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PRO & Document Clearance

Government paperwork handled end to end: visas, Emirates ID, labour contracts, attestations and licence renewals.

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Overview

PRO services cover the government paperwork every UAE company deals with: visas, Emirates ID, labour contracts, licence renewals and document attestation. A PRO, short for public relations officer, prepares and submits these applications and follows them through each authority. Almahira acts as your PRO team, so you do not need to hire one in-house.

Most transactions involve more than one authority. Mainland work permits and labour contracts go through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), residency through GDRFA Dubai or ICP, and licence changes through the Department of Economy and Tourism or your free zone. Missing an attestation, a renewal date or a medical appointment can hold up an entire process or lead to fines.

We keep a record of your licence, establishment card, visa and Emirates ID expiry dates, prepare each application, book appointments, and tell you exactly what you or your employees need to do in person.

Key facts

Work permits and labour contracts
MOHRE for mainland companies, through the Work Bundle; free zones issue their own permits
Residence visas and Emirates ID
ICP, or GDRFA Dubai for Dubai residency
Labour law
Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on labour relations, as amended
Unemployment insurance
Mandatory for most private-sector and federal government employees; AED 400 fine for not subscribing
Grace period
Up to six months after cancellation or expiry, depending on the residence category
Overstay fine
AED 50 per day for residence and visit visas (as of October 2026)

Who it's for

New companies hiring staff
You have just received your licence and need your establishment card, your own investor visa and your first employment visas.
SMEs without an in-house PRO
You have a small team and want renewals, new hires and cancellations handled without employing a full-time PRO.
Families moving to Dubai
You hold a UAE residence visa and want to sponsor your spouse, children or parents.
Individuals clearing documents
You need certificates attested, translated into Arabic or cleared with a government office for a specific purpose.

What's included

  • Employment and investor visa processing
  • Family residence visas
  • Emirates ID and medical fitness appointments
  • Labour contracts and MOHRE approvals
  • Document attestation and legal translation
  • Trade licence renewals and amendments
  • Establishment card applications and renewals
  • Visa cancellations and status changes
  • Expiry tracking and renewal reminders

Documents you'll usually need

  • Passport copy with at least six months' validity
  • Passport photo with a white background
  • Trade licence and establishment card copies
  • Current visa or entry stamp, for applicants already in the UAE
  • Signed job offer, for new employees
  • Attested educational certificates, for job titles that require them
  • Attested marriage and birth certificates, for family sponsorship
  • Registered tenancy contract (Ejari), for mainland licence renewals and family visas

The exact list depends on your nationality, activity and the authority involved. We confirm it with you before anything is submitted.

How it works

  1. Review your needs

    We list the transactions you need, check current expiry dates and visa status, and send you a document checklist for each person.

  2. Prepare applications

    We collect and check your documents, arrange attestation or legal translation if needed, and prepare each application in the format the authority requires.

  3. Submit and follow up

    We submit to MOHRE, GDRFA, ICP, the Department of Economy and Tourism or your free zone, pay government fees with your approval, and respond to any queries.

  4. Medical and biometrics

    Where a visa is involved, we book the medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics, and tell the applicant where to go and what to bring.

  5. Completion and reminders

    You receive the issued documents, and we record the new expiry dates so renewals start before anything lapses.

Typical timeline

Simple transactions, such as a licence renewal or amendment, can often be completed within a few working days once documents are ready. A new employment visa takes longer because it passes through several approvals, a medical test and biometrics, and missing attestations are a common cause of delay.

Common questions

What does a PRO do in Dubai?

A PRO, or public relations officer, handles a company's dealings with government departments. That includes work permits, residence visas, Emirates ID, labour contracts, licence renewals, establishment cards and document clearing. In practice, a PRO prepares applications, submits them, follows up on queries and makes sure deadlines are met. Many smaller companies use an outside PRO service instead of hiring one full time.

Do free zone companies need PRO services?

Usually, yes, although the process is different. Most free zone authorities issue their own work permits and process residence visas through their own systems, rather than through MOHRE. Someone still needs to prepare the documents, track expiry dates, book medical tests and biometrics, and handle renewals and cancellations. We work with both mainland and free zone processes.

How long does an employment visa take in Dubai?

It depends on whether the employee is inside or outside the UAE, the job title, and whether their documents are ready. For mainland companies, the work permit, residence visa, medical test and Emirates ID now run through the Work Bundle, a single combined application. Most delays come from missing attestations or slow document collection, so we give you an estimate once we have seen the file.

What is document attestation and why do I need it?

Attestation confirms that a document issued in one country is genuine so it can be used in another. The UAE has not joined the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille alone is usually not enough: a foreign degree or marriage certificate is attested by authorities in the issuing country, then by the UAE embassy there, and finally by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some authorities also need a legal Arabic translation. We manage the whole chain.

What is an establishment card?

An establishment card, also called an immigration card, registers your company with the immigration authority. You need it before you can sponsor any residence visas, including your own investor or partner visa. It is issued after your trade licence and must be renewed, usually alongside your licence. We apply for it and track its expiry date for you.

What happens if my trade licence or visas expire?

You face fines, and other applications can stall. Late renewal of a trade licence, establishment card or residence visa can lead to fines, and an expired licence can block new visa applications and cause problems with your bank. Staying in the UAE after a visa expires or is cancelled, once any grace period ends, costs AED 50 a day (as of October 2026). If something has already expired, contact us and we will bring your file up to date.

Can you process visas for my family?

Yes, with you as the sponsor. You need a monthly salary of at least AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, and you can sponsor your spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and children with special needs. Expect to provide a registered tenancy contract and attested marriage and birth certificates, and family members aged 18 or over take a medical test. We check your eligibility first, then prepare and track every application.

How long is a UAE residence visa valid?

It depends on the visa. Sponsored residence visas, such as employment or family visas, are issued for 1, 2 or 3 years, while self-sponsored visas such as the Green or Golden Visa run for up to 5 or 10 years. Your Emirates ID expires when your visa does, so the two are renewed together. We track both dates and start renewals before anything lapses.

Guides on this topic

Last reviewed . Rules change often; we confirm current requirements during your consultation.

Sources

Tell us what you're planning

One short call is usually enough to recommend a jurisdiction, licence and visa route. A written quote follows.

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