UAE — Work (Employer-sponsored work visa (MOHRE))

Current status for Iranians (most important)

As of October 2026 this route is effectively closed to anyone applying from Iran on an Iranian passport. The UAE embassy in Tehran has been closed since 1 March 2026; travel agents report that new UAE entry permits for Iranians have been on hold since mid-March; from 1 April 2026 UAE airlines announced that Iranian nationals may not enter or transit, except a few groups such as Golden Visa holders and spouses/children of Emirati citizens; and many Iranians abroad reported their residence visas being cancelled. On 2 April the UAE foreign ministry rejected 'inaccurate' media claims about the residency status of the Iranian community, but said nothing about new visas. A travel site updated on 7 September 2026 says it can no longer verify a blanket entry ban, yet as of mid-October 2026 we found no official ICP, GDRFA or MoFA announcement that visas for Iranians have reopened.

On 19 August 2026 the UAE halted all trade, commercial exchange and financial transactions with Iran until further notice, and on 23 September 2026 the Central Bank barred Bank Melli Iran's UAE branches from any transactions to or from Iran, so paying tuition or moving money from Iran is practically impossible. On 24 September 2026 the UAE civil aviation authority (GCAA) suspended all flights by Iranian airlines until further notice; reports say Iran in turn closed its airspace to UAE carriers, and we found no news of direct flights resuming.

Don't spend money (applications, deposits, translations) until an official reopening is announced. The rest of this text describes the general UAE rules that apply once things reopen.

Main requirements

Per u.ae, the standard work visa is valid for two years, renewable, and the employer applies for it. Working without a MOHRE work permit, or on a tourist/visit visa, is prohibited and both worker and employer are fined. Process: the employer issues the offer and work permit; the entry permit is valid for two months; within one month of arrival you complete the medical test, Emirates ID biometrics and residence. u.ae lists work permit issue/renewal costs of AED 250–3,450.

The job-seeker visit visa (60, 90 or 120 days, single entry, no sponsor) is for people at MOHRE skill levels 1–3 or graduates of the world's top 500 universities within the last two years, with at least a bachelor's. GDRFA Dubai lists fees of AED 200–400 plus 5% VAT and a AED 1,000 refundable guarantee.

Documents

Passport valid 6+ months; photo; job offer/contract; for skilled roles an attested degree (issuing country's foreign ministry, then UAE embassy there, then UAE MoFA); for some jobs such as medicine a local licensing exam. With the UAE embassy in Tehran closed, the attestation route for Iranian degrees is unclear. MoFA's FAQ says that where there is no UAE mission you should contact its call centre (+971 800 44444) or the 'Contact Us' form on its site; there's no Iran-specific procedure.

Language

No legal language requirement for the work visa; in practice English is the working language and Arabic helps for some jobs.

Costs and proof of funds

No official proof of funds. Your costs are mainly translation and attestation, travel and living until the first salary; per u.ae, the employer must bear recruitment, travel and residence-permit costs, and charging recruitment fees to workers is illegal in the UAE.

Steps and timeline

Find an employer (remotely or on a job-seeker visa); contract; work permit and entry permit (MOHRE's Work Bundle combines these steps); arrival; medical and Emirates ID; residence issued.

Notes for Iranian applicants

Besides the current entry-permit freeze: reports say some employers did not renew Iranians' contracts and Iranians struggle to use UAE bank accounts; with the halt of UAE financial transactions with Iran, sending salary home is practically impossible. Male applicants subject to conscription need an exit permit.

After arrival (work during studies, post-study stay, permanent residence)

The work residence is tied to the employer. With a monthly salary of at least AED 15,000, a bachelor's and skill level 1–3 you can get the 5-year employer-independent green visa; with at least AED 30,000 and level 1–2 the 10-year golden visa. There is no regular permanent residence or citizenship route.