UAE Work Visa Guide for Indian Citizens in 2025

Introduction

Did you know that the expatriate population of the UAE is more than 88% as of 2025, making it one of the most preferred destinations for employment-based visas?

The UAE has a diverse job market, with high-paying work opportunities in every field. For Indian expatriate citizens seeking better living standards and tax-free income, the UAE is the ideal place, which is no surprise given that Indian citizens comprise 35% of the UAE population, making them the largest foreign community.

If you are an Indian citizen seeking a UAE work visa, this blog will provide you with all the necessary information about the UAE work visa requirements for Indian citizens and the cost of the process of applying for a UAE work visa in 2025.

What is a UAE Work Visa?

A UAE work or employment visa is a type of visa that allows Indian citizens to stay and work in the UAE for the duration of the visa. If you have a tourist visa, you would not be allowed to work in the UAE. Typically, a work visa is sponsored by your employer, and is valid for 2-3 years at a time, and can be renewed upon expiration.

Types of UAE Work Visas for Indian Citizens

Standard Work Visa: This is valid for two years, and allows an Indian citizen to work only for the employer who sponsored their visa.

Green Visa: The UAE green work visa is a type of residence visa, introduced in 2022 for skilled professionals, freelancers, foreign investors, and entrepreneurs. You can work and stay in the UAE for 5 years, and renew your visa upon expiration. The best part is that you don't need a sponsoring employer to apply for a green visa.

Golden Visa: The 10-year golden visa is the preferred option for Indian citizens looking to relocate to the UAE. While most people think it is only available for investors with an AED 2 million deposit, a UAE golden visa is also available to specialized professionals like doctors, scientists, and athletes.

Domestic Helper Visa: Indian citizens can also apply for the nineteen occupations mentioned under the UAE domestic helper work visa. This visa is valid for two years at a time.

Virtual Work Visa: This residency visa allows Indian citizens working in remote jobs outside the UAE to stay and work from the country, while continuing their virtual work, without needing a sponsor. This is issued for one year and can be renewed.

Free Zone Freelance Visa: The UAE also offers freelance visas for Indian citizens, through which you can register as a freelancer and work for clients both within and outside the UAE without needing an Emirati sponsoring employer.

Want to find out if you are eligible for a UAE work visa and how much it would cost? Discuss your case with Kayrouz & Associates to get a detailed assessment of your work visa application from expert legal professionals working in our Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices.

How is a UAE Work Visa Different From a UAE Work Permit?

While your UAE work visa for Indian citizens allows you to enter and stay in the UAE, your work permit or labour card is the actual document through which you will be allowed to work in the UAE.

Currently, the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MoHRE) issues 12 different types of work permits for various employers.

Your work permit is essential because, according to Article 6 of the Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021, a foreign national cannot be legally allowed to work in the UAE unless they have a valid work permit.

UAE Work Visa Document Requirements for Indian Citizens

Ultimately, the type of UAE work visa you apply for will have specific document requirements; however, as an Indian citizen, you should at least have the following documents:

• An unexpired Indian passport valid for the next six months
• Job offer from a UAE-based employer (if applicable)
• Passport-size photographs (as per UAE regulations)
• Work Permit
• MoHRE Entry permit or Pink Visa (issued after the work permit)
• Medical Test Report
• Medical Test Certificate (from 17th Approved GAMCA medical centres)
• Emirates ID application form
• Attested Educational and work experience documents
• Aadhar Card
• Police Clearance Certificate

Missing even one UAE work visa document can delay or derail your UAE work visa approval. At Kayrouz & Associates, we ensure compliance with MoHRE and UAE embassy standards, so that you can confidently file your UAE work visa application.

How to Apply for a UAE Work Visa as an Indian Citizen

Before applying for a UAE work visa, you need to meet the UAE work visa requirements for Indian citizens. You must be at least 18 years old and fall into one of the three skill classification categories based on your education. After that's done, you can start your UAE visa process.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Determine the visa type: Decide what kind of UAE work visa you want and what you are eligible for.

2. Get a Job Offer: Unless you are applying under a self-sponsorship work visa category, you need a UAE-based employer to sponsor your application. You also need to enter into an employment contract.

3. Collect Documents: This next step is crucial. You need to get your documents ready and attested. Also, get a medical test certificate from any of the 17th Approved GAMCA medical centres.

4. Work Permit: Typically, once your visa is processed, your employer will apply for a work permit. They would need to show their trade license, get the entry visa quota approval from the Ministry of Labour, and prove they have adequate office space.

5. Receive Entry Permit: After your work permit is approved, you will be issued a Pink Visa, which is valid for 60 days and allows you to stay in the UAE to complete your medical testing, Emirates ID registration, and other processes.

6. Travel to the UAE: You can now enter the UAE and undergo a thorough medical examination. Please note that your medical test must be done within 14 days of your arrival in the UAE.

7. Emirates ID Application: Once the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) approves the work visa application, you can receive your residence visa. You should also file your Emirates ID application within 15 days of arriving in the UAE. This is your labour card.

Cost of a UAE Work Visa for Indian Citizens

The cost of your UAE work visa will depend on your visa category. For instance, if you are applying under Category 1 (Bachelor's degree), the filing fees are AED 300, while the filing fees of Category 3 (High School Diploma) are AED 5000.

Typically, your employer would pay the visa filing fees. But you may have other costs, such as:

• Medical Test Fees
• Fees for Invoices
• Attestation Fees for Police Clearance Certificate, GAMCA Medical Certificate, Bonafide Certificate, Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, etc.
• Fees for commercial documents (if applicable)

Having an expert attorney by your side can help you calculate the fees you have to pay, as well as find any waivers or incentives you may be eligible for.

Processing Time for UAE Work Visa

You can get your UAE work visa within 1-3 weeks. However, this depends on whether your employer has completed all the initial work visa steps and the time it takes for you to gather your documents and get a medical test done.

Making Your UAE Work Visa Application Error-Free

In 2025, the UAE introduced the Salama system, a new AI-powered visa renewal platform to cut the waiting time of renewal from a couple of hours to a matter of seconds. Another new amendment in the UAE Work Visa for Indian citizens is the ten-year residency 'blue visa'.

If you were not aware of these developments, you need to be. The easiest way to stay updated on all the changes in the UAE work visa process is to consult and work with expert employment lawyers.

Expert Legal Support

Kayrouz & Associates has a dedicated Employment and Labour Law team to support businesses in managing their workforce. In our employment-based immigration law service, we offer legal advice on:

• New work visa applications and visa renewals
• Employment visa and labor card applications
• Golden visa eligibility assessments and filings
• Free zone and mainland immigration compliance
• Family visa sponsorships tied to employment/work visa
• Sponsorship transfers and cancellation processes

With a 96% client satisfaction rate and 25-plus full-time lawyers and consultants, Kayrouz & Associates has been a well-known, full-service law firm in the UAE and the Middle East since 2006.

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