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now largely superseded by various flexible short-term visit visas available for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.
