VoxxArrive · Onboarding checklist
Week 1 onboarding checklist for UAE employers
The Week 1 phase of UAE onboarding, task by task. The post-entry government sequence runs here: medical fitness test at an approved centre, ICP Emirates ID biometrics, GDRFA/ICP residence visa application and stamping, MOHRE contract registration, WPS activation, and GPSSA registration for UAE/GCC nationals. Probation objectives and leave entitlements are also set.
Week 1 - what happens
The post-entry government sequence runs here: medical fitness test at an approved centre, ICP Emirates ID biometrics, GDRFA/ICP residence visa application and stamping, MOHRE contract registration, WPS activation, and GPSSA registration for UAE/GCC nationals. Probation objectives and leave entitlements are also set.
Your task slice
12 of the 57 onboarding tasks apply here.
Book and complete medical fitness test at an approved centre (communicable-disease screening)
Medical fitness certificate
Complete ICP Emirates ID biometrics (fingerprints, iris scan, photo)
Emirates ID application receipt
Submit residence visa application to GDRFA/ICP after medical and EID biometrics
Complete residence visa stamping / e-visa linking to the passport
Residence visa
Register the signed employment contract with MOHRE within the statutory deadline
MOHRE-registered labour contract
Activate WPS salary registration with MOHRE and the bank/agent
Confirm health insurance activation is linked to the residency file
Collect the issued Emirates ID card once produced by ICP
Emirates ID card
Enrol employee in role-specific and mandatory compliance training
Agree probation objectives and measurable success criteria with the employee
Probation objectives
Register UAE/GCC national with GPSSA (within one month of joining)
GPSSA registration
Explain leave entitlements (annual, sick, parental) and how to request leave
Sources
- The Official Portal of the UAE Government (u.ae) - Health conditions for UAE residence visa
- Emirates Health Services (EHS/MOHAP) - Examination of Medical Fitness for Residency Visa (service, fees, categories, 24-hour processing)
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) - Standard for Visa Screening Program, Ref. DOH/SD/ADCPH/CD/VS/1.6, v1.6, Sept 2023 (screened diseases by category, outcomes, legal basis Federal Law No. 14/2014 and Cabinet General Secretariat No. 7/2008)
- Fragomen - Navigating the UAE Residence Visa Medical Fitness Test (Part 1)
- ICP - Issuing Residency Permit (official service page: 2-day completion, 60-day rule, AED 50/day overstay, AED 100/500 fees, 6-month passport validity, health insurance)
- u.ae - Emirates ID (official: issued by ICP, biometrics for 15+, validity tied to residence visa, auto-cancellation with visa)
- u.ae - Expatriates' employment in the private sector (official: job offer → MOHRE work permit approval → entry → contract registered within 14 days; Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021)
- UAE Visa Medical Test guide (secondary - diseases screened, DHA/SEHA/EHS by emirate, indicative fees by speed tier)
Frequently asked
How many tasks are in the Week 1 phase?
12 of the 57 UAE onboarding tasks fall in the Week 1 phase, each with a named owner and due point.
What happens during Week 1?
The post-entry government sequence runs here: medical fitness test at an approved centre, ICP Emirates ID biometrics, GDRFA/ICP residence visa application and stamping, MOHRE contract registration, WPS activation, and GPSSA registration for UAE/GCC nationals. Probation objectives and leave entitlements are also set.
Where does this phase sit in the overall journey?
It is phase 3 of five: pre-boarding, Day 1, Week 1, Month 1 and Month 3+. See the full 57-task checklist for the phases either side.