Labour Card (MOHRE) in United Arab Emirates
Work permits run through MOHRE for mainland jobs and through the free zone authority for everything else - the costs depend on your employer's category.
Last verified: 2026-06
Overview
The work permit (commonly called the labour card) authorises an expatriate to work for a specific UAE employer. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) issues mainland labour cards. Free zone employees get their work permits from their zone (DMCC, JAFZA, ADGM, DIFC, etc.) and don't appear on MOHRE.
Fees vary by the employer's category (A, B, or C) - category A companies (strong Emiratisation, low complaint rate) pay the lowest fees; category C the highest. The labour card itself is now a digital record; physical cards were phased out.
Documents required
- Passport with at least 6 months validity
- Educational certificates (attested for skilled roles)
- Recent passport photo
- Signed offer letter / contract
- Medical fitness certificate
- Emirates ID (for renewals)
Eligibility
- Aged 18-65 (special approval for 65+)
- Employer has valid trade licence and MOHRE establishment file
- Quota slot available for your nationality and role
- No active labour ban
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit (Category A, skilled) | 250 AED | 2-year validity; Confirm current amount on MOHRE. |
| Work permit (Category B) | 500 AED | 2-year validity. |
| Work permit (Category C) | 5,000 AED | 2-year validity; reflects compliance status of employer. |
| Unskilled labour work permit | 300 AED | Plus a bank guarantee paid by employer (~AED 3,000 per worker). |
| Work permit renewal | Same as issuance AED | Plus AED 250 if late. |
Step by step
- 1
Job offer and signed contract
Employer uploads the offer letter to MOHRE; employee signs digitally via UAE PASS.
1-2 days · online
- 2
Quota and work permit approval
Employer applies for quota approval (if needed) and submits the work permit application on MOHRE.
3-5 working days · online
- 3
Entry permit
Approved work permit triggers the entry permit through ICP/GDRFA. Employee enters the UAE on this permit.
2-5 working days · online
- 4
Medical, Emirates ID, and residence visa
Standard inside-country flow: medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics, residence visa issuance.
1-2 weeks · either
- 5
Labour contract registration
Employer registers the final MOHRE labour contract with the employee's signature. Permit is now linked to the residence visa.
Same day · online
Processing time: 2-4 weeks total from offer to active labour card.
Where to do it online
- MOHRE
Work permit issuance, renewal, transfer, cancellation, and complaints
- ICP
Linked entry permit and residence visa for federal-issued cases
- GDRFA Dubai
Linked entry permit and residence visa for Dubai-issued cases
Tasheel centres are MOHRE's official application channels - most employers use a PRO who routes through Tasheel. Service fees typically AED 150-300 per application on top of MOHRE fees.
Renewal
Work permits are typically issued for 2 years and renewed with the residence visa. Renewal must be completed within 60 days of expiry to avoid the late fee.
Fines & penalties
- Late renewal: AED 250 fine for the company
- Working for a different employer than your permit shows: AED 50,000 fine for the employer and a possible 1-year ban for the worker
- Absconding report: blocks all UAE visa applications for at least 1 year
Common pitfalls
- Joining a category-C employer with high fees that get deducted from your package
- Free zone vs mainland confusion - your visa channel must match the licence
- Educational attestation - skipped attestation blocks skilled-category permits
- Quitting before the contract clause window - possible labour ban for unlimited-contract style early exits
FAQs
2-4 weeks from signed offer to active labour card. The quota and entry permit steps take most of the time; the medical and Emirates ID are usually the same week.
It's the MOHRE-issued work permit linking you to a specific employer. Since 2023 it's a digital record - there's no plastic card any more. You can pull it from the MOHRE app whenever needed.
Employer classifications based on Emiratisation, cultural diversity, and compliance. Category A pays the lowest work permit fees (~AED 250), C the highest (~AED 5,000). The category affects what your employer is charged - and indirectly what they offer.
No. Free zone work permits are issued by the zone (DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC, ADGM, etc.) and don't appear on MOHRE. The residence visa, however, is still federal.
Yes. Since 2022, transfers no longer need the original employer's NOC if you've completed the probation. The new employer files a new work permit and MOHRE links the records.
Skip the hassle
A vetted typing centre can handle the paperwork end-to-end.
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