Employment in the UAE for Ukrainians
What is a UAE business visa?
A business visa is part of the Golden Visa system, under which foreigners can obtain a long-term visa for themselves and their dependents. It aims to create an attractive environment for the business and economic growth of the UAE.
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Who can get a business visa?
Professionals from any country with business experience have the right to apply for a business visa.
To obtain a visa, you must:
- Be able to justify your experience as an entrepreneur;
- Having been the majority shareholder of the startup or a member of its senior management;
- Be ready to move to the UAE and legally open a business in one of the seven emirates;
- Have a business idea or business plan that you want to implement in the UAE.
In addition, applicants must successfully pass the requirements of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, including case review and health assessment.
Compliance with the requirements for obtaining a business visa does not guarantee that the applicant will receive it. Specialized commissions consider the application and the documents attached to it and, accordingly, give approval. Once approved, the applicant will have to comply with the requirements of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security to obtain a visa.
📌 Visit Ukraine recommends using Visit World's work guides to facilitate the process of employment in the UAE.
The Employment guide provides detailed information on the rules for obtaining a work permit and Emirates-ID, and the Business and Self-Employment guide provides information on the rules for obtaining a business visa and a visa for remote work in the UAE. They provide information on the required documents, visa criteria, stages, etc. For more information, please follow the link.
How to apply for a business visa?
To apply for a business visa, you will need to approve your candidacy in an incubator (workspace) supported by the UAE government (currently AREA2071 in Dubai and HUB71 in Abu Dhabi). Once your application has been approved, you will be asked to apply for a visa through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.
Note:
- If your candidacy is successful, you will receive a link to download the necessary documents and fill out a visa application form;
- If your candidacy is not approved, apply again in 90 days.
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Obtaining a visa
Once your candidacy has been approved, you will be asked to complete a visa application on the Federal Authority's website for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.
Upon completion, you will receive an email with further instructions on how to obtain a visa.
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If you live outside the UAE, you will be granted a six-month visa to enter the UAE, explore opportunities and settle. Before your temporary visa expires, you will need to convert it into a residence permit.
If you currently reside in the UAE, you will be issued a temporary one-month visa and you need to convert it into a residence permit before it expires.
In both cases, you can quickly and conveniently convert your visa into a residency visa in SERVICES1 in Emirates Towers, Dubai, or directly through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.
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What are the benefits of a business visa?
After issuing a business visa, the applicant is allowed to:
- enter the country for six months on a multiple-entry visa to facilitate the procedure for starting a business;
- appoint up to three of the best employees of your business to obtain resident status.
All visa holders will be allowed to sponsor their dependents in accordance with the conditions and requirements established by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.
To attract talent and experience from around the world, the UAE Cabinet approved a new remote work scheme to allow employees from all over the world to work remotely from the UAE. The annual visa allows foreigners to enter the UAE on the condition of self-employment and work in accordance with the conditions.
This provides entrepreneurs and talent with the opportunity to innovate in a safe and attractive UAE business environment, with access to all necessary services, including world-class utilities and telecommunications.
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For more information on a remote work visa, please contact the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.
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Dubai Virtual Work Program
Under the virtual work program, you can move to Dubai (from outside the UAE) and continue working in the organization in which you are already working, remotely.
Who is the virtual work program for?
The virtual work program is designed for people living and working outside the UAE, for start-ups and entrepreneurs who meet eligibility criteria. If your application for accommodation in Dubai is approved by the UAE authorities, you can also bring your family with you.
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The duration of the virtual work program
The program is valid for one year with the possibility of extension upon reapplying.
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How to apply for the program?
To apply for the program, you need to have a passport with a validity of a minimum of six months and valid health insurance that covers your residence in the UAE.
If you are an employee, you need to:
- provide proof of employment with a contract with your current employer for one year;
- receive a salary of at least 5,000 USD per month;
- provide a salary receipt for the last month and an extract from the bank for the previous three months.
If you are the owner of the company, you need to:
- confirm ownership of the company for one year or more;
- have an average monthly income of 5,000 USD per month;
- provide bank statements from the company's account for the previous three months.
Learn more about the benefits of working remotely in Dubai.
According to UAE labor law, there is no specific retirement age for foreign employees. It is possible to work in the UAE if you are over 60 years old.
However, employees over the age of 60 are required to apply for a work permit through MoHRE as well as to renew their employment cards annually.
It costs AED 5,000 every two years to obtain a work permit for age 65 and above.
Frequantly ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it possible to work in the UAE without a work permit?
No, to work legally in the UAE, you typically need a work permit and the appropriate residency status.