Relocation for Delhi Job Guide
If you are relocating to a new job, your employer will act as your sponsor. As they are sponsoring you, they will be responsible for submitting the paperwork to the appropriate office for you and any relatives you choose to sponsor. They will also help and guide you through the process.
To begin with, they will help you apply for an employment visa. This single-entry visa allows the holder to enter the country for 30 days, and is valid for two months from the date that it is issued. Unless you have a particularly high-ranking position, you must be aged between 18 and 60 to be eligible to apply for this visa.
To apply for the visa, you will need:
- 12 passport-sized photographs
- a passport which is valid for at least 6 months
- the offer letter from your employer
- attested copies of relevant degrees/qualifications
- flight details
Your employer will then apply to the Ministry of Labour for permission to employ you. The visa will be issued by the immigration department.
You will not be able to sponsor your family until your residence permit has come through. If they come at the same time as you, they will probably enter on a tourist visa.
To obtain residency once you arrive in Dubai, you must undergo a medical examination and blood test. To take the medical examination, you will need:
- two copies of your passport
- a copy of your employment visa which was stamped at the airport
- two passport-sized photographs.
Your employer will advise you where to go and may even accompany you. Hospitals which can carry out the medical examination and blood tests include the Maktoum Hospital and Al Bahara Hospital. Results will normally be available within a week. (It is important to know that anyone who is HIV positive is not eligible to apply for residency and if tested positive will be given 48 hours to leave the country.)
To apply for the residence visa, you will need to provide:
- an application form
- your original passport
- two passport-sized photographs
- your original employment visa
- your original medical examination and blood test certificate.
The minimum amount of time for processing the residence visa is two weeks.
Once you have received your residence visa, you can sponsor your spouse and children. Men and female doctors, nurses and teachers are able to sponsor their families. However, if you are female and not in one of these professions, check with your prospective employer to see whether you will be able to sponsor your spouse and children.
Anyone over the age of 18 will be required to undergo the medical examination and blood test.
You can then apply for the residence visa. If you will be sponsoring your family, you will need:
- original passports for each family member
- original tourist visas / entry stamps
- two passport-sized photographs
- the original medical examination and blood test certificate (if over 18 years)
- copies of your labour contract (which your employer will provide)
- a copy of your passport, including your residence visa.
