Overview

The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDIFA), formerly known as the GDRFA, has issued new requirements affecting both Employment Residence Permits and the Executive Golden Visa. These changes are effective immediately and are expected to significantly impact employers, HR teams, and skilled professionals planning to live and work in the UAE.

Failure to comply with these updates may result in delays or rejection of applications, making it crucial for companies and applicants to understand the new rules thoroughly.

Updated Requirements for Employment Residence Permits

The UAE continues to strengthen verification standards for education and employment categories. Here are the key changes:

• MOFA Attestation Mandatory: All educational certificates must be attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), regardless of whether the application is filed inside the UAE or from overseas.
• Additional Verification for Non-Bachelor/Master Degrees: If the certificate is not a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a recognized university, applicants must complete:
  1. Verification through DataFlow (authorized partner of the UAE Ministry of Education).
  2. Equivalency/recognition certificate from the Ministry of Higher Education, confirming details of the course and duration of study.

  This step is particularly enforced for Free Zone applications.

• Job Title Classification (Mainland/MOHRE): For managerial titles, the legalized educational certificate must clearly indicate a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a recognized university. Certificates issued by diploma-granting institutions will not qualify for managerial positions.

Employers should anticipate additional processing times when equivalency reports are required and communicate these requirements to candidates during the hiring stage.

Executive Golden Visa: New Eligibility Criteria

The UAE’s prestigious Executive Golden Visa category has also seen updates. In addition to existing requirements, applicants must now meet the following:

• Minimum Tenure: At least two years of continuous employment with their current UAE employer.
• Company Size: If the employer is Free Zone-based, it must sponsor at least 10 employees.
• Salary Requirement: A minimum monthly salary of AED 50,000.
• Other Existing Criteria: Proof of stable income, valid employment contract, and degree equivalency remain mandatory.

These stricter eligibility conditions aim to ensure that Executive Golden Visas are granted to individuals with proven stability, leadership roles, and contributions to the UAE economy.

What This Means for Employers & Employees

• Employers must proactively verify educational credentials and ensure employees’ qualifications meet UAE standards before initiating work permit applications.
• Free Zone companies should prepare for longer processing timelines, especially when equivalency certificates are required.
• Golden Visa applicants must carefully review the new conditions to avoid delays or rejections.

By planning ahead, companies can minimize disruptions to recruitment and onboarding processes.

How Visago.ae Can Support Employers and Employees

At Visago.ae, we understand the urgency of bringing talent into the UAE without delays. While Employment Residence Permits and Golden Visas can take time due to attestations and verifications, employers can avoid business disruption by first bringing employees into the country on a Dubai Tourist Visa.

Visago.ae offers a seamless online Dubai tourist visa application process, enabling employees to arrive ahead of time while their residence or Golden Visa applications are being processed. This solution allows businesses to onboard staff faster and maintain operations without waiting for lengthy immigration procedures.

Apply Now for a Dubai Tourist Visa Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need to attest my degree if it was issued in the UAE?

No, UAE-issued certificates are already recognized. Attestation is required for foreign-issued degrees.

Can a diploma holder qualify for a managerial role in Mainland applications?

No. Only a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a recognized university qualifies for managerial job titles.

How long does the equivalency process take?

Depending on the institution and country, it may take between 2 to 6 weeks to obtain MOE equivalency after MOFA attestation.

Can employers apply for a tourist visa for new hires?

Yes. Many employers use tourist visas as a temporary solution to bring employees into the UAE while waiting for residence or Golden Visa approvals. Visago.ae simplifies this process with a fast online application system.