Getting my UAE employment visa and Emirates ID

Arrival and entry permit

The entry permit was sent to me as a PDF. I flew into Dubai and entered on it. From that point, I had 60 days to complete the residence visa process.

Medical fitness test

My company's PRO (public relations officer, the person who handles government paperwork) booked a medical test at a government health centre. It included a chest X-ray and a blood test for certain infectious diseases. The process took about one hour. Results came in three days.

Emirates ID biometrics

I went to an ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) service centre for fingerprints and a photo for my Emirates ID. My PRO had already submitted the application. It took 20 minutes.

Visa stamping

The residence visa was issued digitally and linked to my Emirates ID. For me, it was still stamped in my passport, but since 2022, the UAE has stopped putting visa stickers in passports. The Emirates ID is now the main proof of residence.

Labour contract

I signed my labour contract through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) system. Check that the salary, job title and benefits in this contract match your offer letter. Mine did, but a colleague found his housing allowance missing and had to ask HR to correct it.

Emirates ID collection

My Emirates ID arrived by courier 12 days after the biometrics. With it, I could:

• Open a bank account (I had to wait for it)
• Get a postpaid phone line
• Sign a lease and register it on Ejari
• Apply for a driving licence

Timeline and costs

The employer paid for the visa, medical and Emirates ID. I paid for my degree attestation and some courier costs. Total personal cost: around 250 dirhams plus the Egyptian fees.

What was frustrating

• I could not open a bank account or rent an apartment for almost a month, so I lived in a hotel apartment paid by the company, but with my own money for everything else
• Some steps depended on the PRO's schedule, and I had no control

What was good

• The government centres were very efficient, clean and organised
• Everything is increasingly digital through the ICP and MOHRE apps

Advice

Start your degree attestation before you even accept the job. Keep digital copies of everything. Ask your employer for a timeline, and do not sign a lease before your Emirates ID is ready.