A transparent walkthrough of every step your PRO handles — and what can delay it.
Every company in the UAE knows how important the Public Relations Officer (PRO) is — but few fully understand how many moving parts the role involves. From the moment an offer letter is issued to the day a visa is issued, the PRO is managing dozens of steps, submissions, and follow-ups across multiple government platforms.
Behind what looks like a routine onboarding process lies a chain of approvals — and missing even one can stop everything.
Here’s what really happens behind the scenes, and what often slows it down.
Step 1: Offer Letter & Initial Approval
Once an offer letter is signed, the PRO begins by securing MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization) approval. This confirms that the company can hire the employee under the selected job title and quota.
At this stage, the PRO:
- Upload the signed copy of the offer letter to MOHRE’s portal
- Requests initial labor approval before the visa process starts
Common delay: Incomplete or mismatched details (for example, wrong passport number or job title).
Step 2: Entry Permit
After labor approval, the PRO applies for the entry permit, which allows the employee to legally enter the UAE for work if they are currently abroad. This document is issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or ICP, depending on the emirate.
Common delay: Missing passport validity or a previously active visa not yet cancelled.
Step 3: Medical Test & Emirates ID Application
Once in the UAE, the PRO coordinates the employee’s medical fitness test, a required step before visa issuance. Simultaneously, they file the Emirates ID application. Both steps must be completed before final approval.
The PRO ensures:
- Correct medical center selection and appointment booking.
- Submission of fingerprints and biometric data for the Emirates ID.
- Alignment between all documents before final submission.
Common delay: Employees missing their medical appointments or incomplete biometric submissions.
Step 4: Labor Contract Stamping
After the medical results are clear, the PRO handles labor contract stamping with MOHRE — one of the most critical compliance steps. This confirms that the employee’s terms are legally approved and recorded in the system.
Without this step, visa issuance cannot proceed.
Common delay: Errors in salary details, job title, or mismatched signatures between documents.
Step 5: E-residence Issuance
Finally, the PRO submits all documents for residence visa issuance. This officially grants the employee legal residency and work authorisation in the UAE. Once approved, the visa is digitally issued, and the employee can begin work legally.
Common delay: Pending fines, incorrect Emirates ID data, or system backlogs at immigration offices.
Why Delays Happen — and How to Prevent Them
Even with everything done right, some delays are unavoidable due to system updates or ministry verifications. But most can be prevented through:
- Accurate document preparation at the HR level.
- Timely communication between HR, PRO, and the employee.
- Early renewal tracking for expiring IDs or approvals.
In short — the smoother the coordination, the faster the process.
The BVS Global Advantage
At BVS Global, our PRO specialists manage every stage of this process with precision — from offer letter uploads to visa issuance. By tracking each step across MOHRE, ICP, and GDRFA platforms, we ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Our goal is simple: to keep your employee onboarding compliant, predictable, and stress-free.
In the UAE, onboarding does not end when the offer letter is signed — it ends when the visa is issued. Understanding what your PRO handles at every stage helps HR teams anticipate timelines, prevent errors, and maintain compliance across the board.
