A PRO — Public Relations Officer — is the person who deals with UAE government departments on a company's behalf. The title is a legacy one; the work is government transaction management across immigration, labour, licensing and notarisation.
Companies either employ a PRO or outsource the function. For businesses under roughly fifty employees, outsourcing is almost always the cheaper and more reliable option.
What a PRO service covers
- Employment visa processing: quota, offer letter, entry permit, status change, medical, Emirates ID, stamping
- Visa renewals, cancellations and sponsorship transfers
- Labour contract submission and MOHRE or free zone portal management
- Establishment card issuance and renewal
- Trade licence renewal, amendments and activity additions
- Ejari registration and tenancy contract handling
- Document attestation, legal translation and notarisation
- Family and dependant visa sponsorship
- Liaison with DET, GDRFA, MOHRE, ICP, free zone authorities and notary public
Who needs a PRO service
- New companies completing their first visa cycle
- SMEs hiring regularly but without HR administration capacity
- Free zone companies managing multiple portals and expiry dates
- Foreign parent companies with no resident administrative staff in the UAE
How PRO services are priced
Two models are common. Per-transaction pricing charges a service fee for each item — a visa, a renewal, an attestation — on top of government fees. Monthly retainers cover a defined bundle of transactions and unlimited liaison, which suits companies with steady hiring.
| Model | Typical fee (excluding government charges) |
|---|---|
| Per employment visa | AED 1,500 – 3,000 |
| Licence renewal handling | AED 1,000 – 2,500 |
| Monthly retainer (small SME) | AED 1,500 – 5,000 |
Outsourcing vs hiring in-house
An in-house PRO costs salary, visa, insurance and a company vehicle — realistically AED 120,000 or more per year — and carries single-point-of-failure risk when they travel or resign.
An outsourced team spreads that across clients, keeps current with frequent portal and rule changes, and holds the typing-centre and authority relationships that make same-day submissions possible.
Compliance calendar a PRO manages
- Trade licence expiry and renewal window
- Establishment card expiry
- Individual visa and Emirates ID expiry dates per employee
- Labour contract renewals and WPS salary compliance
- Ejari renewal aligned to the tenancy period
- UBO register updates after any ownership change
Frequently asked questions
What does PRO stand for?
Public Relations Officer — the role responsible for handling a company's government and immigration transactions in the UAE.
Is a PRO legally required?
No, but the transactions are. Companies must complete visa, labour and licensing processes either through their own staff or an authorised service provider.
How much do PRO services cost in Dubai?
Per-transaction fees commonly run AED 1,000 to AED 3,000 above government charges, and small-business retainers start around AED 1,500 per month.
Can a PRO service handle my licence renewal?
Yes. Renewal, activity amendments, shareholder changes and address updates are core PRO work.
Do free zone companies need PRO support?
Often yes. Each free zone has its own portal, forms and deadlines, and visa processing still runs through federal immigration channels.
How fast can an employment visa be processed?
Around two to three weeks end to end, or roughly one week with express options at each stage where available.
Can you take over from our previous provider?
Yes. We audit current expiry dates, portal access and outstanding transactions, then take over the compliance calendar.
Do you handle document attestation abroad?
Yes, through partner networks for embassy and foreign ministry attestation, plus UAE MOFA attestation and legal translation locally.