Fast-track Dubai’s work visa in 5 days with 5 documents: All about the ‘work bundle’ platform

Aiming to streamline the application process, reduce paperwork, and expedite the issuance of visas and permits, the Work Bundle platform will “facilitate, simplify, and shorten the procedures for residency and work (permits) in the country,” as stated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE of Dubai, in a post on X.

The Work Bundle has been created to support the UAE’s vision of achieving “zero bureaucracy.” It aims to simplify government procedures, reduce unnecessary requirements and bureaucracy, and enhance efficiency and service quality.

This will bring unprecedented flexibility within the UAE’s bureaucratic framework, making it easier for people to navigate and conclude tasks and for private companies to establish and manage their businesses through a unified platform.

The process has been simplified from 16 documents to 5 documents. Additionally, the number of visits to government entities has been reduced from 7 visits to only 2 visits, resulting in a significant decrease in waiting and processing time, from 30 working days to just 5 working days.

Being first rolled out in Dubai before being implemented in other emirates, here’s a quick overview of the Work Bundle platform.

Dubai’s work visa: What services are integrated under the Work Bundle?

The Work Bundle platform integrates a range of employment services, such as renewal, cancellation, medical examination, and fingerprinting, into a single platform, simplifying the process for businesses and individuals.

Dubai’s work visa: Which government entities are collaborating on the Work Bundle?

The Work Bundle platform is a collaborative effort involving key government entities like the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre), the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP), the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

Additionally, the project receives support from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Digital Dubai, which provide essential digital infrastructure and services to facilitate seamless interactions between government entities.

Dubai’s work visa: How can employees overseas benefit from the Work Bundle?

Employees abroad can benefit from the Work Bundle platform by following specific steps for recruiting new employees from outside the country. This process involves filling out a unified application, obtaining a work permit for the employee, and completing residency procedures, including a medical examination and the issuance of an Emirates ID card. For renewal services, the company owner fills out the unified application, and the employee undergoes a medical examination and obtains the Emirates ID card.

The UAE has the largest Indian ethnic community, making up about 30% of the country’s population, as per the UAE government’s records, with the number of resident Indians estimated to be around 3.5 million in 2021. Hence, the Work Bundle platform will streamline hiring Indian and global talent in Dubai, making it more efficient and user-friendly.