Pre-Joining Checklist for New Hires

For someone coming from abroad: a signed MOHRE offer letter or contract, an approved work permit, an entry permit, then — after arrival — the medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics, active health insurance and the residence visa, with the employment contract registered with MOHRE. Payroll must be set up to pay through WPS. If the hire is already in the UAE, a change of status replaces the entry step.

The work visa is issued against your visa allocation, the hire completes the medical exam and visa stamping at home, travels, then the contract is documented on Qiwa, the iqama is issued, health insurance is active, the employee is registered with GOSI and salary runs through Mudad. For someone already working in Saudi Arabia, a transfer of services on Qiwa replaces the visa steps.

Yes. Nationals don't need a work permit or residence visa, so those steps disappear. Instead: pension registration (GPSSA in the UAE, GOSI in Saudi Arabia), the contract on the government system, WPS salary — and checking that the hire counts towards Emiratisation or Nitaqat. Tick 'The hire is a citizen' to switch the list.

It varies with the job category, nationality, emirate or city, and how quickly documents arrive, so plan with your PRO rather than a fixed number. The start date in your offer should always be 'subject to the work permit and visa being issued'.

Usually HR or the PRO owns the permit, visa, medical and contract steps; finance owns payroll; IT and the line manager own day-one readiness. Put names next to each section — the checklist has fields for the HR owner and line manager.