What the visa is
The Jobseeker visit visa lets foreigners search for a job in the UAE for one trip. According to the official government portal, no host or sponsor is needed. The visa is valid for 60, 90 or 120 days, and the related online services are listed as single entry.
It is a visit visa, not a work visa. You cannot take up a job on it. If you find an employer, they need to sponsor you through the normal work permit process, which is explained in our guide to the UAE work visa.
Who qualifies
The portal says applicants must meet all three conditions:
- You are in the first, second or third skill level under the job levels of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, or you are a graduate of one of the best 500 universities in the world, as classified by the Ministry of Education, and you graduated within the last two years
- You hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent
- You meet the prescribed financial guarantee
The pages checked for this guide do not state the amount of the financial guarantee, so confirm it with the authority before you apply. Do not rely on an unofficial figure.
Documents
The portal lists three required documents: a coloured photo, a copy of your passport and an attested qualification certificate.
Attestation of a qualification can take time, particularly if the certificate comes from another country. Start early, and check what kind of attestation is accepted. The portal links to the Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs for the visa and to the ICP smart services for the 60, 90 and 120 day versions. The portal does not state any fees.
Choosing 60, 90 or 120 days
A longer visa gives you more time to interview, but it is also a bigger commitment, because you will need to cover your living costs and the financial guarantee. Think about how quickly your sector hires. If you already have interviews booked, a shorter period may be enough. If you are starting from nothing, a longer one is usually more realistic.
Remember that it is valid for one trip. Plan your travel and bookings carefully, and keep your return plans flexible.
How to search
Use official and reputable channels. Many jobs are advertised by employers and recruiters directly, and the formal job offer must follow the rules in the UAE government portal, which require a written offer with the rights and obligations of both parties. Be careful of anyone who asks for payment before a signed offer is issued.
Prepare your documents so that they are ready: your CV, attested degree, and references. If you find a job, the employer applies for the work permit, and the process continues from there.
What a proper job offer looks like
Once an employer wants to hire you, the government portal says the offer must contain a detailed description of the rights and obligations of both parties. It must be in Arabic and English, plus a third language you understand, and it must come with the annex on the UAE Labour Law.
After you sign, the employer is not allowed to change or replace any provision without your consent. The contract must state the start date, type of work, workplace, terms and conditions, duration and salary, and it must be submitted to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation within 14 days of your arrival, or from the date your status changes if you are already in the country. A fixed-term contract cannot exceed three years under the Labour Law.
If an offer does not look like this, ask questions before you accept it.
If you find a job
The employer sends a formal job offer. You sign, and the contract is submitted to the ministry. The work permit and then the work visa follow, and you complete the medical test and Emirates ID. Our work visa guide explains the steps in order.
If your pay is high enough and you meet the tests, you may later qualify for a Green Visa or a Golden Visa. See our guides on both.
If you do not find a job
You must leave when the visit visa ends. Do not overstay. If you plan to return, check the rules for repeat applications, and consider building your profile with new experience or qualifications first.
Common mistakes
Do not work on a visit visa. Do not assume any degree qualifies, because the graduate route depends on the university being in the top 500 and on graduating within the last two years. Do not forget the financial guarantee. And do not pay a middleman for an offer you have not seen in writing.
Common questions
Do I need a sponsor?
No. The portal says no host or sponsor is needed.
How long is the visa?
It is valid for 60, 90 or 120 days, and listed as single entry.
Can I work on it?
No. It is a visit visa. A job needs a work permit and work visa through an employer.
Who qualifies?
People in MOHRE skill levels 1 to 3, or recent graduates of a top 500 university, who hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent and meet the financial guarantee.
What documents do I need?
A coloured photo, a copy of your passport and an attested qualification certificate.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often. We last checked it on 31 October 2026, so please confirm the details on the official page before you apply.