Employment Services

The many challenges of recruiting and checking any potential employee’s visa and residency documentation can be time consuming, confusing and arduous.

The many challenges of recruiting and checking any potential employee’s visa and residency documentation can be time consuming, confusing and arduous. Here at One Stop Business Set Up Services we evaluate a potential employee’s current or past history and visa status within the region and advise you on any pitfalls on employing individuals before an agreement is made between the parties. Saving you both time and money.

We give detailed employment visa requirement lists from the very beginning of instruction on either cancellation, new, renewal of work permit, employment visa renewal in Dubai and give relevant and timely advice on the Dubai employment visa processes and procedures.

You can track all your employee’s Dubai work permit and residency visa applications, including data past and present with your own dedicated login page on our secure Client Portal.

Sensitive to the many of the issues and difficulties employers and employee’s face in Dubai, as highly experienced business set up consultants, we are also able to assist with the compilation of internal employment policies, contracts and disciplinary procedures, all aligned with the UAE Labour Law.

We provide up to date client notifications detailing any change to work permit visa in Dubai or residency application processes or costings, the UAE is ever improving, ever expanding and we make sure we communicate and simplify those changes with minimal disruption to you our client.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to work in Dubai?

Yes. If you are an expatriate planning to live and work in Dubai, you will generally need a valid UAE residence visa and the appropriate work permit. GCC nationals are treated differently and do not require a UAE residence visa to live or work in the country.

For most private-sector employees, the employer arranges the required work permit and employment-related residency procedures. If you are employed by a company in a Dubai free zone, the relevant free zone authority will normally handle the work permit and residence visa process.

Depending on your circumstances, there are also other residence options, such as the Golden Visa, Green Visa and certain self-sponsored categories. However, holding a residence visa does not automatically mean that you can work in every situation; the correct work authorisation may still be required.

One Stop Business Center can assist with company formation, employment visa processing, work permits and UAE residency procedures, helping you understand the most suitable route for your circumstances.

Who provides the visa in Dubai?

A freelance visa is the term commonly used for a UAE residence visa linked to freelance or self-employed work. In practice, you will normally need the appropriate freelance permit or licence as well as a valid residence status that allows you to live and work in the UAE. The UAE also provides a freelance work permit for eligible individuals who wish to work independently without being employed by a single company.

The application process usually involves selecting a freelance activity that matches your profession, applying through the relevant authority or free zone, submitting the required documents and obtaining your freelance permit or licence. Depending on the route you choose, you may then apply for a residence visa, complete a medical fitness test, arrange health insurance and complete Emirates ID formalities.

Dubai also has free zone freelance programmes that allow eligible professionals to obtain a freelance licence and apply for a residence visa. For example, GoFreelance currently offers freelance licence and visa options for qualifying applicants.

Certain freelancers and self-employed professionals may also qualify for the UAE Green Visa, which provides a renewable five-year residence visa without requiring an employer sponsor, subject to meeting the applicable eligibility requirements.

The most suitable option depends on your profession, business activity, existing UAE visa status and whether you require a new residence visa.

One Stop Business Center can assist you with selecting the appropriate freelance licence or permit, preparing your application and completing the UAE residence visa and Emirates ID process.

How do I get a freelance visa in Dubai?

For most employees working in Dubai, the employer is responsible for arranging the work permit and employment residence visa. In the private sector, the employer normally submits the work permit application through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), while the residence visa process in Dubai is completed through the relevant immigration authorities.

If you are employed by a company operating in a Dubai free zone, the company will usually arrange your work permit and residence visa through the relevant free zone authority.

There are also visa categories that allow eligible individuals to sponsor themselves, including certain Green Visa, Golden Visa and virtual work visa routes. The appropriate option will depend on your employment status, profession, investment or other eligibility criteria.

If you are setting up your own business in Dubai, your company or business structure may also provide the basis for your UAE residence visa.

One Stop Business Center can assist with company formation, work permits, employment visas and UAE residence visa processing, helping you choose the appropriate route for your circumstances.

Can you help with employment contracts, company policies and disciplinary procedures?

Yes, One Stop Business Center can assist companies with employment contracts, internal employment policies and disciplinary procedures aligned with UAE Labour Law requirements. This support helps businesses create clearer employment structures, reduce disputes and maintain better compliance when managing staff in Dubai.