Can Tourist Visa Be Converted To Employment Visa In UAE

There are many kinds of visa in UAE as Business Visa, Employment Visa and Student Visa. The Tourist visa does not have this option to convert it to Employment Visa but there is no problem for you for tourist visa renewal and applying for Schengen visa in future so that you can travel across the Europe and enjoy your life there.

A Tourist Visa can be converted to Employment Visa in UAE. An employer needs to register him with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA). Once your employer registers you and gets a confirmation letter, then you can apply for conversion of your visa.

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Tourist Visa To Employment Visa UAE 2021

According to the UAE Law and You, the Emirati authorities do not provide any means of moving from tourist visa to employment visa and vice versa. And you will be required to provide a letter from your sponsoring company in order for you to convert a visa.

Yes, you can apply for a tourist visa in the UAE. However, if you want to change your tourist visa into an employment visa once you are in the country, you will have to obtain approval from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.  

The UAE is an important area to be considered in, while planning your trip to Middle East. It is an Arabian country which has a beautiful hospitality and breathtaking views and it also has reasonable prices. However, you need a valid visa to enter the country. The Emirati UAE visa rules are strict and it is also hard for the expatriates to get the work visa. Therefore, you have to apply for the sponsored visa at UAE Embassy or Consulate in your resident country before entering the country. Many people who came to UAE on the tourist visa have been tried their luck in search of legal employment here. Whereas, others have decided not to take any chance and return back home. Then what are the options left for those who want to reside in UAE long-term?

Dubai Visit Visa

Dubai is one of the most visited destinations by travelers from across the world especially for leisure and entertainment. That is why everyone wants a visa to UAE. Therefore, for the convenience of the travelers, the UAE government has introduced many different types of visas, and you can apply for UAE visa online easily. The process of getting the visa to Dubai is hassle free and quick. Visit visa Dubai is one of the most applied visa’s in Dubai.

Changing Visa Status In UAE Without Exit 2022

What Is A Visit Visa?

People who are willing to stay in Dubai for more than 14 days either for work or pleasure can apply for a visit visa in Dubai. Visit visa to Dubai can be obtained for 30 days or 90 days and it can be converted to employment visa or residence visa. Other than the visa fee a deposit is also required from the local sponsor, relative or any resident, which is refunded once the visitor successfully leaves the country in case of visit to UAE. You need to consider your nationality, purpose of visit and the duration of the visit while applying for visit visa. UAE visit visa can’t be renewed.

How to get a visit visa for Dubai?

You can apply visit visa Dubai online or get it done through a travel agent, online booking website or get sponsored by any of the renowned hotels or airlines that are based in Dubai. There are different kinds of Dubai Visit visas and cost and visa process also varies.

What is the difference between a tourist visa and visit visa?

• Tourist visa can only be used for tourism and leisure purpose whereas a visit visa can be used for business meetings, to attend a seminar or any other purpose.
• With a tourist visa, you can stay for 14 days or 30 days and it is extendible for 40 days period whereas with a visit visa you can stay for 90 days.

Dubai visit visa fee is higher than the tourist visa fee. 90 days Visit Visa will cost your AED 825 whereas 30 days Tourist Visa will cost you AED 305.

• You cannot convert your tourist visa into another visa but visit visa can be converted into employment visa
• Tourist visa is only valid for 2 months while visit visa is valid up to 6 months
• he sponsor of tourist visa can be friend, relative, or local hotel and agency in UAE but in case of visit visa he should be citizen of UAE.

What are different types of visit visa?

• 90 days visit Visa – The 90 days visit visa to Dubai has a validity of 58 days from the date on which it is issued.

UAE Employment Visa Rules

To be allowed to work in the UAE, you as well as the company hiring you must fulfill the following conditions:

• You must be at least 18 years old
• The license of the company hiring you has to be valid
• The company must not have any violations
• The work you do must correspond to the nature of the company hiring you.

Who is Eligible for a UAE Work Visa?

Any foreigner who is over the age of 18 can work in the UAE, provided that they meet the standards set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). There is no maximum age for who can be employed in the UAE, but for workers over the age of 65, the company pays a higher fee.

Foreign workers are divided into three categories, based on their academic qualifications/skill sets:

• Category 1: If you have at least a bachelor’s degree
• Category 2: If you have a post-secondary diploma in any field
• Category 3: If you have a high school diploma.

What documents do I need for a UAE employment visa?

When applying for an employment visa for UAE, you need several supporting documents, such as:

• Your original passport along with a copy of your passport
• A passport-size picture, in line with UAE requirements
• Copies of your academic qualifications. Your qualifications have to be authorized by the UAE Embassy or consulate in your country as well as from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
• Medical certificate, issued by a government-approved health center in the UAE.
• Documents from the company hiring you, such as the commercial license of the company or the company card

As per the new employment visa rules in UAE for 2018, a certificate of good conduct is not required, until further notice.

How can I get a Work Permit in UAE?

Your employer has to obtain the work permit on your behalf. It is the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) that’s in charge of issuing work permits for the UAE. The application process for a UAE work permit is:

1. The employer prints the application for the work permit at the Tas’Heel website, the Ministry of Labour’s online system
2. They submit the required documents (see below)
3. The Ministry reviews their application, and asks to resubmit any documents or correct any irregularities they think are necessary
4. The Ministry issues the approval, which the employer can download from the Ministry website

Visit Visa To Employment Visa UAE Cost

The fees for UAE work permits are as follows:

• Requesting an initial approval of a new electronic work permit: AED 200 for all categories/levels
• Approval of the new electronic work permit (the worker’s recruitment, hiring, and their Labour Card):
  • Category 1: AED 300
  • Category 2:
    • Level A: AED 600
    • Level B: AED 1,500
    • Level C: AED 2,000
  • Category 3: AED 5,000
• For foreign workers over the age of 65: AED 5,000 on all categories

The second category is divided into levels, depending on the ratio of skilled and unskilled workers that the company has.

In most cases, it is your employer who is in charge of covering the UAE work permit costs.

How Long Does it Take to Get a UAE Work Permit?

Upon the complete submission of documents, it usually takes about 5 working days for the Ministry to issue the work permit.

How long is a UAE Work Permit Valid?

A work permit, when you first receive it is valid for 30 days, and can be extended for another 30. This gives you 60 days to remain in the country, during which time you and your employer have to arrange to get a Residence Visa, an Emirates ID, and your Labour Card.

It is the Residence Visa in addition to the Labour Card which allow you to live and work in the UAE legally. UAE Residence Visas are issued for 1, 2, or 3 years, depending on your purpose of travel and the discretion of the UAE authorities.

How To Change Tourist Visa To Employment Visa In UAE

After your work permit for the UAE is approved, it serves as an entry permit, allowing you to enter the UAE on the grounds of employment. This permit is valid for 30 days, and can be extended once, allowing you a maximum stay of 60 days during which time your employer has to arrange your Residence Visa. The UAE Employment Visa procedure starts only after you enter the country.

What is the UAE Employment Visa Procedure?

After you enter the UAE with the approval you received from the MoHRE, your employer has to apply for a Residence Visa for you from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) of the emirate where you are employed.

Once your application is approved, the GDRFA will affix an Employment Visa (Residence Visa for employment purposes) on your passport, and you will receive an Emirates ID, valid for the same duration as the visa. You will also receive a Labour Card, which informs the authorities you have authorization to work in the UAE.

Can You Renew a UAE Work Visa?

Yes, you can. All types of Residence Visas for the UAE are issued for 1-3 years and can be renewed. Your sponsor has to renew your UAE Work Visa within the 30 days before it is set to expire.

The UAE Work Visa renewal procedure is similar to when you first obtained your visa: your sponsor has to apply at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in the relevant emirate.

However, your sponsor may also renew your visa after it expires if it is within the UAE residence visa expiry grace period.

How Many Days Will Take To Change Visit Visa To Employment Visa In UAE

Getting a Work Visa for Dubai

Since Dubai is one of the seven emirates making up the UAE, the process for getting a Dubai Employment Visa is the same as in any other emirate. This includes:

1. You find a job in Dubai (either while you are on a UAE Tourist Visa or through one of UAE’s online job portals and job fairs)
2. While you are still in your home country, your employer applies for a Work Permit for you
3. If approved, you use the work permit to enter Dubai
4. Your employer arranges for you to undergo a medical exam and applies for a Residence Card for employment on your behalf at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. They must do this within 60 days, which is how long the permit is valid.
5. Your employer arranges for you to receive a Labour Card and Emirates ID Card

How much does an employment visa in Dubai cost?

The cost for a Dubai visa fee is the same as for other emirates in the UAE (detailed above). However, in most cases, it is usually the company that has hired you which pays all the visa fee, and work permit costs.

Employment visa renewal in Dubai

Your employer, who serves as your sponsor, can apply to renew your employment visa for you at the GDRFA in Dubai or an Amre center.