Professionals holding bachelor’s degrees can explore employment opportunities in the UAE for up to 120 days under official immigration framework
DUBAI — Qualified foreign professionals can enter and stay in the UAE to search for employment without requiring an in-country sponsor or host under the officially regulated “Visit Visa to Explore Job Opportunities,” Dubai immigration authorities confirmed.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai outlined the updated regulatory requirements for the single-entry visa, reiterating pathways aimed at attracting specialized talent and skilled workers across global markets.
Under the framework, applicants can choose between three validity periods: 60, 90, or 120 days. Qualification depends on professional and academic credentials; candidates must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or an accredited equivalent qualification.
Required documentation includes a passport copy with at least six months of remaining validity, a recent passport-sized color photograph with a white background, and an attested educational certificate recognized by relevant authorities. Applicants must also submit a refundable financial security deposit alongside standard service and issuing fees.
Digital applications can be lodged directly via the GDRFA Dubai official portal or the mobile application by logging in with UAE Pass credentials or a registered account. Applicants enter personal data, attach the necessary attested records, and process payments electronically.
In-person applications remain accessible through licensed Amer processing centers across the emirate and GDRFA Customer Happiness Centers.
Immigration authorities reiterated that the permit is dedicated solely to prospecting and attending interviews, and direct employment on this visa remains prohibited. Once a candidate secures an offer, the prospective employer must process an official employment visa and residency permit before the candidate begins work.
