All-Visas
Standard Employment Residence (2-year)
work · United Arab Emirates
The default UAE residence permit, valid 2 years and renewable while the worker stays with the same UAE-licensed sponsor. Unified MoHRE + ICP flow (2026) triggers work permit, entry permit, medical, biometrics and Emirates ID together. End-to-end processing 5–14 working days by company classification. No federal minimum salary applies generally (salary minimums attach to family-sponsorship rights, out of scope here).
- Minimum stay / validity
- 2 yrs renewable
- Processing time
- 5–14 working days
- Official source
- https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/residence-visa-for-working-in-the-uae
- Last verified
- May 2026
Requirements & criteria
- [Mandatory] Sponsoring employer in the country
- [Mandatory] Concrete job offer / employment contract
- [Mandatory] No criminal record