PRO services in Dubai
Most UAE companies with staff need a steady flow of government transactions — the establishment card, work permits, visas, Emirates IDs and renewals. We handle them for you and keep the expiry dates on one calendar.
The government transactions we handle
| Establishment card | Immigration file for the company — issue, renewal, amendment and cancellation (the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP); in Dubai, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA); the free zone authority for free zone companies) |
| MOHRE establishment file | Registration of a mainland company with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, e-signature card and quota |
| Work permits | New, transfer, part-time, temporary and other MOHRE work permit types |
| Entry permit & change of status | Employment entry permit for new hires, and status change for those already in the UAE |
| Residence & Emirates ID | Medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics and residence issue or renewal |
| Labour contracts | Fixed-term contracts under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, renewals and amendments |
| Cancellations | Labour contract, residence visa and establishment card cancellations, in the right order |
| Attestation | Degree and document attestation, including UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation |
Hiring an employee on the mainland — the usual sequence
- The company holds an establishment card with the immigration authority (GDRFA in Dubai), normally obtained straight after licensing.
- The company is registered with MOHRE and has an e-signature card and an approved quota.
- Work permit application, with the employee's passport (valid for at least six months), photo and attested qualifications where required.
- Employment entry permit, or change of status if the employee is already in the UAE.
- Medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics and residence issue.
- Labour contract registered with MOHRE.
Many of these steps can now run together through the federal Work Bundle platform, which combines work permits, residency, Emirates ID, medicals and contracts.
Keeping the company compliant
- Wages: private-sector employers registered with MOHRE pay salaries through the Wage Protection System (WPS), on time. MOHRE updates the WPS rules from time to time, so we check your payroll dates against the current rules.
- Renewals: the trade licence, establishment card, work permits and residence visas expire on different dates. We keep one calendar for all of them.
- Exits: the labour contract is cancelled first, then the visa. Grace periods depend on the resident category, so we plan exits with you.
How we help
We handle government transactions on your behalf, track the expiry dates you share with us and send reminders ahead of them — renewals remain the company's responsibility. For new companies we combine PRO work with setup, banking and tax registration, and after setup our tax & accounting team at pbz.ae can run payroll-ready bookkeeping, VAT and Corporate Tax — see bookkeeping services. Approvals are always decided by the authorities.
Sources: Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations, as amended; ICP — Issuing an Establishment Card, Issuing Residency Permit, and announcement of 5 April 2022 on residence stickers; GDRFA Dubai — Establishment Card and employment entry permit services; u.ae — Recruiting on the mainland, Work permits, Preparing to work, Employment contracts and General provisions for the residence visa (updated August–September 2026); MOHRE — Wage Protection System and Work Bundle guidance; UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Attestation services.
How PRO support works
Review
We list your licence, card, permits and visas with their expiry dates.
Plan
One calendar for renewals, new hires and exits.
Process
We prepare and submit each transaction and follow it up until the authority decides.
Report
You get clear updates on what was done and what's next.
Frequently asked questions
What do PRO services cover?
PRO (public relations officer) services are the government transactions a company needs to run: establishment card, MOHRE registration, work permits, entry permits, residence visas and Emirates ID, medical fitness tests, labour contracts, renewals and cancellations, and document attestation.
How long is an employment residence visa valid?
The standard UAE work residence visa is valid for two years and can be renewed. The Emirates ID is the proof of residence — visa stickers in passports stopped from April 2022.
Do employees still need a visa stamped in the passport?
No. Since 11 April 2022 the UAE no longer issues residence stickers in passports; the Emirates ID serves as proof of residence.
What happens if a visa is not cancelled properly?
The employer cancels the labour contract with MOHRE first, then the residence visa. After cancellation or expiry, the grace period depends on the resident category, and overstaying carries daily fines. An establishment card can generally be cancelled only after every residence visa on it has been cancelled or transferred.
Do you handle free zone visas too?
Yes. Free zone visas and establishment cards are processed through the free zone authority's portal rather than MOHRE, but the immigration steps — entry permit, medical, Emirates ID — are similar. We handle both.
Need help with visas and government transactions?
Send us your licence and a list of your staff visas. We'll set up a renewal calendar and send a written quote for ongoing PRO support.