The short answer
A PRO (Public Relations Officer) handles a company's government paperwork in the UAE: visas and Emirates IDs, immigration and labour files, licence renewals and amendments, document attestation and approvals from authorities. Mainland companies need it most, but every company with visas uses it. Small companies don't need a PRO on staff: they use PRO services per task or with a yearly arrangement.
What we handle for you
Visas and IDs
- New residence visas for owners, staff and family
- Status changes inside the UAE
- Renewals and cancellations
- Emirates ID applications and renewals
- Medical tests and biometrics booked
Company files
- Establishment (immigration) card
- Labour file and work permits (mainland)
- Labour contracts
- Trade licence renewals
- Amendments: activities, shareholders, name, manager
Documents and approvals
- Attestation of degrees, marriage and birth certificates, company documents
- Legal translation into Arabic
- Powers of attorney and notarised documents
- Approvals for regulated activities
Which government departments a PRO deals with
| Department | What for |
|---|---|
| Immigration (GDRFA Dubai / ICP) | Entry permits, residence visas, status changes, visa renewals and cancellations, establishment card |
| Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation | Labour file, work permits, labour contracts and Emiratisation rules for mainland companies |
| Emirates ID | Biometrics, Emirates ID issue and renewal |
| Department of Economy and Tourism | Mainland trade licence renewal and amendments, trade name changes |
| Free Zone authorities | Licence renewal, amendments, establishment card and visas for Free Zone companies |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Attestation of foreign documents |
| Courts and notaries | Powers of attorney, notarised documents, legal translations |
| Other authorities | Approvals for regulated activities, such as food, health, education or transport |
Most of these services are online today, but each portal has its own account, its own document format and its own reasons to reject an application. That is where the time goes.
PRO services for Free Zone and mainland companies
| Free Zone company | Mainland company | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence renewal | With the Free Zone | With the Department of Economy and Tourism, plus the Ejari lease |
| Visas | Through the Free Zone and immigration | Through immigration, with a labour file and work permits |
| Labour file | Usually handled by the Free Zone | Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation |
| Salaries | Free Zone rules | Through WPS: see payroll |
| How much PRO work | Mainly visas, renewals and amendments | Ongoing, every time staff join or leave |
Common PRO tasks and what they need
| Task | What you usually provide | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| New residence visa | Passport, photo, and for staff the signed offer or contract | About 2–3 weeks to Emirates ID |
| Visa renewal | Passport, current visa, medical test where required | About 1–2 weeks |
| Visa cancellation | Passport, visa, and for staff the final settlement | A few days |
| Licence renewal | Valid lease (mainland), any renewed approvals, financial statements where the authority asks | Days, if renewed on time |
| Licence amendment | Board or shareholder resolution, new partner's documents | Days to a few weeks |
| Document attestation | Original documents | Weeks when done from abroad |
Timings depend on the authority and on complete documents. We confirm them before we start.
Hiring your first employee: the PRO steps
- Check your visa allocation. Your licence or office must allow another visa.
- Offer letter and contract in the format the authority requires.
- Work permit (mainland) or Free Zone employment approval.
- Entry permit or status change for the employee.
- Medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID.
- Residence visa issued and, on the mainland, the labour contract registered.
- Payroll set up: salaries through WPS on the mainland. See payroll and WPS.
When the employee leaves, the same chain runs in reverse: final settlement, cancellation of the visa and work permit. Leaving them open can lead to fines.
Your renewal calendar
Most fines come from a date nobody was watching. These are the ones we track for you:
- Trade licence: every year.
- Establishment card: usually every year.
- Office lease (Ejari): every year, before the licence renewal on the mainland.
- Residence visas: usually every 2 years.
- Emirates IDs: with each visa.
- Passports: keep at least 6 months' validity before any visa step.
The same calendar holds your VAT and corporate tax dates if we keep your accounts.
Document attestation, step by step
Documents from abroad, such as degrees, marriage and birth certificates or company papers, usually need this chain before UAE authorities accept them:
- In the issuing country: notarisation and attestation by the competent authority (in some countries, an apostille).
- UAE embassy in that country.
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Legal translation into Arabic, where the authority asks for it.
Start early: attestation from abroad is the step that most often adds weeks. We tell you exactly which documents need it for your visa, golden visa or company application.
Why use a PRO service
- Time: no queues, no learning each portal, no repeated visits for one missing document.
- Fewer rejections: applications prepared the way each department expects.
- No missed dates: renewals done before they become fines.
- One contact for visas, licence, accounting and tax, instead of five.
How we work
- Tell us the task on WhatsApp or a free call.
- We list the documents and the timeline before we start.
- We prepare and submit, and book any medical test or biometrics.
- We update you at every step and deliver the result: visa, Emirates ID, renewed licence or attested document.
Per task, or with a yearly arrangement that covers your renewals. Setting up a company? PRO work for your setup is part of our business setup packages.