🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates work visas for Pakistanis 2026
Last verified: September 2, 2026
Pakistanis moving to United Arab Emirates from Pakistan have 2 main visa routes: UAE Employment Visa and Golden Visa (Skilled Professional). The fastest is the UAE Employment Visa at 2–6 weeks. Every requirement below links to the official government source.
Just visiting? United Arab Emirates tourist visa for Pakistanis covers tourism, family visits, conferences and business trips.
Compare United Arab Emirates visas for Pakistanis: cost, processing time, and requirements
| Visa | Processing | Gov. fee | Job offer | Family | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Employment Visawork | 2–6 weeks | $1,400 | Required | Yes | No |
| Golden Visa (Skilled Professional)work | 4–12 weeks | $1,100 | Required | Yes | Yes |
United Arab Emirates visa guides for Pakistanis
UAE Employment Visa
workEmployer-sponsored residence visa, valid up to 3 years and renewable. Your employer applies to MOHRE for the work permit, then an entry permit is issued that you use to fly in — the medical test, Emirates ID biometrics and residency stamping all happen after you arrive, typically within 7–21 working days. There is no work-visa ban for Pakistani nationals, but screening has been noticeably stricter since March 2026, so attested documents and a clean record matter more than they used to. Degree and professional certificates must be attested by the Pakistan MOFA and the UAE Embassy before the permit is approved.
Golden Visa (Skilled Professional)
workTen-year renewable residency that is not tied to a single employer, so you keep it if you change jobs. The skilled-professional route needs a basic monthly salary of at least AED 30,000 — basic only, housing and transport allowances do not count — plus a bachelor's degree or higher and a role classified by MOHRE at skill level 1 (managers and business executives) or level 2 (professionals in science, engineering, health, education, business, IT, law, sociology and culture). Senior executives with five years of managerial experience qualify at AED 50,000. You sponsor your own family without an employer.
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- Can Pakistan citizens move to United Arab Emirates?
- Yes. Pakistan citizens have 2 main routes into United Arab Emirates: the UAE Employment Visa and the Golden Visa (Skilled Professional). Each has its own requirements, fees, and processing time, compared on this page.
- What is the fastest United Arab Emirates visa for Pakistanis?
- The UAE Employment Visa typically processes in 2–6 weeks, the shortest of the 2 routes we track. Add time for gathering documents, translations, and apostilles.
- Can Pakistanis move to United Arab Emirates without a job offer?
- Every United Arab Emirates route we track for Pakistanis currently requires a job offer from an employer in United Arab Emirates.
- What is the cheapest United Arab Emirates visa for Pakistanis?
- The Golden Visa (Skilled Professional) has the lowest government fee at about $1,100. Translations, apostilles, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- Which United Arab Emirates visas let Pakistanis bring family?
- The UAE Employment Visa and the Golden Visa (Skilled Professional) allow accompanying family members with additional documentation.
- Which United Arab Emirates visas lead to permanent residency for Pakistanis?
- The Golden Visa (Skilled Professional) offers a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.
- How much does a United Arab Emirates work visa cost for Pakistanis?
- Government fees for Pakistanis are about $1,400 for the UAE Employment Visa and $1,100 for the Golden Visa (Skilled Professional) (USD equivalents). Translations, apostilles, medicals, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- How long does a United Arab Emirates work visa take for Pakistanis?
- Typical processing is 2–6 weeks for the UAE Employment Visa and 4–12 weeks for the Golden Visa (Skilled Professional), counted from the date you apply. Add time for gathering documents.