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UAE Outlines Job Exploration Visa Eligibility and Stay Periods for Foreign Nationals

The UAE has detailed the two qualifying categories for foreign nationals seeking a Job Exploration Visa without a local sponsor. Eligible applicants include skilled personnel classified under professional levels 1 to 3 and recent graduates from the world's top 500 universities. The single-entry permit offers validity durations of 60, 90, or 120 days.

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Issuing authority
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
Jurisdiction
United Arab Emirates
Publication date
September 27, 2026
Stage
Final rule
Official source
news.google.com
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The United Arab Emirates has outlined the eligibility criteria and stay periods for foreign nationals applying for its Job Exploration Visa without requiring a host or employer sponsor, according to official guidance cited by Legit News.

Under the stated rules, eligibility is restricted to two specific categories. The first group comprises workers classified as skilled labour in professional levels 1, 2, or 3 by the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The second category covers graduates of universities ranked among the top 500 globally under classifications recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education, provided that no more than two years have passed since graduation.

All applicants are required to hold at least a bachelor's degree or its academic equivalent and fulfill a prescribed financial guarantee. The single-entry visa is issued with validity options of 60, 90, or 120 days.

The permit is strictly designed to allow eligible individuals to enter the country to explore job opportunities and attend interviews, and it does not authorise holders to work in the UAE without subsequently obtaining a separate formal work permit.

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