A UAE work permit is a MOHRE-issued document required for anyone to legally work in the UAE — it’s illegal to work without one, and only someone with a valid permit can file a labour complaint if something goes wrong with their employer.
MOHRE currently issues 13 types, and your employer applies for the one that matches your situation.
Types of UAE Work Permits
Per MOHRE‘s current list (via the official UAE Government portal), there are 13 work permit types:
| Permit Type | Details | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Recruit a Worker from Outside the UAE | For hiring someone currently outside the country | 2 years |
| Transfer | For a non-UAE worker moving from one employer to another | 2 years |
| Resident on Family Sponsorship | For hiring a resident already in the UAE under family sponsorship | 2 years |
| Temporary | Assigns a worker already in the UAE to a different company for a limited task, then returns them | Limited period |
| Mission | Brings in a worker from outside the UAE for a specific, time-bound project | Project-length |
| Part-Time | For fewer hours/days than full-time; a worker can hold more than one with Ministry approval | 2 years |
| Juvenile | For hiring 15–18 year-olds under specific safeguards | 1 year |
| Student Training & Employment | For a 15-year-old student already in the UAE | 3 months |
| UAE/GCC National | For employing a UAE or GCC national | 2 years |
| Golden Visa Holder | For employing someone who holds a Golden Residency Visa | 2 years |
| National Trainee | To train a UAE citizen per their academic qualifications | 12 months, renewable |
| Freelance | For self-employed individuals (including self-sponsored foreign nationals) with no employer or active contract | Per service/task |
| Private Teacher | For qualified professionals offering private lessons — free of charge | 2 years |
Talk to your employer about which type fits your situation — they submit the application on your behalf.
Documents Required
- Recent passport-size photo (white background)
- Passport copy (valid at least 6 months)
- Formal employment form, signed by you and your employer
- Academic qualification document
- Professional license (for regulated professions like doctors and nurses)
Nationals of Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran must also provide a clear copy of both sides of their national ID card.
Submitting incorrect or incomplete documents can result in your permit being denied.
UAE Work Permit Fees
Work permit issuance and renewal fees range from AED 250 to AED 3,450, per MOHRE’s official fee framework (Cabinet Resolution No. 37 of 2022). The exact amount your employer pays depends on the company’s classification:
- Category A — fully compliant with UAE labour law, the Wages Protection System, and MOHRE directives. Lower fees.
- Category B — mid-tier compliance.
- Category C — a history of violations or non-compliance. Highest fees.
Since the exact fee-by-category breakdown is published by MOHRE as a detailed schedule rather than a simple flat table, confirm your specific figure with your employer or on MOHRE’s resolutions page rather than relying on a generic number — it genuinely varies by category. In most cases, the employer covers this cost, though it can be deducted from an employee’s initial salary.
New in 2026: The Work Bundle
MOHRE’s Work Bundle initiative, part of the UAE’s Zero Bureaucracy Programme, consolidates work permit issuance, renewal, and cancellation — plus residency visas, medical exams, and Emirates ID fingerprinting — into one platform. It’s cut the process from 15 steps (16 documents) to 5 steps (5 documents), reduced required in-person visits from 7 to 2, and brought processing time down from 30 working days to 5.
FAQs
Who can work in the UAE?
Anyone holding a valid residency visa and a work permit issued through their employer.
What do company classifications mean?
MOHRE classifies companies as A, B, or C based on their compliance record with labour law, the Wages Protection System, and workers’ rights protections. Better compliance means lower work permit fees.
How long does a work permit take to process?
Around a week if your documents are correct and complete — faster under the new Work Bundle for eligible applications.
How do I cancel my work permit?
Your employer submits a formal cancellation request with the required documentation, settles any outstanding fines for late issuance or non-renewal, and confirms you’ve received all your due entitlements before the cancellation is processed.
Working in the UAE without a valid permit is illegal, and the application is filed (and usually paid for) by your employer. Check your documents carefully before you start — accuracy here avoids delays and legal complications later.
