Important Updates
Important Updates
June 9, 2023 | United KingdomScottish Business News: Scotland Providing Opportunities for Skilled Refugees
June 9, 2023 | Australia, IndiaAustralia/India: Agreement Signed to Promote Mobility of Students, Graduates, Academic Researchers and Professionals
June 9, 2023 | South AfricaCAJ News Africa: Zimbabweans’ Fears of Deportation From SA Allayed
June 9, 2023 | GreeceGreece: Forthcoming Law to Create Investor Residence Permit and Streamline Immigration Processes
June 9, 2023 | Republic of CongoRepublic of Congo: In-Country Medical Assessment Now Required for Foreign Nationals/Assignees to Obtain Embarkation Card for Offshore Activities
June 9, 2023 | United KingdomScottish Business News: Scotland Providing Opportunities for Skilled Refugees
June 9, 2023 | Australia, IndiaAustralia/India: Agreement Signed to Promote Mobility of Students, Graduates, Academic Researchers and Professionals
June 9, 2023 | South AfricaCAJ News Africa: Zimbabweans’ Fears of Deportation From SA Allayed
June 9, 2023 | GreeceGreece: Forthcoming Law to Create Investor Residence Permit and Streamline Immigration Processes
June 9, 2023 | Republic of CongoRepublic of Congo: In-Country Medical Assessment Now Required for Foreign Nationals/Assignees to Obtain Embarkation Card for Offshore Activities
June 9, 2023 | United KingdomScottish Business News: Scotland Providing Opportunities for Skilled Refugees
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About United Arab Emirates

Whether your company is sending employees to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or expanding your worldwide footprint—Fragomen is here to help. Our experienced immigration professionals partner with businesses of all sizes to develop immigration strategies that can help you achieve your goals.

  • The United Arab Emirates (UAE) immigration system has historically been based on the concept of sponsorship with the majority of travel and work authorizations requiring a sponsor, typically an employer. However, in recent years, this has changed with the introduction of self-sponsored visa categories which resulted in increased flexibility for foreign nationals to enter the country for work, residency, and other purposes. These reforms are ongoing, and as a result, the UAE government recently adopted a set of new immigration regulations supplementing the existing Law on Entry and Residency of Foreigners. Although these regulations came into force on September 5, 2022, not all of the provisions have been implemented in practice yet; it is anticipated that this situation will continue throughout 2023.
  • The UAE is a federation of seven emirates. Each emirate follows federal laws but also constitutes its emirate-specific legislation. The main structure of the immigration process, including eligibility conditions for visas and permits, is the same across all the emirates although minor differences in documentary requirements are quite common. Additionally, various free trade zones (free zones) have been established across the country to offer flexible business regulations and streamlined immigration processes (i.e., without the involvement of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization). While the majority of free zones abide by the federal immigration and employment laws, the Dubai International Financial Centre free zone (DIFC), and the Abu Dhabi Global Market free zone (ADGM) follow their own employment laws (this moderately impacts hiring and employment processes).
  • The UAE provides short- and long-term visa options for foreign nationals; the availability of the visa option depends on multiple factors, including the foreign national's desired duration of stay and the activities they intend to carry out. Some nationalities are either visa exempt or can obtain a visit visa on arrival.
  • There are eight visit visa categories (this includes: visa for tourism, visa for exploring business opportunities, and visa for medical treatment), four categories of temporary and emergency visas (this includes visa for transit and visa for cabin crews), seven visa categories for residency without work for a UAE employer (this includes: visa for study, visa for remote work, and visa for property owner), and two visa categories for residency with work (this includes: standard visa for contractual employment, and Green Visa). Although issued for the purpose of visit, the entry visa for residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council Member States and their escorts is a standalone visa category as per the new regulations. A Golden Visa which offers long-term residency to investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talent, scientists and specialists, outstanding students and top university graduates, humanitarian work pioneers, and frontline heroes, is another standalone visa category.
  • Visas that are used for business purposes are either for single- or multiple-entry. The maximum allowable duration of stay as a visitor is 12 months, depending on the entry policy (a visa category) applicable to the visitor (typically up to 30, 60, or 90 days). In-country extension of stay is permissible for select categories of entries. Visitors may sometimes change their immigration status in-country.
  • The main work authorization category in all jurisdictions is a standard visa for contractual employment also referred to as an Employment Residence Permit which consists of a residence permit and a work authorization (both components require a sponsor, i.e.: an employer). Individuals holding a self-sponsored Green Visa or Golden Visa must obtain work authorization (needs a sponsor, i.e., employer) to carry out work activities for an employer.
  • The visit visa for a work assignment (previously referred to as Mission Work Permit or Mission Visa) is an option for those seeking short-term work authorization. Although previously available only to applicants in the mainland, the latest immigration regulations stipulate that the visa is also available in the free zones (as of January 2023, this visa is not available in the free zones).
  • There is a remote work visa which is also referred to in the Emirate of Dubai as the Virtual Work Program.

Fragomen can also consult on citizenship matters and, as permitted within the confines of local law, may be able to offer citizenship assistance.

Fragomen in the UAE is Fragomen UAE Ltd. in Dubai International Finance Centre and Fragomen FZ-LLC in Dubai Development Authority. Both entities operate as immigration consultancies. Fragomen UAE Ltd, whose registered office in the United Arab Emirates is located at Unit 101, Level 1, Liberty House, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, PO Box 506626, is a private company limited by shares registered under licence number CL0688.

Fragomen FZ-LLC, whose registered office in the United Arab Emirates is located at G01, Building EIB 04, Dubai Outsource City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is a free zone limited liability company registered under licence number 16026.

Fragomen FZ LLC - Abu Dhabi, whose registered office in the United Arab Emirates is located at Level 17, Office Suites 38-40, The Offices World Trade Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, PO Box 30275 , is a foreign branch of a free zone limited liability company, registered under licence number CN-2545638.

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United Arab Emirates: Select Free Zones Clarify that Unemployment Insurance Scheme is Optional for Employees of Registered Companies Read more

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Upcoming event

June 22, 2023 | Event

Nomadic Middle East Launch EventRead more

Are you interested in obtaining long-term residency for the UAE?

To determine whether you are eligible to apply, use Fragomen’s FREE Long-Term Residence Assessment Eligibility Tool.
Get Started

We want to work with you

Find an immigration professional who knows your goals, your culture and how you do business.
View our people in United Arab Emirates

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Related insights

June 8, 2023 | United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates: Grace Period for Overstays for Most Categories of Visitors Now DiscontinuedRead more

June 8, 2023 | United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates: Select Free Zones Clarify that Unemployment Insurance Scheme is Optional for Employees of Registered Companies Read more

June 8, 2023 | Global

Weekly Immigration Update: June 2–8, 2023Read more
More insights

Upcoming event

June 22, 2023 | Event

Nomadic Middle East Launch EventRead more

Are you interested in obtaining long-term residency for the UAE?

To determine whether you are eligible to apply, use Fragomen’s FREE Long-Term Residence Assessment Eligibility Tool.
Get Started

We want to work with you

Find an immigration professional who knows your goals, your culture and how you do business.
View our people in United Arab Emirates

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related insights

June 8, 2023 | United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates: Grace Period for Overstays for Most Categories of Visitors Now DiscontinuedRead more

June 8, 2023 | United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates: Select Free Zones Clarify that Unemployment Insurance Scheme is Optional for Employees of Registered Companies Read more

June 8, 2023 | Global

Weekly Immigration Update: June 2–8, 2023Read more
More insights

Upcoming event

June 22, 2023 | Event

Nomadic Middle East Launch EventRead more

Are you interested in obtaining long-term residency for the UAE?

To determine whether you are eligible to apply, use Fragomen’s FREE Long-Term Residence Assessment Eligibility Tool.
Get Started

We want to work with you

Find an immigration professional who knows your goals, your culture and how you do business.
View our people in United Arab Emirates

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Firmwide services

  • Business Visa Services and Technology

    Guidance, support and technology to help you get your business travelers on the ground quickly and compliantly.

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  • Consular Services

    Personalized support to help ease the burden of complex immigration consular processing.

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  • Corporate Immigration Program Development

    World-class corporate immigration services to help you optimize your immigration operations.

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  • Crisis Management Services

    The help you need, when you need it most.

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  • Digital Nomad Services

    Advice and planning for your growing Digital Nomad population.

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  • Document Services

    Proactive planning and on-the-ground support to streamline the immigration document process.

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  • Employment Verification Services

    Modern, streamlined employment verification solutions to increase your compliance and minimize your exposure to risk.

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  • Government Advisory Services

    Strategic and tailored consultation to help you achieve your business goals. 

    Read more
  • Immigration Analytics, Benchmarking and Knowledge

    Robust resources to help you understand immigration in a changing world.

    Read more
  • Immigration Compliance Services

    Experienced guidance to help manage your most complicated immigration activities and maximize your compliance.

    Read more
  • Immigration Enforcement Defense Services

    Enforcement defense and internal investigations assistance to help defend your business against immigration noncompliance.

    Read more
  • Immigration Litigation Services

    Experienced, skilled immigration litigation to help you resolve complex situations.

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  • Immigration Technology Solutions

    Pragmatic, leading-edge technology solutions that support our clients’ immigration experiences.

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  • Immigration Training

    Unmatched training means better immigration experiences for your employees.

    Read more
  • Immigration Work Permit Services

    Comprehensive, end-to-end immigration services and technology to help streamline business immigration.

    Read more
  • Private Client Services

    Sound, holistic alternative residency and citizenship solutions to help you seize your opportunities.

    Read more
  • Remobilization Services

    Strategic support to help remobilize quickly and prepare for the future of work.

    Read more
  • Value-Added Services

    A wealth of complimentary benefits to enrich your immigration experience.

    Read more

Related offices or regional coordination center (“RCC”)

  • abu_dhabi
    Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates

    T+971 2 408 3100

    F+971 2 408 3101

    Contact us
  • Dubai aerial skyline looking at Burj Khalifa and pond
    Dubai (FZ), United Arab Emirates

    T+971 4 818 1777

    F+971 4 429 1392

    Contact us
  • Dubai aerial skyline looking at Burj Khalifa and pond
    Dubai (UAE), United Arab Emirates

    T+971 4 818 1777

    F+ 971 4 447 4102

    Contact us
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