The UAE allows foreign nationals to visit the country to look for work with a 60, 90 or 120-day visa that does not require a host or sponsor.
New visa rules were introduced towards the end of 2022, in a major overhaul of the country's immigration policy.
Among the changes was the introduction of the jobseeker visa, intended to attract young talent and skilled professionals to explore job opportunities in the country.
Working on a regular tourist or visit visa is illegal and can lead to hefty fines for the candidate and prospective employer.
Experts said the new visa would make it simpler to enter the UAE to find work, and marked a move to a more flexible and modern immigration and employment system.
Here's all you need to know about the UAE's jobseeker visa.
Who can apply?
The visa is open to those classified in the first, second or third skill level according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), or to people who have graduated within the previous two years from the top 500 universities in the world.
The following are the levels as defined by the MOHRE in line with the globally recognised classification by the International Labour Organisation (ILO):
Level 1: Legislators, managers, and business executives
Level 2: Professionals in scientific, technical and human fields
Level 3: Technicians in scientific, technical and humanitarian fields
The application does not require a sponsor or a host. The minimum educational level should be a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
How long is the visa valid?
The single-entry visa is available for 60, 90 or 120 days.
How much does it cost?
The fee breakdown is available on the websites of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP).
According to the ICP website, total outlay for the 60-day visa is about Dh1,555 ($423). The 90-day visa costs Dh1,675 ($456) and the 120-day visa is Dh1,795 ($489). This breakdown includes a refundable security deposit of Dh1,025 ($279).
If the applicant is already in the UAE, additional fees are levied for in-country processing.
To gain access to the service on the GDRFA website, select “Services”, “Entry permit”, “Visit Visa”, and then click on “Issuing a visit visa to explore job opportunities”.
If using the ICP web channels, select “Public Services” and “Explore job opportunities” to get all three visa options for jobseekers.
Required documents
Applicants will need to submit a passport copy (valid for at least six months at the time of application), a photograph and an attested degree certificate. You may also show a return ticket and health insurance but these are not mandatory, according to the ICP website.
Need more help?
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship has a toll-free number, 600 522222, and a feedback platform online for any queries or complaints.
GDRFA in Dubai can be contacted via its toll-free number, 800 5111, for queries and clarifications.
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
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- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
COMPANY PROFILE
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Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
The Bio
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Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
