The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently updated its immigration rules, and this one matters if you work on short-term projects or move in and out of the country for assignments.
The Visit Visa for Work Assignments, often called the Mission Visa, is set to become a multiple-entry visa valid for two years. That is a big shift from how the visa works today.
Under the new rules, the visa will officially allow multiple entries over two years. Each stay can last up to 60 days, as long as the total time spent in the UAE does not go beyond 180 days in one year.
Until now, the rules were unclear. On paper, multiple entry was allowed, but in reality, most people received only a single-entry visa capped at 90 days.
There is another important update.
Visa holders will need to complete a medical examination within 15 days of their first entry into the UAE. This requirement did not exist earlier for this visa type, so it’s something travellers and employers need to plan for.
This change is designed for flexibility.
For foreign workers, it makes short work trips easier. You can enter, leave, and return without starting the visa process again each time.
For employers, it helps manage temporary projects, short-term contracts, and probation periods more smoothly. Instead of rushing paperwork or switching visas, companies can bring people in when they are needed.
That part is unclear as of now.
The regulation has been updated, but practical implementation details are pending. Authorities are expected to release more guidance soon, including:
If you are planning work-related travel to the UAE, this update is promising, but timing matters. Until the new system is fully rolled out, current single-entry practices may continue.
For now, the final takeaway is simple. The UAE is setting up a more flexible system for short-term work, but travellers should wait for official rollout details before planning around the new rules.
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