Dubai introduces job seeker visa for skilled professionals

The Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has introduced a Job Exploration Entry Permit, allowing skilled professionals to enter the United Arab Emirates to seek employment without a local sponsor or employer.

Under this single-entry visa, eligible candidates can choose initial stays of 60, 90, or 120 days, with the possibility of extensions up to a total of 180 days. The permit is specifically targeted at skilled workers, including managers, executives, professionals, and technicians. Recent graduates from top 500 international universities may also be eligible.

While the visa facilitates job hunting, attending interviews, and networking, it is not a work permit. Holders are prohibited from drawing a salary or signing employment contracts until a formal residency visa is processed by a hiring company. Applicants are responsible for their own living expenses and must comply with specific documentation requirements, including attested educational qualifications and proof of financial means.