The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for business and innovation. In February 2022, the government introduced the Visit Visa for a Work Assignment — more commonly known as the Mission Visa or Mission Work Permit. Designed for short-term projects, this single-entry visa allows foreign professionals to work in the UAE for up to 90 days.
While initially restricted to mainland companies, the Mission Visa has now been extended to free zones. This development marks a significant step toward compliance, transparency, and flexibility for both businesses and international workers.
When first launched, the Mission Visa excluded free zone companies, leaving them dependent on “leisure visas” that permitted only limited activities, such as attending meetings or conferences. Employers who used such visas for actual work assignments risked non-compliance with UAE labor regulations.
Recognizing this gap, the UAE government extended the Mission Visa to free zones in July 2022. Practical implementation began in late 2024, with the Dubai Development Authority (DDA) and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) now offering Mission Visas. These zones host major players in technology, logistics, media, and manufacturing, making the reform particularly impactful.
With this change, companies can engage short-term foreign workers within a clear legal framework, while professionals gain the opportunity to experience the UAE’s business culture and potentially transition to long-term roles.
Unlike general visit visas, the Mission Visa places temporary workers under the protection of UAE labor law. This ensures:
By linking assignments to labor protections, the Mission Visa helps prevent abuse and strengthens the country’s reputation as a responsible destination for global talent.
Although implementation is underway, several aspects of the Mission Visa in free zones remain unclear:
The Mission Visa’s expansion improves the operating environment for free zone companies by offering:
As implementation evolves, the system is expected to move fully online, and additional free zones are likely to adopt the Mission Visa. Stakeholders have also suggested that a multi-entry option could provide even greater flexibility, particularly for professionals engaged in recurring or cross-border projects.
Pros:
Cons:
The Mission Visa’s extension to free zones represents a pivotal development in the UAE’s immigration landscape. By combining operational flexibility with stronger worker protections, it aligns with global standards while reinforcing the UAE’s position as a premier destination for business and talent.
As more free zones adopt this visa, and as procedures become streamlined, the Mission Visa could play a central role in shaping the UAE’s ability to attract skilled professionals for the projects driving its economic future.
While initially restricted to mainland companies, the Mission Visa has now been extended to free zones. This development marks a significant step toward compliance, transparency, and flexibility for both businesses and international workers.
Expanding Access to Free Zones
When first launched, the Mission Visa excluded free zone companies, leaving them dependent on “leisure visas” that permitted only limited activities, such as attending meetings or conferences. Employers who used such visas for actual work assignments risked non-compliance with UAE labor regulations.
Recognizing this gap, the UAE government extended the Mission Visa to free zones in July 2022. Practical implementation began in late 2024, with the Dubai Development Authority (DDA) and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) now offering Mission Visas. These zones host major players in technology, logistics, media, and manufacturing, making the reform particularly impactful.
With this change, companies can engage short-term foreign workers within a clear legal framework, while professionals gain the opportunity to experience the UAE’s business culture and potentially transition to long-term roles.
Strengthening Worker Protections
Unlike general visit visas, the Mission Visa places temporary workers under the protection of UAE labor law. This ensures:
- Clear, written employment contracts specifying duties and duration.
- Coverage under regulations governing wages, working conditions, and dispute resolution.
- Greater transparency for both employers and employees.
By linking assignments to labor protections, the Mission Visa helps prevent abuse and strengthens the country’s reputation as a responsible destination for global talent.
Areas of Uncertainty
Although implementation is underway, several aspects of the Mission Visa in free zones remain unclear:
- Online applications: Full digital processing through DDA and JAFZA portals has yet to be introduced.
- Renewals: While the visa can be extended once for another 90 days, it is not yet clear whether renewal can be done without leaving the UAE.
- Visa quotas in JAFZA: Companies with existing quotas for leisure visit visas will continue to use them until exhausted, after which Mission Visas will apply. The mechanics of quota allocation remain undefined.
- Wage Protection System (WPS): Employers sponsoring workers for more than 30 days in DDA must subscribe to the WPS, but whether this rule extends to JAFZA Mission Visas has not yet been confirmed.
Impact on Businesses and Talent
The Mission Visa’s expansion improves the operating environment for free zone companies by offering:
- A compliant, transparent mechanism for hiring foreign nationals on short-term assignments.
- Increased operational flexibility for businesses managing projects with fixed deadlines.
- Opportunities for foreign professionals to test the UAE market before committing to relocation.
As implementation evolves, the system is expected to move fully online, and additional free zones are likely to adopt the Mission Visa. Stakeholders have also suggested that a multi-entry option could provide even greater flexibility, particularly for professionals engaged in recurring or cross-border projects.
Pros and Cons of the Mission Visa in Free Zones
Pros:
- Provides legal clarity and compliance for short-term assignments.
- Extends labor law protections to temporary workers.
- Increases flexibility for businesses across key industries.
- Enhances the UAE’s attractiveness as a destination for international talent.
- Potential stepping stone for long-term relocation of skilled professionals.
Cons:
- Currently limited to only two free zones (DDA and JAFZA).
- Some procedural elements remain unclear (renewals, online processing, quotas).
- Single-entry format restricts flexibility for repeated short-term assignments.
- Costs and compliance obligations (e.g., WPS) may deter some employers.
Final Thoughts
The Mission Visa’s extension to free zones represents a pivotal development in the UAE’s immigration landscape. By combining operational flexibility with stronger worker protections, it aligns with global standards while reinforcing the UAE’s position as a premier destination for business and talent.
As more free zones adopt this visa, and as procedures become streamlined, the Mission Visa could play a central role in shaping the UAE’s ability to attract skilled professionals for the projects driving its economic future.