In the UAE, the employer is legally required to pay for all costs related to an employee's work visa, including work permits, medical tests, Emirates ID, and recruitment fees, with no exceptions or deductions allowed from the employee's salary. This is mandated by UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021), and any clause in a contract stating the employee pays is invalid.
By UAE labour law, the responsibility for paying the full employment visa fee for an employee lies with the employer. This includes all required steps: Work permit and labor card. Visa application and issuance.
Once assigned a CoS, the skilled worker will need to submit their visa application, paying the relevant visa application fee and immigration health surcharge. There is no obligation for employers to pay their sponsored workers visa fees, although some organisations choose to do so.
The answer depends on the type of fees involved, as some are mandatory employer-paid costs, while others can be covered by the employee.
Employers must pay for all fees and costs related to the PERM labor certification process and cannot accept reimbursement by the foreign national or a third party paying on the employee's behalf.
Employers seeking to employ an H-1 worker who is abroad using an H-1B petition filed after September 21, 2025 must pay an additional $100,000 fee via the US Treasury's website pay.gov.
For permanent visa nominations such as the ENS (subclass 186) & Regional Sponsored (subclass 494) nominations, the SAF levy must be paid by the employer. These nomination costs, whilst not strictly mandatory, government guidelines expect employers to cover these costs.
If you're applying for an open work permit, make sure you pay all applicable fees: work permit fee ($155) open work permit holder fee ($100)
Several nonimmigrant visa categories (H-1B, TN, O-1, R-1, L-1, etc) require employer sponsorship. Each visa has its own specific eligibility requirements based on the job and the applicant's qualifications, such as education and skills.
🛑 Let's Be Clear: These Practices Are Illegal. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 6, companies are prohibited from passing on recruitment, visa, or onboarding expenses to employees, whether directly or indirectly. Even if the employee signs a contract stating otherwise, the law overrides it.
Process for Visa Sponsorship In The United Arab Emirates
In the UAE, employers act as sponsors for work visas and permits. The process begins with obtaining an entry permit for the employee.
Some costs must be borne by the employer, such as the licence fee and the Immigration Skills Charge. Passing these costs to employees can breach the immigration rules if handled incorrectly. Visa application fees and the IHS are often set out in employment contracts, but many employers cover them to remain competitive.
The 3000 AED requirement in Dubai is often misunderstood. There is NO mandatory requirement to carry exactly 3000 AED cash when entering Dubai as a tourist. However, UAE immigration may ask for proof of sufficient funds (typically AED 3000-5000 or equivalent) to cover your stay.
Employers typically cover the primary costs, such as application and legal fees. Employees may need to pay for copies of their educational transcripts and translating their documents from other languages. The employer usually negotiates additional expenses, such as relocation costs, with the individual employee.
The employer must pay for the sponsorship and nomination costs. The visa applicant pays for the visa application fee.
You must pay the full charge in one go. The longest you can sponsor a worker for is 5 years, so the most you'll have to pay is: £1,820 (5 x £364) if you're a small or charitable sponsor. £5,000 (5 x £1,000) if you're a medium or large sponsor.
Complex legal processes: Sponsoring a foreigner for a work visa involves navigating complex legal procedures, paperwork, and regulations. Employers must stay up-to-date with immigration laws and regulations, which can be time-consuming and challenging.
The main types of visas for employer sponsorship are: Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (subclass 482): As of late 2024, this visa has replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. The SID visa allows Australian businesses to sponsor skilled workers to address labour shortages.
What cost obligations does my employer have as a sponsor? If your employer is your approved visa sponsor, they must pay all costs associated with becoming a sponsor, as well as: cost of sponsorship and nomination charges.
There is also an employer levy of up to £1,000 a year on work visas. All in, sponsoring a five-year work visa can cost up to £13,000, while a two-and-a-half-year spouse or partner visa costs £5,000.