Job Seeker Visa —
come to UAE, find work.
Skilled professionals can apply for a 60-, 90-, or 120-day Job Seeker Visa to come to UAE and search for work. No sponsor required. AED 1,250+ govt fee.
- Duration
- 60/90/120 d
- Sponsor
- Not required
- From
- AED 1,250
- Eligibility
- Skilled
Definition — Job Seeker Visa
UAE Job Seeker Visa (introduced 2022) allows skilled professionals to enter UAE without an employer sponsor for 60, 90, or 120 days to search for employment. Eligibility: bachelor's degree or higher, professional category Tier 1/2, or graduates of top 500 global universities. Single entry, no UAE residency rights, no work permission until employment offer + visa conversion. Useful for senior professionals exploring UAE relocation or running interviews before relocating. ICP application via Smart Services portal.
Job Seeker Visa — pricing by validity.
Choose duration based on how long you expect to need to find work. Longer permits cost more but give breathing room for relocation logistics.
| Duration | Government fee | YABS fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 days | AED 1,250 | AED 1,500 | AED 2,750 |
| 90 days | AED 2,250 | AED 1,500 | AED 3,750 |
| 120 days | AED 3,250 | AED 1,500 | AED 4,750 |
Where people get this wrong.
Pulled from 500+ YABS engagements. Each pitfall has a knock-on cost in time or AED — knowing them up front is half the value of using a PRO.
Working for pay during Job Seeker Visa
Cost: Fines + future visa restrictions; possible immediate deportation
YABS fix: We brief on the work-prohibition explicitly during application.
Choosing too short a duration
Cost: Visa expires before job offer materialises; need to leave UAE and reapply
YABS fix: We recommend 90-day default; 120-day for senior roles where interview cycles are longer.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for UAE Job Seeker Visa?
Eligibility criteria: (1) Hold a bachelor's degree or higher from accredited university, (2) MOHRE skilled professional Tier 1 or 2 categorisation (executive, managerial, specialist roles), (3) Graduates of top 500 global universities (THE / QS / Shanghai rankings). Professional categories include engineers, doctors, teachers, scientists, IT specialists, accountants, lawyers.
How long is the Job Seeker Visa valid?
Three duration options: 60 days (AED 1,250 govt fee), 90 days (AED 2,250), 120 days (AED 3,250). Single entry — leave UAE during validity and you can't return without new visa. Once you accept a job offer, employer sponsors you for an employment visa, which converts your status to UAE resident — no need to leave UAE for visa processing.
Can I work during Job Seeker Visa?
No — Job Seeker Visa explicitly excludes work permission. You can attend interviews, networking events, and meet with employers, but cannot perform paid work. Once you accept an offer, your prospective employer initiates employment visa application; you remain in UAE during processing (typical 5–10 working days). Working illegally on Job Seeker Visa triggers fines + future visa restrictions.
Also useful.
Get started with job seeker visa
Apply online in 4 steps. Itemised AED quote, no sales-call gate.
This page was last reviewed by the YABS compliance team in Q2 2026 and reflects current Dubai DED, Dubai Municipality, DHA, MOHRE, FTA, and DLD requirements.