United Arab Emirates: Implementation of Relaxed Stay Rules for Visit Visas for Work Assignments Forthcoming
December 30, 2025
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The United Arab Emirates has updated its immigration regulations so that the Visit Visa for Work Assignments (also known as the Mission Visa or Mission Work Permit) will be issued as a multiple-entry visit visa valid for two years. Under the previous framework, multiple entries were allowed, but the regulations did not clearly define the validity period or the permitted duration of stay per entry. In practice, only single-entry visas with a maximum stay of 90 days are currently being issued. Although the timeline for the practical implementation of the multiple-entry is unclear, when implemented, foreign nationals will be able to remain in the country for up to 60 days per entry, provided that the total duration of stay does not exceed 180 days within a single year. In addition, visa holders will be required to undergo a medical examination within 15 days of their first entry on the visa, which was not previously required. The updated immigration regulation, once implemented, will allow foreign nationals holding the multiple-entry Visit Visas for Work to enjoy greater flexibility for temporary work assignments and for employers to manage short-term project based assignments or probationary employment (a temporary period where an employer and employee can assess either party in terms of their fit) more efficiently. Further guidance is expected to be issued, including the requirements for eligible companies, the professionals eligible for this visa type and any rules or conditions that may apply.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
