The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to introduce a new visit visa category designed to attract global talent and enhance labour market flexibility. Starting 30 June 2025, skilled professionals will be able to enter the UAE without the need for employer sponsorship, as part of a significant shift in the country’s visa and employment policies.
This new initiative, named the Visit Visa for Work Purposes, will allow eligible individuals to undertake short-term job assignments or explore employment opportunities in the UAE for up to 120 days. Unlike previous visit or job seeker visa arrangements that limited work-related activities, this visa offers a more flexible framework aimed at accommodating modern employment patterns, especially among freelancers and contractors.
According to the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), the visa will be available in three single-entry options: 60, 90, and 120 days. Crucially, applicants will not need a local sponsor or job offer in advance. The new visa is specifically targeted at independent contractors, freelancers, recent graduates, and skilled professionals seeking temporary work or employment opportunities in the country.
To qualify for the visa, applicants must meet at least one of several eligibility requirements. These include holding qualifications in skill levels 1 to 3 as classified by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), possessing a bachelor’s degree or higher, or being a recent graduate—within the last two years—from one of the world’s top 500 universities. In addition, applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient financial means to support their stay.
The visa fee structure varies based on duration: AED 200 for 60 days, AED 300 for 90 days, and AED 400 for 120 days. All applicants are required to pay a refundable security deposit of AED 1,000. Additional service and government fees apply: AED 80–100 for the 90-day option, and AED 100–120 for the 120-day option. Those applying from within the UAE will incur an extra AED 500 processing charge.
Applications can be submitted through the UAE’s official smart services portal, Customer Happiness Centres across the country, or Amer Service Centres in Dubai. Required documentation includes identification, academic or professional credentials, and proof of financial capacity.
This visa launch is part of the UAE’s broader economic agenda aimed at workforce diversification and the promotion of innovation-driven sectors such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, and advanced technology. Officials believe the new policy will strengthen the UAE’s status as a hub for freelancers and short-term professionals while contributing to long-term national economic objectives by increasing talent mobility and improving access to skilled labour.
