The UAE Mission Visa serves as a specialized short-term work permit tailored for foreign professionals hired for specific, time-bound projects. Unlike traditional employment visas, it provides companies with the flexibility to onboard skilled workers for temporary assignments without long-term commitments. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of its types, eligibility, process, and key advantages for both employers and professionals in the UAE.
Understanding the UAE Mission Visa
The UAE Mission Visa, also referred to as the Mission Work Permit, is a temporary employment authorization designed for expatriates involved in short-term projects. Issued for limited durations, it enables companies to meet urgent or project-specific staffing needs without entering long-term contractual obligations.This visa is especially beneficial to sectors that rely heavily on project-based employment, contractual expertise, or trial hiring, such as construction, IT, design, and consultancy.
Types of UAE Mission Visa
There are two main categories of mission visas in the UAE, each catering to different short-term employment needs:a) Special mission entry permit
- Validity: 16 days
- Renewability: Non-renewable and non-extendable
- Issuing Authority: Department of Naturalization and Foreign Affairs
- Entry: Single-entry only
- Purpose: Suitable for very short assignments or business tasks requiring brief stays
b) Mission work permit
- Issuing Authority: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
- Validity: Initially 60 days
- Renewability: Can be extended, with a typical maximum duration of up to 3 months (90 days)
- Purpose: Ideal for professionals engaged in urgent, short-term, or trial projects
- Labour Compliance: Allows for a labour contract and issuance of a UAE labour card, aligning the worker under UAE’s legal employment framework
Eligibility criteria for UAE Mission Visa
The mission visa can only be applied for by UAE-based employers. Foreign nationals are not permitted to apply independently. To qualify:
- The employer must be registered with MOHRE
- There must be MOHRE approval on hiring quota
- The nature of the company’s activity must justify the short-term employment need
- The employee must be outside the UAE at the time of application
UAE Mission Visa application process (step by step)
Here’s how the application unfolds:
- Employer initiates application for a 60-day Mission Work Permit through MOHRE
- Company’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) oversees the process
- MOHRE verifies the company’s registration, quota, and eligibility
- The employee signs the mission visa application form
- Upon approval, a Mission Entry Permit is issued
- The employee enters the UAE and the permit is stamped on their passport
- Employer submits visa details to MOHRE
- Employee undergoes a mandatory medical test
- Employer and employee sign the labour contract
- Labour card and UAE labour contract are issued
If reapplying for the same employee, the previous labour card must be cancelled, and the employee must exit the UAE before a new mission visa is issued.
Required documents for UAE Mission Visa
To process the application, the following documentation is mandatory:
- Company’s trade license copy
- Valid establishment card
- Employer’s e-signature card
- Passport copy of the employee (valid for at least 6 months)
- Original passport (required for medical test)
- Passport-size photographs with white background
- Attested educational certificates (if relevant to the job role)
- Copy of employer’s UAE passport
Mission Visa validity, fees & processing timeline
Validity
- Special Mission Entry Permit: 16 days (no extensions)
- Mission Work Permit: 60 days (renewable), extendable up to 90 days depending on the project
Cost
- AED 500 – AED 1,000, based on company type and MOHRE classification
- Excludes medical test, Emirates ID, and insurance
- Cost is typically borne by the employer
Processing time
- Usually processed within 5–7 working days
- Dependent on completeness of documentation and MOHRE approvals
UAE Mission Visa for freelancers
Freelancers cannot apply directly for a mission visa. However, they can be eligible if hired by a UAE-based company for a project.
- Applicable Fields: IT, design, engineering, construction, consultancy
- Condition: Must be sponsored by the employer
- Freelancer cannot self-sponsor under this visa category
Advantages and legal safeguards
The mission visa offers several operational and regulatory benefits:Flexibility
- Enables companies to hire short-term talent without long-term financial or legal commitments
- Helpful in managing workload fluctuations and seasonal projects
Legal compliance
- Ensures that all short-term employment adheres to UAE labour laws
- Offers both employer and employee protection regarding work conditions, contract terms, and rights
Probationary advantage
- Allows employers to evaluate candidates during a trial period