Internsme

Join

Login

I am an employer

I am a candidate

Join InternsME and be part of the regions fastest growing community!





Facebook_visa guide_oliv

UAE Visa Guidelines for Hiring Your Next Intern: Mainland and Free Zones

We built our organization in Dubai with and for interns but when we first set out to do this, it was the furthest thing from straightforward.

So we surveyed our employers and quickly learned we were not alone.

There are 3 common misconceptions that employers face when first hiring their interns in the UAE:

  1. DOCUMENTS. SO MANY DOCUMENTS
  2. It’s too complicated
  3. I’m in a free-zone, I can’t, right?

For those reasons we needed this visa guide to be out there, for beautiful, intern-loving people like you to see.

It’s messy out there

There’s a lot of confusion about the legal guidelines of hiring an intern in the UAE given all the different rules and regulations in all the different free zones: DIFC, DMCC, TECOM, DAFZA, JAFZA, FFZA, RAK FTZ… offering all the different identity cards, access cards, and work permits.

Yang gif

So yes, there’s a LOT of confusion and there should be, it’s not easily available and people say it’s Google’s most recurring nightmare. Until now (you’re welcome, Google).

But it’s easier than you think

We sat and poured over thousands and thousands (okay, maybe tens) of booklets, guides, pamphlets, made a bunch of calls to different regulatory bodies across the UAE and compiled the information we found into one comprehensive guide.

This guide will be continuously updated while we learn, build and organize information from all the free zones and government authorities in the UAE, we thought we’d start with the largest. However, it is important to note that visa regulations can change (and often do).

While this guide is useful as a reference, we have no actual authority :(. We’re just your friendly neighborhood spider-people. We strongly recommend reaching out your respective officials (details below) to confirm processes, regulations and fees.

We’ve organized this guide by separating out all free zone and mainland regulations to make navigation easier for you:

DMCC TECOM DIFC DAFZA MAINLAND JAFZA

DMCC Logo

Multi-Talented Interns at Dubai’s Multi-Commodities Center (DMCC)

DMCC has two intern-friendly work permits: an Approval Access (AA) and a Permanent Identity Card (PIC).

The AA is for individuals who are on a student visa or already on a company visa. Individuals on an existing company visa are allowed to remain under that visa and participate in a period of short-term work experience with another company.

Fees:

  • 1 month = 170 AED
  • 3 months = 285 AED
  • 12 months = 520 AED

The PIC is for female candidates who are on a parent or spouse-sponsored visa. This option cannot be used for male candidates unless they are UAE nationals. This card is valid for 12 months, with an annual renewal.

Fees:

  • 12 months 1,120 AED

Applications for both the AA and the PIC can be submitted online and the employer is required to submit the following documents on behalf of the candidate:

  • Copy of visa page
  • Copy of passport
  • NOC from candidate’s sponsor
  • Passport-sized photo
  • Copy of Sponsor’s passport and visa page
  • Copy of offer letter
  • Copy of trade license

If you have additional questions, you may contact DMCC customer service at customercare@dmcc.ae or +971 4 424 9600.

TECOM Logo

Here’s how you fill your TECOMpany with Interns!

Businesses operating in TECOM are only permitted to hire interns who are on a student visa (with one of 23 TECOM-based universities) or on a parent or spouse-sponsored residence visa. Candidates on student visas need to be actively working towards their degree and must still be at a UAE university with a valid student visa.

The following documents are required in order for a candidate to be approved:

  • NOC from candidate’s university
  • Copy of student visa page
  • Letter outlining candidate’s major and academic activities

An intern placement does not typically count against the company’s staff/visa quota. However this is approved and determined on a case-by-case basis. Hiring interns at TECOM-based organizations can get very confusing very fast because much of the hiring process is approved on a case-by-case basis so we would recommend speaking to an official from the TECOM management team.

The maximum duration of all internships is three months.

The path to TECOM internships comes with three different options for work permits: a Non-Sponsored ID Card, a Temporary Access Card, and a Temporary Work Permit.

The Non-sponsored ID Card is for candidates who are on parent or spouse-sponsored visa. Candidates may also be required to submit a request for a Temporary Access Pass from the authorizing office.

Fees: 12 months: 720 AED (5-7 days) / Express: 1270 AED (3-5 days)

The Temporary Access Card option is for candidates on a student visa (those who are university students). The TAC is based on approval by TECOM management and fees are paid only after approval is received.

Fees:

  • 1 month: 110 AED (5-7 days) / Express: 360 AED (3-5 days)
  • 3 months: 310 AED (5-7 days) / Express: 560 AED (3-5 days)

The Temporary Work Permit is for dependents who are candidates in roles related to advertising and events only. Even if you’re sure your company activities fall under ‘Advertising and Events’, we would still recommend getting in touch with the TECOM team to get a confirmation.

Fees:

  • 1 month: 610 AED (5-7 days) / Express: 1160 AED (3-5 days)
  • 3 months: 1160 AED (5-7 days) / Express: 1710 AED (3-5 days)

The issuance of all Work Permits and ID Cards are subject to approval by the governing entity in charge and the following documents are required as part of the application:

  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of visa page
  • Passport-sized photo
  • Copy of the offer letter
  • NOC from candidate’s sponsor
  • Copy of sponsor’s passport and visa page
  • Copy of offer letter
  • Copy of trade license

For additional information, you can contact TECOM customer care at customercare@tecomgroup.ae or 800 4297.

DIFC Logo

Today’s DIFC Interns, Tomorrow’s Financial Advisors

 

DIFC has one option for employers looking to let interns shine their magic on their organization. Candidates can be granted a Temporary Work Permit, which lasts from one month to a year.

Candidates on a parent/spouse/employment/student visa are required to obtain a Temporary Work Permit in order to participate in an internship. The duration of the internship can be one month, three months, six months, or one year.

On an employment visa, candidates follow the same process as would on a parent/spouse visa with the addition of a service level agreement between the visa sponsor and the internship employer.

Fees:

  • 1 month: 870 AED (3 days) / Express: 1,110 AED (1 day)
  • 3 months: 1,200 AED (3 days) / Express: 1,520 AED (1 day)
  • 6 months: 1,420 AED (3 days) / Express: 1,820 AED (1 day)
  • 12 months: 2,370 AED (3 days) / Express: 3,050 AED (1 day)

The following documents are required for application of Visitors Cards and Work Permits:

  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of visa page from passport
  • Copy of entry stamp on passport (visitors cards only)
  • Passport-sized photo
  • Copy of the offer letter
  • NOC from the university (visitors cards only)
  • NOC from candidate’s sponsor (if sponsored visa)
  • Copy of sponsor’s passport and visa page (if sponsored visa)
  • Copy of offer letter
  • Copy of trade license

Companies registered in DIFC can contact +971 4 362 2222 for more details.

DAFZA Logo

Hire Interns on the fly at DAFZA!

The DAFZA has three different options for candidates, which depend on their visa.

A 1 Month Temporary ID Card can be issued to a candidate who is:

  • on a visit visa (minimum 30 days validity) issued by DAFZA OR
  • on a visa stamped on arrival OR
  • on a valid residence visa

A 3 Months Temporary ID Card can be granted to a candidate who is:

  • on a visit visa (minimum 90 days validity) issued by DAFZA OR
  • on a visa stamped on arrival OR
  • on a valid residence visa

A 1 Year Temporary ID Card can be issued to a candidate who is on a valid parent, student, or spouse-sponsored residence visa.

The following documents are required for processing:

1 Months – 3 Months:

  • NOC from the university with details of training period
  • Letter outlining internship offer, details, and activities
  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of visit visa page
  • Copy of entry stamp on passport
  • Copy of offer letter and contract
  • Two passport-sized photos
  • Copy of health insurance
  • NOC from candidate’s sponsor (if applicable)
  • Copy of sponsor’s passport (if applicable)
  • Copy of trade license

1 Year:

  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of residence visa page
  • Labor card from Labor Office
  • Copy of offer letter and contract
  • Two passport-sized photos
  • Copy of health insurance
  • NOC from candidate’s sponsor
  • Copy of sponsor’s passport and visa page
  • Copy of offer letter
  • Copy of trade license

Applications for all temporary ID cards take 5-7 business days and can be submitted online on Tas’heel. All submissions are subject to approval by management and the fees are disclosed once the processing has begun.

For additional details, you can contact: +971 4 202 7945.

Phew! So that’s all of the free zones done. Now, let’s head to the mainland.

UAE Ministry of Labor Logo

Interns Welcome in the Motherland Mainland!

Fortunately, the process of hiring interns in a business operating in the mainland is pretty simple. There’s one option: a Temporary Work Permit.

Similar to the PIC or AA from DMCC, a Temporary Work Permit can only be granted to candidates who are on a parent visa, spouse-sponsored visa, student visa, or company visa – candidates on visit visas will not qualify. The permit authorizes candidates to work on a temporary or short-term basis for a maximum of six months (full-time) or one year (part-time). This permit is valid only for six months at a time and cannot be renewed. If a renewal is needed, you will have to apply for another permit.

Documents required are:

  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of visa page
  • Copy of sponsor’s passport and visa page
  • NOC from candidate’s sponsor
  • Passport picture
  • Copy of highest academic degree certificate
  • Copy of offer letter
  • Copy of trade license
  • e-Signature on application

In the case of a company-sponsored application, additional documents are required:

  • Copy of sponsoring company’s trade license
  • e-Signature of sponsoring company on application
  • NOC from old employer

Fees: 600 AED (5-7 days)

Contact MOHRE for additional details at ask@mohre.gov.ae or 800 66473.

jafza header

Hire in a jiffy at JAFZA

The JAFZA requires candidates to have a Labor Card or a Permanent Identity Card in order to begin interning.

Labor Cards are granted to candidates on a student, parent or spouse visa and are valid for a maximum duration of six months. LCs can only be granted if the applicants primary visa is valid – e.g., if the residence or student visa is valid for three and a half months, the LC won’t be issued because a 6 month visa validity is needed for a permit to be issued.

A PIC is granted to candidates who are on a spouse or parent visa, and is valid for a maximum duration of one year. The PIC counts against a company’s employee visa quota and is only granted to those who have a Dubai visa.

  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of visa page
  • Copy of Emirates ID
  • Copy of trade license copy (if sponsored by a university)
  • Passport/visa copy (if sponsored by a spouse/parent)
  • NOC from candidate’s sponsor (addressed to JAFZA)
  • Passport picture
  • Copy of insurance card
  • Application form
  • Additional documents as requested

Contact JAFZA for further information at 800 52392.

This is the first part of a two-part guide outlining the visa guidelines for hiring interns in the UAE. The first part covers the UAE mainland and Dubai free zones and the second part will cover mainland and free zones regulations in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, RAK, and UAQ.

We’ll see you next time for part two of UAE Visa Guidelines for Hiring Your Next Intern! In the meantime, if you have any questions, let us know in the comments below or hit us up on Twitter.

Happy hiring!

PS. Got the visas down but need more help setting up an internship program? Get additional resources straight to your inbox

Join +4,500 employers getting our weekly posts about growth.

Stay Inspired!

Get actionable advice and resources on growing your business biweekly.