There’s a lot of confusion around the question: can a Golden Visa holder work for multiple companies in the UAE?
Most of this confusion comes from mixing up residency flexibility with employment permission.
The UAE Golden Visa does offer far more freedom than traditional visas — but it does not remove labour law requirements.
You may live independently, change employers freely, and stay long term — but employment itself remains regulated.
This article explains the reality clearly: what the Golden Visa allows, what it doesn’t, and how professionals, founders, and consultants can structure their work without risking compliance issues.
What a Golden Visa Actually Is (And Isn’t)
The Golden Visa is a long-term, self-sponsored residency permit introduced to attract investors, entrepreneurs, and highly skilled professionals to the UAE.
It allows holders to:
- Live in the UAE without a sponsor
- Change employers without cancelling residency
- Sponsor family members
- Study, invest, and establish businesses
What it is not:
- A work permit
- A blanket authorisation to work anywhere without approvals
Unlike traditional employment visas, your residency is not tied to one employer. That’s why many people assume they can work freely across multiple companies.
However, labour and employment regulations still apply.
Important Note on Golden Visa Salary Eligibility
For professionals applying under the skilled professional or manager category, eligibility is assessed based on basic salary only, not total compensation.
As per current Dubai processing standards:
- Minimum basic salary: AED 30,000 per month
- Allowances are not counted
- Only the basic salary shown on the labour contract is considered
Income from consulting, advisory roles, or secondary engagements does not replace this requirement.
The Core Truth: Residency ≠ Work Authorization
For Golden Visa holders, employment is regulated through a Temporary Work Permit issued by MOHRE.
Key facts:
- The permit is typically issued for 6 months
- It can be extended up to a maximum of 24 months
- It authorises employment with one company only
Here’s the critical distinction:
Golden Visa = long-term residency
Work Permit = legal authorisation to be employed
The Golden Visa gives you the right to live in the UAE.
A work permit gives you the right to be employed and paid by a UAE entity.
If a company wants to hire you, they must issue a valid work permit, even if you already hold a Golden Visa.
Can a Golden Visa Holder Work for Multiple Companies?
No.
A Golden Visa holder can legally work for only one company at a time.
Even with a Golden Visa:
- Only one active MOHRE work permit is allowed
- A second permit cannot be issued until the existing one is cancelled
- There is no legal concept of part-time employment under MOHRE for Golden Visa holders
Some companies may use the term “part-time” in internal offer letters or agreements, but this has no legal standing with the labour department.
How Employment Works in Practice for Golden Visa Holders
In practice, the Golden Visa offers employment flexibility — not concurrent employment.
What you can do:
- Change employers without cancelling your residency
- Move between mainland and free zone roles
- Take breaks between jobs without visa risk
What you cannot do:
- Hold two jobs at the same time
- Maintain multiple active work permits
- Be legally employed by two companies concurrently
To change employers:
- The current temporary work permit must be cancelled
- The new employer applies for a new work permit
- Your Golden Visa remains untouched
What You Don’t Need
Despite these employment rules, Golden Visa holders do not need:
- A visa sponsor
- A UAE national partner
- An NOC from a previous employer
- To cancel residency when switching jobs
- To reapply for residency with every job change
That independence is exactly what the Golden Visa was designed to provide.
Common Scenarios Explained
The examples below reflect legal, compliant structures, not simultaneous employment.
Example 1: Full-Time Role + Advisory Engagements (Non-Employment)
A senior technology leader relocates to the UAE on a Golden Visa and accepts a full-time role with a technology firm.
Alongside this, they:
- Advise startups informally
- Serve as a strategic advisor without employment contracts
- Receive compensation through consultancy arrangements or board fees (where permitted)
Only one MOHRE work permit exists — tied to the primary employer.
Example 2: Employment + Board Position
An Australian finance executive joins a mainland financial institution under a valid work permit.
They also sit on the board of a fintech company in a UAE free zone.
Because board positions are not employment, no second work permit is required. The role is documented through corporate resolutions, not labour contracts.
Example 3: Consultancy License + Sequential Employment
A U.S.-based consultant secures a Golden Visa and sets up a professional consultancy licence.
They:
- Work independently through their licence
- Occasionally accept employment contracts sequentially, not concurrently
Each time they enter employment:
- A work permit is issued
- The previous permit (if any) is cancelled first
All income remains compliant and bank-friendly.
What Still Requires Careful Handling
Holding a Golden Visa does not protect employers from labour penalties. All employment relationships remain subject to UAE Labour Law, and work permits must be issued and managed according to MOHRE regulations:
- Properly applied for
- Linked to the correct legal entity
- Recorded in MOHRE or the relevant free zone system
If employment is discovered without a valid permit:
- Employers face fines and sanctions
- The individual is considered illegally employed, even with a valid visa
Compliance is not optional.
FAQ’s
Can a Golden Visa holder work for two companies at the same time?
No. UAE labour law allows only one active work permit at a time.
Can I switch employers without cancelling my Golden Visa?
Yes. Your residency remains valid, but your work permit must be cancelled and reissued.
Do I need an NOC to change jobs?
No. The Golden Visa removes the NOC requirement.
Does the Golden Visa automatically give work rights?
No. It grants residency only. Work rights come through permits.
Can I work in free zones on a Golden Visa?
Yes — but only with the correct employment documentation issued by the free zone or MOHRE.
What This Means for Professionals and Entrepreneurs
The Golden Visa supports:
- Career mobility
- Consulting and advisory work
- Entrepreneurship
- Sequential employment without residency disruption
It does not support:
- Dual employment
- Parallel salaried roles
- Multiple active work permits
Understanding this distinction is critical.
Final Thoughts
So — can a Golden Visa holder work for multiple companies in the UAE?
No — not at the same time.
Only one active work permit is allowed, regardless of visa type.
The Golden Visa gives you residency freedom.
Labour law governs how you work.
Professionals who structure their roles correctly enjoy exceptional flexibility without legal risk. Those who don’t often discover problems only when banking, audits, or disputes arise.
That’s why many Golden Visa holders choose to validate their employment structure with specialists who deal with these cases daily — including firms like GoldenvisaUAE, which regularly helps professionals align residency, work permits, and compliant career transitions without risking penalties.
Recommended Articles:
Can Golden Visa Holder Live Outside UAE Long Term? The Real Answer (Without the Myths)
Does Rental Income Qualify for Golden Visa UAE? An Expert Guide
Does Golden Visa Give Citizenship in UAE? The Truth Applicants Need to Know
