Mission Visa Clarity: UAE Streamlines Short-Term Work Permits

UAE Short-Term Work Visas: The Current Status of the 90-Day Mission Permit (2025 Update)

The visa categories described in the old article have been replaced or clarified by modern work permits that align with the new Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.

The general term "Mission Visa" now primarily refers to the short-term work permit issued by MoHRE for specific, limited engagements.

1.
The 90-Day Mission Work Permit

The Mission Visa (also called the Mission Work Permit or One-Mission Permit) is officially an entry permit for foreign workers brought in to complete a specific temporary job or time-bound project.

Old Mission Visa Concept (2009)	Current Mission Work Permit (2025)
Duration: 90 days (renewable once for 90 days), or sometimes 6 months.	Duration: Typically issued for 90 days (3 months), single entry. Some free zones or authorities may allow a one-time renewal, though rules can vary.
Issuing Authority: Applied for at the Ministry of Labour (MoL).	Issuing Authority: Issued by MoHRE after the sponsoring company secures quota approval.
Transfer to Residence Visa: Conflicting information; often required employee to leave the UAE.	Transfer to Residence Visa: A transfer to a standard 2-year Employment Visa is generally possible IN-COUNTRY, provided the employment relationship becomes permanent and the company is compliant. The employee must complete the medical test and Emirates ID process.
Cost & Deposit: Highly variable (AED 500-1200), plus a refundable deposit (AED 3,000).	Cost & Deposit: Highly variable based on company classification. A security deposit (often AED 3,000) or insurance guarantee is still typically required by MoHRE/ICP, which is refundable upon completion/cancellation.

2. The 16-Day Special Mission Entry Visa (Now Obsolete)

The 16-day visa mentioned is now largely superseded by various flexible short-term visit visas available for different nationalities, including the new Jobseeker Visit Visas (available for 60, 90, or 120 days for those in specific skill levels).

3. Other Short-Term Work Permits (New Categories)

The new law introduced specific permits for short-term and flexible work arrangements, which reduce the reliance on the Mission Visa for all temporary work needs:

New Permit Type	Duration	Purpose
Temporary Work Permit	Issued for up to 6 months	Used for project-based work, testing a candidate, or temporary staffing needs.
Part-Time Work Permit	Valid for 2 years	Allows an employee to work for one employer part-time while being sponsored by another, or for multiple employers (with approval).
Freelance Permit	Valid for 2 years	Allows a skilled individual to work independently without employer sponsorship (available in certain categories and Free Zones).

Conclusion on Mission Visa Use

The Mission Work Permit remains a viable option for employers who need to bring specific expertise from abroad for a defined, short-term period (e.g., consultants, specialized engineers for a project). However, the overall process is now clearer, and the ability to transition the employee to a permanent residence visa without exit is generally possible under the current regulations, solving the main confusion point from the original article.