Guide to posting workers to the United Arab Emirates

Like the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates are not part of the European framework and do not benefit from specific posted workers agreements.

1) Immigration requirements for posting workers to the United Arab Emirates

🚫 Important – Dubai: no visa on arrival allows maintenance, installation, or technical training activities, even for short assignments.

For all maintenance, installation, or technical training activities, a temporary work visa (Mission Work Permit) is required.

A separate visa application must be submitted per employee and per assignment.

Visa characteristics:

• Validity: 30 to 90 days depending on the assignment
• Non-renewable
• Restricted to specific activities for a single client (as stated on the visa)

Required documents:

📌 A. To be provided by the local sponsor (client or partner):

• Copy of the Trade Licence (Dubai company licence)
• Establishment Card
• MoHRE registration certificate
• Copy of the service agreement or invitation letter
• Justification for using a foreign worker (optional but recommended)

📌 B. To be provided by the foreign employee (posted worker):

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Passport-sized photograph (white background)
• Copy of diploma or qualification certificate (in English or Arabic)
• Employment contract or assignment letter
• Medical certificate if required (generally mandatory for assignments over 30 days)
• Proof of international health insurance (mandatory in some Emirates)

⚠️ All documents must be provided in English or Arabic.

For assignments exceeding 90 days, a local work permit is required, which implies having a local employment contract.

Indicative timelines:

• Document collection: 1 to 2 weeks
• Work permit approval: 3 to 5 working days
• Entry permit issuance: 2 to 4 working days
• Employee arrival: 1 working day
• Work permit activation: 1 to 3 working days

👉 Average timeframe: 2 to 3 weeks before the assignment can start in Dubai

2) Insurance and Social Protection obligations

For postings to or from the United Arab Emirates, specific conditions apply depending on bilateral agreements between countries.

For example, with France, no Social Protection agreement exists.

Posting to the UAE:

• The A1 certificate does not apply
• The employee is no longer automatically covered by their home country Social Protection system

✅ Recommended actions:

• Take out international health insurance covering Dubai (mandatory for visa issuance)
• Consider occupational accident insurance and professional liability insurance
• Apply for voluntary continuation in the French Social Security system (maximum duration: 3 years, renewable once)
• Check local UAE regulations, as additional requirements may apply

👉 It is recommended to use solutions such as Caisse des Français de l’Étranger or private insurance providers (e.g. Allianz, APRIL).

3) Summary of requirements for posting workers to the United Arab Emirates

French & UK nationals	Less than 90 days	More than 90 days	Comments
Technical visa (Mission Work Permit)	✅	❌	Requirements may vary for other nationalities
Work permit	❌	✅	Requires a local employment contract
Posting declaration	❌	❌
A1 certificate or CoC	❌	❌	No bilateral agreement
Compliance with employment law	❌	✅
Document retention	❌	❌
Local registration	❌	❌