The document list is shorter than most people expect. What changes is not the list itself but which parts apply to you, depending on where you are when you apply.
Here is what you need.
What everyone needs
A valid passport. It should have at least six months left before it expires. If yours is close to expiring, renew it before you start — an expiring passport stops the process at the visa stage and wastes weeks.
Passport photographs. Standard white-background photos. Have several.
A medical fitness certificate. This is done here in the UAE as part of the visa process. You do not need to arrange it yourself in advance, and the employer pays for it.
A written contract. Not something you provide, but something you must receive before you sign or travel. Salary, role, employer, in writing.
What changes by situation
If you are already in the UAE and your contract ended: your current visa or residence page, and confirmation your previous employment was properly closed.
If you are working in another country: your current visa or work permit for that country, and your release or final papers from that job.
If you worked in the UAE before and went home: your last UAE visa page, if you still have it. This determines whether the fast route is open to you.
If you are applying from the Philippines for the first time: your government clearance for overseas employment. This is the step that makes your deployment legal and recorded.
For driver positions: a valid UAE driving licence. A licence from your home country does not substitute for it.
Helpful but not required
Certificates or training records. Caregiving, first aid, cooking, childcare — anything you hold is worth sending.
References from previous employers. A short written reference, or a contact number for a former employer who agreed to be contacted, carries real weight with families.
Languages you speak. Not a document, but tell us. English and Arabic both raise what a family will offer.
What to send us to start
You do not need everything ready to send a first message. Start with:
- A photo of your passport
- One personal photo
- A short video introducing yourself — about one minute, in English
The video is optional. It is shown only to families considering you for a position and is never published anywhere. If you would rather not send one, say so and we will proceed without it.
We will tell you what else is needed once we know your situation.
Two things to be careful about
Send photographs of your documents, not the originals. A photo of your passport page is normal at the application stage. Handing over the original document is not, and should not happen before a contract is signed. Your passport stays yours afterwards as well.
Never pay for documents you should not be paying for. The visa, the medical test and the ticket are the employer's costs. If an office asks you to pay for "processing" or "papers", that is a fee dressed up as an expense.
How long it takes once your documents are ready
| Your situation | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Already inside the UAE, contract ended | About 1 day |
| Coming from the Philippines with a valid visa | About 2 days |
| Travelling overseas for the first time | About 2 weeks |
Most delays come from documents, not from us. A passport about to expire or a missing clearance is what turns two days into two weeks.
Not sure what you have?
Send us a photo of your passport and your current visa and we will tell you exactly what is missing for your situation. Applying is free and there is no obligation.
ALQUBTAN Agency — Al Ain and Ajman, United Arab Emirates. Trade licence CN-4012763.