UAE Work Visa for Pakistanis in 2026: Process, Costs and New Rules
The UAE remains the busiest overseas job market for Pakistanis, and 2026 has brought real changes: a Pakistan–UAE agreement now lets travellers from Karachi complete UAE immigration checks before boarding, and enforcement against working on visit visas has tightened. Here is how a genuine UAE employment visa actually works this year.
How the UAE employment visa process works
Unlike a visit visa, a UAE work visa is employer-driven from start to finish. Your employer issues a formal job offer — required in Arabic, English and a language you understand — then applies for a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), which checks the job title, salary and company quota. Once MOHRE approves, the immigration authority (GDRFA) issues an entry permit. You fly in on that permit, and within about 60 days you complete an in-country medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics and the residence visa stamping that makes you fully legal to work.
What you must arrange in Pakistan before flying
- Wafid (GAMCA) medical: book a token at wafid.com and pass the pre-departure medical at an approved centre — a FIT certificate is mandatory for Gulf employment visas.
- Document attestation: matric/inter certificates through IBCC and degrees through HEC, then MOFA, and for many professions the UAE Embassy in Islamabad. See our attestation service.
- Protector (BEOE) clearance: every Pakistani leaving on an employment visa needs emigration clearance — through a licensed overseas employment promoter or as a direct-hire registrant.
- Police Character Certificate and polio card: a PCC from your local police/NADRA counter and a valid polio vaccination card are commonly required for Pakistani applicants.
Who pays, and how much does it cost?
Under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the employer must pay the work permit, visa, medical, Emirates ID and health insurance costs. Work permit fees range from roughly AED 250 to AED 3,450 depending on the company’s classification, and the total employer-side cost of one employment visa typically falls between AED 3,500 and AED 7,000. If a recruiter in Pakistan demands you pay these UAE-side fees yourself, treat it as a red flag — that practice is illegal in the UAE.
What is new in 2026
Under the January 2026 Pakistan–UAE pre-clearance agreement, passengers from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport can complete UAE immigration checks before boarding, with expansion planned for Lahore and Islamabad. At the same time, avoid so-called “azad visa” offers and never work on a visit visa: fines and bans are being enforced strictly. If you are exploring longer-term options, see the UAE Golden Visa or compare other routes on our visas page.
A legitimate UAE job offer, verified employer and complete documentation are the difference between a smooth departure and months of losses. Hijrat can verify your offer, handle attestation and walk you through protector and Wafid bookings from our Islamabad office.
We verify offers, complete attestation, and guide you through Wafid medical and protector clearance so you land in the UAE fully legal.
Disclaimer: Visa rules, MOHRE fees and processes change frequently and vary by emirate and company classification. Figures above are indicative for August 2026. Always confirm current requirements with MOHRE, GDRFA, the UAE Embassy in Islamabad and BEOE. All visa decisions rest solely with the UAE authorities. Hijrat is an independent consultancy and is not affiliated with any government.