UAE Work Visa for Nepali Workers — Complete Guide 2026
UAE Work Visa for Nepali Workers — Complete Guide 2026
The UAE work visa process for Nepali workers is managed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) in coordination with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). This guide covers every visa type, the complete document checklist, processing timeline, fees, and how to avoid the most common rejection reasons.
For the full hiring process, see our UAE Employer Guide. For verified agency contacts, visit the main contact directory.
UAE Work Visa Categories — Complete Breakdown
MOHRE classifies work permits into three tiers. The tier determines the visa cost, duration, and the worker’s rights regarding job mobility and sponsorship transfer.
| Visa Tier | Qualification | Duration | MOHRE Fee (AED) | Transferable? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 (Skilled) | Bachelor’s degree or higher | 2-3 years | 3,000-5,000 | Yes, after contract completion | Engineers, managers, IT, healthcare |
| Tier 2 (Semi-Skilled) | Diploma or trade certificate | 2 years | 2,000-3,500 | Yes, with NOC after 1 year | Electricians, plumbers, welders, drivers |
| Tier 3 (Unskilled) | Secondary school or below | 2 years | 1,500-2,500 | Restricted | Laborers, cleaners, helpers |
Step-by-Step UAE Work Visa Process
Step 1: MOHRE Work Permit Application (Days 1-7)
The employer submits a work permit application through the MOHRE e-services portal (Tas’heel or mobile app). Required at this stage:
- Valid UAE trade license
- MOHRE establishment file (active status)
- Attested demand letter
- Attested power of attorney
- Worker’s passport copy (color scan, all pages)
- Worker’s photograph (white background, UAE specifications)
- Worker’s educational certificates (attested for Tier 1 and Tier 2)
- Job offer letter with salary details
MOHRE reviews the application and, if approved, issues a work permit approval with a unique reference number. This is the green light to proceed with visa processing.
Step 2: Entry Permit Issuance (Days 7-10)
With the MOHRE work permit approval, the employer applies for the entry permit (commonly called the “pink visa”) through the ICP smart services portal or typing center. The entry permit allows the worker to legally enter the UAE for employment purposes.
Entry permit validity: 60 days from the date of issuance. The worker must enter the UAE within this period, or the permit expires and a new application is required.
Step 3: GAMCA Medical in Nepal (Days 10-14)
Before visa stamping, the worker must undergo a medical examination at a GCC Approved Medical Centers Association (GAMCA) facility in Nepal. The examination screens for:
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis B and C
- Tuberculosis
- Leprosy
- Syphilis
- Pregnancy (for female workers)
GAMCA medical validity: 3 months from the date of issue. If the worker does not travel within this period, a new medical examination is required.
GAMCA centers in Nepal: There are approved GAMCA centers in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, and other major cities. The recruitment agency typically handles the appointment booking.
Step 4: Visa Stamping at UAE Embassy (Days 14-20)
The recruitment agency submits the complete document package to the UAE Embassy in Kathmandu for employment visa stamping. The embassy verifies all documents and, if satisfied, stamps the employment visa in the worker’s passport.
Documents submitted for stamping:
- Original passport (minimum 2 years validity, 4 blank pages)
- MOHRE work permit approval (copy)
- Entry permit (copy)
- GAMCA medical report (original)
- Attested demand letter (copy)
- Signed employment contract (original, bilingual)
- Police clearance certificate (original)
- Visa stamping fee receipt
Step 5: Pre-Departure Orientation (Days 20-22)
DOFE requires all outbound workers to attend a pre-departure orientation session. This covers:
- UAE labor laws and worker rights
- Employment contract terms and conditions
- Cultural norms and workplace expectations in the UAE
- Emergency contacts (Nepal Embassy in Abu Dhabi, DOFE helpline)
- Financial literacy and remittance channels
Upon completion, the worker receives a pre-departure orientation certificate, which is required for final departure clearance.
Step 6: Travel to UAE (Days 22-24)
The worker travels to the UAE with all original documents. The employer or agency typically arranges the flight and airport pickup. Upon arrival at the UAE airport, the worker presents:
- Passport with stamped employment visa
- Entry permit (copy)
- Employment contract (copy)
- GAMCA medical report (original)
Step 7: Post-Arrival Processing in UAE (Days 24-45)
After arrival, several mandatory processes must be completed within specific timeframes:
- Medical examination in UAE (within 30 days): A second medical screening at an approved UAE health center. This is mandatory even though the worker already completed GAMCA in Nepal. The UAE medical is more comprehensive and includes a chest X-ray and blood tests.
- Emirates ID application (within 30 days): Biometric data capture (fingerprints, photograph, signature) at an ICP service center. The Emirates ID is the mandatory national identity card for all UAE residents.
- Residence visa stamping (within 60 days): Once the UAE medical is cleared and Emirates ID application is submitted, the full residence visa is stamped in the passport. This replaces the entry permit and is valid for 2-3 years.
- Labor card issuance: MOHRE issues the labor card confirming the worker’s legal employment status, job title, and sponsoring employer.
- Bank account opening: Required for salary transfers under the Wages Protection System (WPS). The employer must open a bank account for the worker or ensure the worker can receive salary through an approved electronic transfer system.
Complete Document Checklist
Employer Documents
- Valid UAE trade license (copy, notarized if required)
- MOHRE establishment card (active)
- MOHRE work permit approval
- Attested demand letter (Chamber of Commerce → MOFA → Nepal Embassy)
- Attested power of attorney
- Signed employment contract (bilingual English/Arabic, MOHRE standard format)
- Company signatory’s passport copy and Emirates ID
- Office tenancy contract (Ejari for mainland companies)
- Company bank statement (last 3 months, for establishment category verification)
Worker Documents
- Valid passport (minimum 2 years validity, at least 4 blank pages)
- Passport-size photographs (8 copies, white background, 4.3 × 5.5 cm, matte finish)
- Educational certificates (attested by Nepal Ministry of Education → Ministry of Foreign Affairs → UAE Embassy)
- Experience certificates (previous employer letters with job titles, durations, and contact details)
- GAMCA medical report (original, valid for 3 months)
- Police clearance certificate (original, valid for 6 months)
- Signed employment contract (original)
- DOFE pre-departure orientation certificate
- DOFE final approval stamp (exit permit)
Visa Costs — Complete Breakdown
| Cost Item | Tier 1 (Skilled) | Tier 2 (Semi-Skilled) | Tier 3 (Unskilled) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOHRE work permit fee | 1,500-2,500 | 1,000-2,000 | 500-1,000 |
| Entry permit fee | 1,000-1,500 | 1,000-1,500 | 1,000-1,500 |
| Visa stamping fee (UAE Embassy) | 500-800 | 500-800 | 500-800 |
| GAMCA medical (Nepal) | 150-250 | 150-250 | 150-250 |
| UAE medical examination | 300-500 | 300-500 | 300-500 |
| Emirates ID (2 years) | 270 | 270 | 270 |
| Residence visa stamping | 500-800 | 500-800 | 500-800 |
| Labor card | 300-500 | 300-500 | 300-500 |
| Health insurance (basic, per year) | 600-1,200 | 600-1,200 | 600-1,200 |
| Total (approximate) | 5,120-8,320 | 4,620-7,820 | 4,120-6,820 |
All costs in AED. Actual fees vary by emirate, establishment category, and service center. These are approximate ranges for budgeting purposes.
Common Visa Rejection Reasons
- Incomplete attestation: Missing any stamp in the Chamber → MOFA → Nepal Embassy chain. Every attestation step is mandatory
- Medical issues: Positive test for communicable diseases (HIV, Hepatitis B/C, TB) results in automatic rejection
- MOHRE quota exceeded: Your establishment’s foreign worker allocation is full. Check your quota before applying
- Document mismatch: Name, date of birth, or passport number inconsistencies between documents
- Previous UAE violation: Worker has a prior UAE overstay, absconding record, or immigration ban
- Invalid or expired documents: Passport with less than 2 years validity, expired GAMCA report, or outdated police clearance
- Security clearance issues: Worker flagged in UAE security systems (rare but possible)
- Incorrect job title: The job title on the demand letter does not match an approved MOHRE occupation code
Visa Renewal Process
UAE employment visas are typically valid for 2-3 years and must be renewed before expiry. The renewal process is simpler than the initial application:
- Medical examination renewal — Worker undergoes a new UAE medical screening (required for every renewal)
- MOHRE contract renewal — Employer submits contract renewal through MOHRE e-services
- Emirates ID renewal — Biometric data may be reused if within validity; otherwise new capture required
- Residence visa renewal — ICP processes the renewal and stamps the new visa
Renewal timeline: Start the process at least 30 days before visa expiry. Late renewal incurs fines of AED 25 per day for the first 180 days, increasing thereafter.
Visa Cancellation Process
When a worker’s employment ends, the employer must cancel the visa through MOHRE and ICP. The process:
- Submit visa cancellation request through MOHRE e-services
- Worker signs the cancellation form (electronic or physical)
- MOHRE cancels the labor card
- ICP cancels the residence visa
- Worker receives a 30-day grace period to either find new employment or exit the UAE
Important: The employer is responsible for the worker’s repatriation costs (return air ticket) upon visa cancellation, unless the worker resigns without completing the contract term.
