entry permit issuance within 5–10 working days of the employer's application, then 7–14 days for the medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics, then residence stamping. Free-zone hires (DIFC, ADGM, DMCC) are typically faster than mainland because the free-zone authority handles immigration in-house rather than going via MOHRE.
What happens if I lose my UAE job?+
Employees made redundant hold a grace period (typically 30–90 days after visa cancellation) to find a new sponsor or exit the country. Under the 2023 labour-law updates, unilateral termination without notice can trigger end-of-service compensation. Moving to a new employer generally requires a new entry permit and fresh medical test unless the transition is "in-country" with continuous residence.
Does the UAE Employment visa lead to permanent residence?+
No. The standard Employment visa is time-limited (2 or 3 years) and tied to the sponsoring employer. The UAE does not operate a conventional permanent-residence framework; long-term stayers progress to the Green Visa (self-sponsored, 5 years), the Golden Visa (10 years, investor or specialist thresholds), or retain employment sponsorship indefinitely through renewals.