🛂 Work Permit After Visit Visa in UAE – 2025 Legal Guide

So you’re on a visit visa in the UAE and got a job offer — can you start working? The answer is yes, but you must follow the legal process called status change, where your visa gets updated from visit to employment without leaving the country.

📁 Table of Contents

1. What You’ll Need
2. How the Process Works
3. Good to Remember
4. Common Questions

📋 What You’ll Need

• Valid UAE visit visa
• Job offer from a registered UAE company
• Educational/work documents
• Medical test result (X-ray + blood test)
• Biometric appointment for Emirates ID

🔄 How the Process Works

• Company offers you the job and submits the application
• You attend a government medical exam
• Fingerprints are taken for Emirates ID
• Visa gets legally converted to work status
• You receive your new employment visa and ID card

Timeframe: Usually 7–14 working days.

💡 Good to Remember

• Don’t begin work before visa status officially updates
• Make sure the hiring company is legit and licensed
• Keep digital backups of every document
• Avoid agents making unrealistic promises

❓ Common Questions

1. Can I work on a visit visa in UAE?
   → No. You must wait until your work visa is issued.
2. Do I need to exit the country to get the work visa?
   → No, the status change happens inside UAE.
3. Will I have to pay for the visa process?
   → Most companies cover it, but confirm this during hiring.
4. What if my visit visa is about to expire?
   → Start the conversion process early to avoid fines.
5. Can freelancers also switch visas?
   → Only if they have a valid freelance permit or free zone license.
6. Is it legal to apply for jobs while on visit visa?
   → Yes, but you can’t start working until status change is completed.

📝 Final Summary

If you’re in the UAE on a visit visa and get a job offer, don’t start working immediately. Instead, apply for a legal status change through your hiring company. Within 7–14 days, you can smoothly shift to an employment visa without leaving the country. It’s legal, efficient, and fully supported by UAE immigration laws.

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Author: HR Simran – Dubai-based Job Consultant