Topic Summary
What Is an Entry Permit and Why It Matters for Your Company
An entry permit is the initial approval letting a licensed employee or investor enter the UAE before conversion to a residence visa. It confirms sponsorship by your licensed company and is issued by GDRFA or ICP once your establishment card and quota are approved.
Documents You Need Before You Apply
Before applying, you need the trade license copy, establishment card, passport-size photo on white background, passport copy with six months' validity, and the offer letter or investor declaration. Missing documents are the most common reason for delayed entry permit approval.
Step-by-Step Sequence for Entry Permit Dubai Cost
The sequence runs: license issuance, establishment card, entry permit submission, approval, entry, status change, and Emirates ID. Each stage has its own timing and fee, and the entry permit dubai cost varies depending on whether you choose the 0, 1, or 2 visa package.
Employment Entry Permit UAE Process for New Hires
For employees, the employment entry permit uae process starts once the company's labour quota is confirmed. MOHRE approves the labour contract, then GDRFA issues the entry permit. Total time from offer to permit is usually 7 to 10 working days.
Entry Permit for Investor Visa Dubai Applicants
The entry permit for investor visa dubai route skips the labour contract step since the applicant is a shareholder. Instead, ICP verifies share certificate and license, then issues the permit directly, often within 3 to 4 working days.
Costs to Budget Beyond the Entry Permit Fee
Beyond the entry permit dubai cost bundled in your visa package, budget for medical testing, Emirates ID issuance, and typing fees. Corporate tax at 9% above AED 375,000 profit and 5% VAT still apply to your business regardless of visa spend.
Common Mistakes That Delay Entry Permit Approval
The most common delays come from expired passports, mismatched job titles between contract and license activity, incomplete establishment cards, and applying before the labour quota is confirmed. Fixing these before submission keeps your entry permit dubai cost and timeline predictable.
In 2026, most founders licensed under Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone receive entry permit approval within 3 to 5 working days of submitting a complete file, once the establishment card is active [1]. The entry permit dubai cost isn't a separate line item you pay at a counter. It's bundled into your visa package, ranging from AED 12,500 to AED 18,200 depending on how many visa slots you need. Knowing exactly what happens at each stage, and what each stage costs, saves you from guessing your total spend before your team even lands. This guide walks through the entry permit dubai cost at every step, the employment entry permit uae process for new hires, and what investors should expect when applying under the entry permit for investor visa dubai route.
What Is an Entry Permit and Why It Matters for Your Company
Entry Permit vs Residence Visa
An entry permit is temporary. It's valid for entry only, not for long-term stay. The residence visa comes after, once status change and a medical fitness test are complete. Both are tied to your active trade license, so a lapsed license means neither can be issued. An investor licensed under Dubai South Business Hub, for example, receives entry permit approval before flying in for status adjustment. That approval typically lands within 3 to 5 working days once the file is complete.
Who Needs One After Licensing
Investors applying through the investor visa route
Employees hired under the company's visa quota
Dependents added once the employee's status is confirmed
A founder hiring their first employee starts the employment entry permit uae process right after the establishment card is issued (ICP, 2025).
Documents You Need Before You Apply
Company-Side Documents
Valid trade license copy
Establishment card from MOHRE
Company stamp on all application forms
Individual Applicant Documents
Passport copy valid for six months
Passport photo meeting GDRFA specifications
Educational certificate for certain professional roles
Entry Permit Stages, Timing, and Cost Package Comparison
Feature | 0 Visa Package (AED 12,500) | 1-2 Visa Package (AED 16,350 / AED 18,200) |
|---|---|---|
Establishment card included | Included, but no quota attached | Included with 1 or 2 visa slots active |
Entry permit slots available | None allocated at issuance | 1 or 2 slots ready to use |
Labour quota assigned | Not assigned by default | Assigned based on package size |
Approval timeline | N/A until quota upgraded | 3-5 working days once filed |
Suitable applicant type | Owners not needing residency yet | Investors and employees needing visas |
Step-by-Step Sequence for Entry Permit Dubai Cost
Step 1: Confirm Your Visa Package and License
0 Visa Package: AED 12,500
1 Visa Package: AED 16,350
2 Visa Package: AED 18,200
A consultant choosing the 1 Visa Package usually pairs it with a professional license activity.
Step 2: Apply for the Establishment Card
This gets submitted to MOHRE right after license issuance. It takes 2 to 3 working days, and you can't request any entry permit without it in hand.
Step 3: Submit and Track the Entry Permit
Filed through GDRFA or ICP smart channels, approval typically takes 3 to 5 working days. Once issued, the permit stays valid for 60 days, giving your candidate a workable window to book travel.
Step 4: Complete Status Change and Emirates ID
After entry, the applicant completes a medical test and Emirates ID biometrics. Status change generally takes 1 to 2 weeks, and once cleared, the residence visa gets stamped on the passport.
Employment Entry Permit UAE Process for New Hires
Labour Quota and Contract Approval
Your quota ties directly to office size and visa package chosen. The labour contract is signed digitally through the MOHRE portal, and it must match the job title listed on your license. Mismatched titles are a common rejection reason.
How Long Does the Employment Entry Permit UAE Process Take?
Offer to contract approval takes 2-3 days. Contract to entry permit adds 3-5 days. Entry to Emirates ID takes another 1-2 weeks. Total: 7-10 working days.
Offer letter to contract approval: 2-3 days
Contract to entry permit: 3-5 days
Entry to Emirates ID: 1-2 weeks
Check quota rules through the MOHRE inquiry guide before submitting your labour contract.
Entry Permit for Investor Visa Dubai Applicants
Investor-Specific Requirements
You'll need the share certificate and MOA copy on hand. There's no labour contract required for owners, and the investor category ties directly to shareholding percentage. A two-person partnership under Dubai South Business Hub, for instance, applies individually as investors, each referencing their share percentage in the MOA.
Faster Approval for Business Owners
This route has fewer approval layers than the employment path. The same 60-day entry window applies, and the permit renews alongside your license each year. Approval generally takes 3 to 4 working days once ICP confirms the shareholding documents (ICP, 2025). Interested in this route? Look into UAE residency visa options tied to your shareholding structure.
Costs to Budget Beyond the Entry Permit Fee
Medical and Emirates ID Fees
Medical fitness test required before status change
Emirates ID biometrics booked via ICP centres
Typing centre charges added per application
Tax Obligations to Keep in Mind
Standard 5% VAT applies on applicable supplies, and 9% corporate tax kicks in above AED 375,000 profit (Federal Tax Authority, 2025). Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone is not a designated zone for VAT purposes, so plan your accounting accordingly. Set up your bank account opening in dubai early so payroll and visa costs flow through one account.
Common Mistakes That Delay Entry Permit Approval
Documentation Errors
Passport validity under six months
Photo not meeting background specifications
Missing company stamp on forms
Timing Missteps
Applying before the establishment card is active
Booking flights before permit approval
Ignoring the 60-day entry window
Founders who confirm their business activities and license type upfront tend to avoid the title-mismatch problem entirely.
Bringing It All Together
Understanding the entry permit dubai cost at each stage, from establishment card to status change, helps you budget accurately and avoid delays whether you're hiring staff or entering as an investor. The numbers are fixed and predictable: AED 12,500 for the 0 Visa Package, AED 16,350 for 1 Visa, and AED 18,200 for 2 Visa slots, with each stage adding its own working-day timeline on top.
Speak with a Dubai South Business Hub advisor to match your visa package with your license activity before you submit your first entry permit application.
References
Frequently Asked Questions
