Key takeaways
- What is MOHRE? It is the UAE’s federal labour ministry. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE, often written MoHRE) regulates private-sector employment on the mainland and runs the country’s Emiratisation policy. If a question is about your job rather than your residence, it is almost always MOHRE’s.
- MOHRE full form: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Until February 2016 it was the Ministry of Labour, which is why “labour card”, “labour office” and “MOL” are still in everyday use.
- Its legal base is Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (the Labour Law, in force since 2 February 2022) and its Executive Regulation, Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, amended in 2023 and 2024. MOHRE decides labour claims up to AED 50,000 itself; the limitation period is now two years from the end of employment.
- MOHRE does not cover everyone. Free zone staff get their permits from the free zone authority; DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws; government employees are outside the Labour Law. Domestic workers are regulated by MOHRE, but under a separate law.
- Every mainland company is placed in category 1, 2 or 3 under Cabinet Resolution No. 18 of 2022. A two-year work permit costs up to AED 250 in category 1, AED 1,200 in category 2 and AED 3,450 in category 3, so compliance has a price tag.
- MOHRE services run through set channels: the website and the MOHRE UAE app, business service centres (still called Tasheel), Tawjeeh centres for guidance, Twa-fouq centres for labour disputes, the call centre on 600590000 and the labour claims line 80084.
- MOHRE is not immigration. Your residence visa sits with GDRFA (Dubai) or ICP (other emirates), and your Emirates ID is always ICP’s. One mainland job needs all of them, in order.
- MIRDXB PRO handles MOHRE services for you through Tasheel: company labour files, quotas, work permits, contracts, cancellations and complaints. Government fees at cost; our fee in writing before we start.
What is MOHRE? MOHRE is the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the UAE federal ministry that regulates employment in the private sector and drives the employment of UAE nationals in private companies. It registers the companies that employ people, issues work permits, approves employment contracts, runs the Wage Protection System, settles labour disputes, inspects workplaces and labour accommodation, regulates domestic workers and sets Emiratisation targets. It does not issue residence visas or Emirates IDs; those belong to GDRFA in Dubai and to ICP federally.
That is the short answer. This guide is the long one. It is written for two readers: the employee who keeps hearing “check it on MOHRE” and wants to know what that means, and the business owner who needs to understand MOHRE UAE, the ministry that decides whether the company can hire next month. It covers:
- the MOHRE full form, where the name came from, and a dated history of how the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation got its current powers;
- the laws it administers, and exactly who it covers and who it does not;
- a map of MOHRE services by category, each with a short summary and a link to our detailed guide;
- every channel for reaching MOHRE UAE, how to check a permit, a contract or a complaint, and what the published fees are;
- company categories, MOHRE vs GDRFA and ICP, recent changes, cases and FAQs.
Every figure was checked on 23 September 2026 against MOHRE, the UAE government portal (u.ae), the UAE legislation portal and, where the official page was not reachable, reputable news reports that are named as such.
What is MOHRE: the answer at a glance
| Question | Short answer | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| MOHRE full form | Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation | MOHRE UAE; u.ae |
| Former name | Ministry of Labour, renamed in the federal government restructuring announced on 8 February 2016 | Emirates 24|7 report of the announcement |
| Type of body | Federal ministry, one of the UAE Cabinet’s ministries | UAE Cabinet |
| Main law | Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations, in force 2 February 2022 | UAE legislation portal |
| Who it covers | Private-sector employers and workers on the mainland; domestic workers under their own law | Decree-Law 33/2021, Art. 3; u.ae |
| Who it does not | Government employees, armed forces, police and security; DIFC and ADGM staff; free zone permits issued by the zone | Decree-Law 33/2021, Art. 3; free zone rules |
| Company categories | Three: category 1, 2 and 3; permit fees up to AED 250, AED 1,200 or AED 3,450 over two years | MOHRE announcement, 1 June 2022 |
| Labour claims | MOHRE decides claims up to AED 50,000; larger claims go to court; two-year limitation | Decree-Law 33/2021, Art. 54 as amended in 2024 |
| Main numbers | 600590000 (call centre and WhatsApp); 80084 (labour claims and advisory) | MOHRE UAE; MOHRE on X |
| Residence visa and Emirates ID | Not MOHRE. GDRFA (Dubai files), ICP (other emirates and every Emirates ID) | GDRFA and ICP |

MOHRE full form, and the names you will still hear
The MOHRE full form is Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The ministry writes its own abbreviation both as MOHRE and as MoHRE; they are the same body. In Arabic it is Wizarat Al Mawarid Al Bashariya wal Tawteen, and “Tawteen” (localisation) is the word behind “Emiratisation”.
The two halves of the name describe its two jobs:
- Human Resources: regulating the working relationship between private-sector employers and their workers, from the first work permit to the last day of service.
- Emiratisation: increasing the number of UAE nationals working in private companies, through targets, incentives and the federal Nafis programme.
You will also see older names on documents, company files and websites, and all of them point to the same ministry:
| Name you see | What it means today |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Labour, MOL, “labour office” | The ministry’s name before February 2016 |
| “Labour card” | The old physical card; today the MOHRE work permit, held digitally. See our MOHRE labour card guide |
| “Company labour card”, “labour file” | The company’s establishment registration with MOHRE |
| Tasheel | The original brand of MOHRE-approved service centres, still used by many business service centres and by the employer portal, Tasheel Web |
| MoHRE, MOHRE UAE | The ministry’s own spellings; the smart app is published as MOHRE UAE |
A short history: from Ministry of Labour to MOHRE UAE
MOHRE’s current shape is the result of a series of decisions over the last decade. Knowing the order explains why so much advice online is out of date: a page written in 2019 describes a different legal world from the one that applies in 2026.
| Date | What changed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 to 2022 | Federal Law No. 8 of 1980 governed private-sector employment, including unlimited contracts and reduced gratuity on resignation | Replaced by Decree-Law 33/2021 |
| 8 February 2016 | Ministry of Labour renamed the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation; the national employment authority Tanmia attached to it | Emirates 24|7, reporting the UAE Prime Minister’s announcement |
| December 2016 to 2017 | Recruitment and employment of domestic workers moved from the Ministry of Interior to MOHRE, Dubai first, then the rest of the country in 2017 | Gulf News, 17 December 2016 |
| 12 September 2021 | Nafis federal programme launched to support Emiratis in private-sector jobs | u.ae, Projects of the 50 |
| 2 February 2022 | Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 in force: fixed-term contracts, new work models, new end-of-service rules | UAE legislation portal |
| 1 June 2022 | New three-category classification of private companies in force (Cabinet Resolution No. 18 of 2022) | MOHRE announcement |
| 2022 | Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 on domestic workers; licensed recruitment agencies allowed again alongside Tadbeer centres | u.ae; Gulf News and Khaleej Times, March 2022 |
| 1 January 2024 | Decree-Law No. 20 of 2023 gives MOHRE power to decide labour claims up to AED 50,000 | Labour Law as amended |
| March 2024 | Cabinet approves a new structure for MOHRE and a coordinating council for the labour market; the Work Bundle launched in Dubai | Gulf News, 18 March 2024; Digital Dubai, 11 March 2024 |
| July to August 2024 | Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024 rewrites Article 54: two-year limitation, challenges to MOHRE decisions at the Court of First Instance | Labour Law as amended |
| 1 January 2026 | Minimum wage of AED 6,000 a month for Emiratis in the private sector | MOHRE news, 31 December 2025 |
| 1 June 2026 | Ministerial Resolution No. 340 of 2026 on the Wage Protection System replaces Resolution No. 598 of 2022 (as reported) | MOHRE news, 4 June 2026; law firm and press reports |
The 2016 renaming was more than a new sign on the door: it tied the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation to workforce development and Emiratisation, and by the end of that year all sectors of employment, domestic work included, sat with one ministry.
The legal basis of MOHRE UAE: the laws it administers
MOHRE does not make up its rules as it goes. It applies federal law and issues ministerial resolutions under it. Knowing the instruments by name lets you check any claim at the source, and spot advice that relies on a repealed text.
| Instrument | What it governs | Status in September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (the Labour Law) | Private-sector employment: contracts, wages, hours, leave, end of service, disputes | In force since 2 February 2022; amended by Decree-Law No. 20 of 2023 and Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024 |
| Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 | Executive Regulation of the Labour Law: work models, permits, procedures | In force |
| Cabinet Resolution No. 18 of 2022 | Classification of private establishments into three categories | In force since 1 June 2022 |
| Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020 | MOHRE service fees and administrative fines | In force, with a 2022 amendment |
| Ministerial Resolution No. 47 of 2022 | Labour disputes and complaints: filing, temporary permits, absence reports | In force |
| Ministerial Resolution No. 44 of 2022 | Occupational health and safety and labour accommodation, including the midday break | In force |
| Ministerial Resolution No. 318 of 2022 | Bank guarantees and the workers’ protection insurance, up to AED 20,000 | In force |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2022 | Unemployment insurance (ILOE) | In force since 1 January 2023 |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 | Domestic workers | In force; u.ae cites the amending Decree-Law No. 21 of 2023 |
| Cabinet Resolution No. 96 of 2023 | Voluntary alternative end-of-service savings scheme | In force |
| Cabinet Resolution No. 95 of 2022 | Violations and penalties related to Nafis and Emiratisation | In force |
| Ministerial Resolution No. 340 of 2026 | Wage Protection System | Reported in force from 1 June 2026, replacing No. 598 of 2022; full text not yet published where we could read it |
What is MOHRE for? The two halves of its mandate
Read together, these instruments give MOHRE UAE two connected jobs.
Regulating the employment relationship. Nobody may lawfully work on the mainland without a MOHRE work permit, and no employer may engage anyone without one. MOHRE approves the contract, sees the salary through the Wage Protection System, sets the working-time rules, settles disputes and inspects compliance. When the relationship ends, MOHRE cancels the permit and, if needed, decides who owes what.
Emiratisation. MOHRE sets and enforces targets for employing UAE nationals in private companies, works with the Nafis programme, verifies that Emirati hires are genuine, and charges a financial contribution where targets are missed. Emiratisation performance also feeds the company’s classification, which in turn sets the price of every work permit it issues.
The two halves meet in the establishment file. A company that pays late, hires Emiratis on paper only or houses workers badly does not just risk a fine; it can be moved to category 3 and have its permit services suspended. That is the lever that makes MOHRE’s rules bite.
What is MOHRE’s reach? Who it covers, and who it does not
This is the question to settle first, because a great deal of advice that circulates is right for one group and wrong for another. Article 3 of the Labour Law applies it to establishments, employers and workers in the private sector, and names three groups it does not cover: employees of federal and local government, members of the armed forces, police and security, and domestic workers (who have their own law).
| Who you are | Does MOHRE handle your employment? | Where to go instead |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland private-sector employee (company licensed by an emirate’s economic department) | Yes, the core group: permit, contract, WPS, complaints | n/a |
| Free zone employee (Jafza, DMCC, DAFZA, Dubai South and others) | Usually no for day-to-day matters: the free zone issues the permit and holds the employment file. The federal Labour Law still applies in most zones | The free zone authority first |
| DIFC or ADGM employee | No. Separate employment laws and courts | DIFC Courts; ADGM Employment Affairs Office and ADGM Courts |
| Federal or local government employee | No. Excluded by Article 3 | The government HR rules that apply to your employer |
| Armed forces, police and security | No. Excluded by Article 3 | Their own regulations |
| Domestic worker (housemaid, nanny, driver, cook and similar) | Yes, but under a different law: Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 | MOHRE services for domestic workers, Tadbeer centres and licensed agencies |
| UAE national in a private company | Yes, plus Emiratisation rules and a UAE national work permit | Pension registration is with the pension authority, not MOHRE |
The practical test: who issued your work permit?
If your permit and contract were issued through MOHRE, MOHRE is your authority. If they came from a free zone portal, the free zone is. A MOHRE contract check will not find a free zone contract, and a MOHRE complaint filed by a free zone employee goes nowhere useful. Our guide to free zone vs mainland sets out what follows from that choice.
Domestic workers: regulated by MOHRE, under their own law
Domestic workers are the group most often placed in the wrong box. They are outside the private-sector Labour Law, so private-sector answers on hours, leave or gratuity do not transfer to them. But MOHRE UAE is still their authority. It has handled their recruitment and employment since the transfer from the Ministry of Interior that began in 2017, it licenses the recruitment agencies and service centres that serve them, and it runs a separate complaint service for them. The u.ae portal says there are 19 occupations within the domestic worker scope.
Since 2022 licensed private recruitment agencies operate again alongside the Tadbeer centres (Gulf News, March 2022). For sponsoring help at home, our maid and domestic worker visa service is the practical route.
A free zone employee with an unpaid salary files a MOHRE complaint, waits, and hears nothing useful, because MOHRE does not hold the file. Start with the free zone’s own labour desk. The complaint procedure, including DIFC and ADGM, is in our guide on how to file a MOHRE complaint.
MOHRE services: how MIRDXB PRO helps
Most people do not need to learn how MOHRE is organised. They need one thing done, or a company file kept in order month after month. That is the work we do every day.
MIRDXB PRO is a PRO and visa services firm based in Al Barsha 1, Dubai. We handle MOHRE services through Tasheel and the MOHRE systems, and the immigration steps that follow through Amer (GDRFA) or ICP, so one office carries a file from the labour side to the residence side.
What we do
- Company labour file opening for new mainland companies, including the MOHRE establishment registration and signatory set-up. See our labour file opening service.
- Quota approval so the company can apply for work permits. See company quota approval in Dubai.
- Work permits of every type, new and renewal, including transfers and part-time permits. See our MOHRE work permit service.
- Employment contracts: preparing, submitting and amending the MOHRE contract. See labour contract services.
- Cancellations of work permits and contracts, in the right order with the residence cancellation. See visa cancellation in Dubai.
- Labour complaints: preparing the claim, the evidence and the figures, and following it through settlement or referral. See labour dispute support.
- WPS set-up and compliance checks for employers. See WPS registration and compliance.
- The whole cycle for companies, labour and immigration together, under our corporate PRO services. For single transactions, see our Tasheel services in Dubai.
How it works
- WhatsApp us first on +971 56 897 4054 with a line on what you need, and the company licence number or your work permit or Emirates ID details if you have them.
- We check the file before anything is paid. Is it a MOHRE file or a free zone one? What category is the company in? Is the quota available, the licence valid, the signatory current? Is there a WPS or Emiratisation block?
- We confirm the route and the cost in writing, with government fees shown separately from our fee.
- We submit and track through Tasheel and the MOHRE systems, and answer any request for documents or signatures.
- We send you the result (approved permit, contract, cancellation or complaint reference) and tell you the next step, usually the immigration side at GDRFA or ICP.
What it costs
Government fees are passed on at cost, exactly as they appear on the Tasheel or MOHRE receipt. The published MOHRE figures are in the fees section further down; the one that moves most is the work permit fee, which depends on your company’s category. Our own service fee depends on the transaction and the state of the file, and we quote it in writing before we start. Our general approach to pricing is on our fees page.
Why residents and companies use us
- We publish our sources. Every figure in our guides links to the authority that set it, and where we rely on a receipt or a news report we say so.
- We cover both sides. MOHRE for the job, GDRFA and ICP for the residence, so a company or a family deals with one office.
- We tell you when you do not need us. Many MOHRE services have no fee on the website and app. If yours is one you can do yourself, we will say so.
- We can act while you are abroad under a power of attorney, for cancellations, company files and complaints.
- You can visit us. Our office is in Al Barsha 1, Dubai, open by appointment; whatsApp us any time, 24 hours; office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 18:00 (Dubai time).
The map of MOHRE services, category by category
The MOHRE services directory is long: our labour card guide counted 75 services in it. It answers the practical version of the question what is MOHRE: what can it do for you? For almost everyone, the services fall into eight areas. This section gives each one a short summary and points to the guide or service page that covers it in full, so you can go straight to what you need.
| Service area | What sits inside it | Who uses it | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | Labour file, establishment registration, signatories, quota, classification | Company owners and PROs | Labour file opening; quota |
| Work permits | 13 permit types, issue, renewal, amendment, cancellation | Employers, jobseekers, dependants who want to work | Work permit types |
| Contracts | Job offer, MOHRE contract, amendments, work models | Every mainland worker and employer | Contract types |
| Wages and WPS | Wage Protection System, salary complaints, deductions | Employers; workers paid late | WPS; salary not paid |
| Disputes and complaints | Labour complaints, amicable settlement, MOHRE decisions, court referral | Workers and employers in dispute | MOHRE complaint |
| Domestic workers | Recruitment, permits, contracts and complaints for household staff | Families sponsoring help at home | Maid visa service |
| Emiratisation | Targets, Nafis, UAE national permits, contributions, verification | Companies with 20 or more staff; UAE nationals | Emiratisation rules |
| Inspection and protection | Inspections, safety, accommodation, midday break, work injuries, bans, insurance | Employers; workers who need protection | Labour ban; ILOE |
1. MOHRE services for establishments: the company file
Before a mainland company can employ anyone, it needs an establishment file with MOHRE UAE. The file carries the licence details, the authorised signatory, the company’s category and its quota, meaning the number of work permits it may hold. Employers work on it through Tasheel Web, MOHRE’s online portal for establishments, or through a business service centre.
Three separate things can stop a company hiring, and they are fixed in three different places:
- No quota available: a MOHRE matter. See company visa quota in Dubai and our quota approval service.
- A licence problem: a licensing matter with the economic department. MOHRE needs a valid licence before it issues permits. See how to renew a trade licence in Dubai.
- An expired immigration establishment card: a GDRFA or ICP matter, not MOHRE’s. See the establishment card explained.
Working out which of the three applies before doing anything is the difference between a two-day fix and a two-month one. A further trap: if the MOHRE signatory and the immigration signatory are different people after a staff change, transactions fail on one side and the error message will not say why.
2. MOHRE services for work permits
Nobody may work on the mainland without a MOHRE work permit, and no employer may engage anyone without one. The u.ae portal lists 13 types: recruitment from outside the UAE, transfer between establishments, residents on family sponsorship, temporary work, one-mission work, part-time work, juveniles aged 15 to 18, student training and employment, UAE and GCC nationals, Golden visa holders, national trainees, freelance work, and private teachers.
The cost of issuing or renewing a permit depends on the company’s category, not on the worker. u.ae puts the range at AED 250 to AED 3,450, and employment of UAE and GCC nationals is fee-exempt. u.ae also lists when MOHRE may refuse or cancel permits: incorrect documents, a fictitious establishment or one not carrying on its licensed activity, or failure to comply with the Wage Protection System. Separately, companies are denied new permits for four kinds of violation: breaches of Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020, inadequate labour accommodation under Ministerial Resolution No. 44 of 2022, human trafficking allegations, and misuse of access to MOHRE systems.
Each type, its conditions and its fee are in our guide to work permit types in the UAE. The permit itself, and how to view or download it, is in our MOHRE labour card guide. If you want it done for you, our MOHRE work permit service handles it.
3. MOHRE services for employment contracts
Every mainland employment contract is approved through MOHRE, and the approved contract is the one that counts. Where an internal company contract says something different, usually on basic salary or notice, the MOHRE contract is the document an inspector or a labour decision will look at.
Since February 2022 contracts are fixed-term; the old unlimited contract was abolished and existing ones had to be converted. The Law also recognises several work models, including full-time, part-time, temporary and flexible work. Probation cannot exceed six months. Notice periods, leave and the other terms each have their own rules.
The detail is split across focused guides: UAE employment contract types, the probation period, the notice period and annual leave. Our labour contract service prepares and submits the contract for you.
4. MOHRE services for wages and the WPS
The Wage Protection System (WPS) is MOHRE’s electronic salary system, run with the Central Bank of the UAE. Mainland employers pay wages through approved banks, exchange houses and financial institutions, and MOHRE sees whether every worker was paid, how much and when. For workers, it creates an independent record of what was paid, which is often the strongest evidence in a salary dispute.
Since 1 June 2026 the WPS rules are set by Ministerial Resolution No. 340 of 2026, which replaced Resolution No. 598 of 2022. As reported by MOHRE and in law firm briefings: wages are due on the first day of the following month; an establishment is compliant if it transfers at least 85% of total wages due on time; and measures escalate from day 2 (notices), day 5 (new work permits suspended), day 11 (fines and category 3 for repeat violations), day 16 (automatic labour disputes where 25 or more workers are affected) and day 21 (attachment, travel bans and referral to prosecution in the most serious cases).
The employer’s side is in our guide to the Wage Protection System (WPS UAE); the employee’s options are in salary not paid in the UAE: what to do. We do not repeat them here.
5. MOHRE services at the end of employment
When a job ends, MOHRE’s rules decide what is owed and how the permit is closed. The Labour Law requires wages and entitlements to be paid within 14 days of the contract ending (Article 53). Gratuity is based on basic wage: 21 days for each of the first five years and 30 days for each year after, for workers with at least one year of service. Resigning no longer reduces it; that rule went with the 1980 law. Companies may instead join the voluntary savings scheme under Cabinet Resolution No. 96 of 2023.
The permit is cancelled on MOHRE first, then the residence at GDRFA or ICP. The MOHRE step asks for the employee’s signature agreeing to the cancellation and acknowledging receipt of dues, which is why it matters what you sign.
Full detail: end of service gratuity in the UAE (and the gratuity calculator), how to cancel an employment visa in the UAE, and, where the employer has disappeared, visa cancellation without sponsor.
6. MOHRE services for disputes and complaints
MOHRE UAE is where private-sector labour disputes start. Either side can file, and MOHRE’s complaint service card lists no fee. The ministry first tries an amicable settlement. If that fails, one number decides the next step: claims of up to AED 50,000 are decided by MOHRE itself, with a decision that can be challenged at the Court of First Instance within 15 working days; larger claims are referred to the labour court. Worker claims up to AED 100,000 carry no court fees (Article 55). The limitation period is two years from the end of employment, after the 2024 amendment.
While a case is running, a worker can usually get a temporary work permit to work elsewhere, unless an absence report has been filed (Ministerial Resolution No. 47 of 2022, Article 3(d)). The step-by-step is in our guide on how to file a MOHRE complaint, and our labour dispute service prepares and follows the case.
7. MOHRE services for domestic workers
MOHRE runs a parallel set of services for household staff: recruitment through Tadbeer centres and licensed agencies, permits and contracts, and a separate “Register a Labour Complaint (Domestic Workers)” service. The rules on hours, leave and dues come from Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, not the private-sector Labour Law; for example, that law requires dues to be paid within 10 days of the contract ending (Article 19). For sponsoring help at home, see our maid and domestic worker visa service.
8. Emiratisation and Nafis
The second half of the name Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. According to MOHRE’s Emiratisation guidance, companies with 50 or more employees must increase Emirati employment in skilled roles by 2% a year, and companies with 20 to 49 employees in specified sectors must employ at least one UAE national and keep those already employed. MOHRE confirmed 30 June 2026 as the first-half deadline for 2026, with financial contributions applied from 1 July 2026 to companies that missed it.
Nafis is the federal programme behind the targets. u.ae says it was launched on 12 September 2021 with AED 24 billion to support the employment of Emiratis in the private sector, and has been extended to 2040. Since 1 January 2026 the minimum wage for an Emirati in the private sector is AED 6,000 a month (MOHRE, 31 December 2025). Targets, contributions and the calendar are in our Emiratisation rules guide.
Other MOHRE services: inspection, safety, bans, insurance and equivalency
Several MOHRE services do not fit one box but matter to almost everyone:
- Inspection. Inspectors check permits, wages, safety, accommodation and whether the job done matches the one on the permit. MOHRE UAE increasingly finds breaches from its own data: Gulf News reported in December 2025 that MOHRE had found around 1,300 establishments with registered workers but no genuine activity in the first half of 2025, with fines of over AED 34 million.
- Safety and accommodation. Under Ministerial Resolution No. 44 of 2022, establishments with 50 or more workers must house workers earning less than AED 1,500 a month, with at least three square metres per worker (u.ae). Work in direct sun is banned from 12:30 to 15:00 between 15 June and 15 September.
- Work injuries. Employers must report a work injury or occupational disease to MOHRE within 48 hours and pay treatment in full; death compensation is 24 months’ basic wage within AED 18,000 to AED 200,000 (u.ae, Cabinet Resolution No. 33 of 2022).
- Labour bans. MOHRE can ban the issue of a new work permit for one year in defined cases. See the UAE labour ban explained. Immigration and travel bans are different; see types of ban in the UAE.
- Insurance. Unemployment insurance (ILOE) is compulsory for most private-sector workers: see ILOE insurance and the ILOE claim process. The workers’ protection insurance under Ministerial Resolution No. 318 of 2022 covers entitlements up to AED 20,000 on a MOHRE decision or court ruling.
- Qualification equivalency. MOHRE issues the equivalency certificate used to classify skill levels; see the MOHRE equivalency certificate.
MOHRE UAE establishment classification: categories 1, 2 and 3
Every mainland private company registered with MOHRE is placed in one of three categories. The system came into force on 1 June 2022 under Cabinet Resolution No. 18 of 2022. MOHRE’s announcement uses “first”, “second” and “third” category, the Tasheel fee breakdowns show “Category 1, 2, 3”, and the u.ae work permit page describes the same tiers as A, B and C. They are one system with three labels.
The category is not a badge. It sets what the company pays for every work permit it issues or renews, and it is the main compliance incentive of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
| Category | Who is in it (MOHRE’s description) | Work permit fee, issue or renewal, over two years |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Complies with labour market laws and decisions and meets general obligations, plus at least one achievement, such as raising Emiratisation to three times the target, training 500 or more citizens a year with Nafis, being a youth-owned project, supporting workforce planning through cultural diversity, or operating in a sector targeted by the Cabinet | Up to AED 250 |
| Category 2 | Complies with the general standards and the skilled workforce and diversity policy, without meeting category 1 criteria. The default for a compliant company | AED 1,200 |
| Category 3 | Fails to observe labour market laws, labour rights standards or the diversity policy. MOHRE names a final verdict of human trafficking, recruiting a worker without a permit, submitting incorrect data, failing on wages, housing or safety, and fake Emiratisation | AED 3,450, with no discounts |
MOHRE also says the system can reduce its fees by up to 80% for companies with major achievements, that employment of UAE and GCC nationals is fee-exempt in every category, and that the classification rises automatically when a company meets the criteria. It can also fall: under the WPS rules, repeat late payment moves a company to category 3 (as reported for Resolution 340 of 2026), and MOHRE lists downgrading to the third category among the penalties for firms with registered workers and no real activity.

What the category costs in practice
The gap is easiest to see on a real headcount. The table multiplies MOHRE’s published fees; it leaves out the federal application fee and service charges, which are the same whatever the category.
| Staff on work permits | Category 1 | Category 2 | Category 3 | Gap between 1 and 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AED 250 | AED 1,200 | AED 3,450 | AED 3,200 |
| 5 | AED 1,250 | AED 6,000 | AED 17,250 | AED 16,000 |
| 20 | AED 5,000 | AED 24,000 | AED 69,000 | AED 64,000 |
| 50 | AED 12,500 | AED 60,000 | AED 172,500 | AED 160,000 |
Those are two-year figures, paid again at each renewal cycle. For a full line-by-line hiring cost, including the Tasheel and Amer lines that do not change with the category, see our UAE employment visa cost guide.
How to find your company’s category
The category shows on the establishment’s file in Tasheel Web and on the fee lines of any work permit transaction. A business service centre can read it from the file, and MOHRE’s call centre on 600590000 can confirm it. If your per-permit costs have jumped and nobody can explain why, check the category before anything else.
Moving back up means fixing the cause: clearing wage arrears, correcting data, housing workers properly, or making Emirati hires real. Paying a fine alone does not restore the category. Deal with the cause first, then confirm the file status with MOHRE.
How to reach MOHRE UAE: every channel for MOHRE services
MOHRE UAE runs most of its services digitally, with a network of licensed centres for people who need help in person. Picking the right channel saves days.
| Channel | What it is for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MOHRE UAE website (mohre.gov.ae) | Service cards, e-services, the Inquiry Service, laws and guidance | Most individual services need UAE Pass |
| MOHRE UAE smart app | Complaints, contract approval, cancellation signatures, status checks | The app employees use most |
| Tasheel Web | MOHRE’s portal for establishments: permits, contracts, quota, cancellations | Used by company signatories and PROs |
| Business service centres (many still branded Tasheel) | MOHRE transactions typed and submitted for companies and individuals, including domestic worker services | Gulf News counted 152 accredited centres in November 2025, 73 of them in Dubai. MOHRE service cards cap the centre’s commission (for example up to AED 72 on a cancellation) |
| Tawjeeh centres | Guidance and awareness for employers and workers, delivery of contracts and permits, work certificates | MOHRE: licensed centres in all emirates; guidance in 15 languages |
| Twa-fouq centres (also written Tawafuq) | Labour complaints from employers and workers, working towards amicable settlement | MOHRE-licensed; check current hours before you go |
| Tawseel | A service vehicle from an approved centre that comes to the elderly, pregnant women and People of Determination | Listed on MOHRE’s approved centres page |
| Tadbeer centres and licensed recruitment agencies | Domestic worker recruitment and services | Only MOHRE-licensed providers may be used |
| Call centre 600590000 | General enquiries, application status; the same number runs MOHRE’s WhatsApp service | WhatsApp launched in September 2022, around the clock, in English and Arabic (Gulf News) |
| 80084 | Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre | Replaced 04 665 9999 from 12 October 2023 (MOHRE on X) |
Tasheel, Tawjeeh and Twa-fouq in one paragraph
Think of them as three counters for three jobs. Tasheel (the business service centres) types and submits transactions. Tawjeeh guides workers and employers and delivers permits and contracts; our published Tasheel fee sheets include a Tawjeeh line. Twa-fouq takes labour complaints and works towards settlement. Our guide to Amer vs Tasheel separates the labour counters from the immigration ones.
The Work Bundle
For mainland hiring in Dubai, the Work Bundle joins MOHRE, ICP, GDRFA and Dubai Health in one application for the work permit and residence. Digital Dubai said on 11 March 2024 that it cuts processing from 30 working days to 5 and visits from 7 to 2. It runs through Invest in Dubai and workinuae.ae.
How to check things on MOHRE UAE
Most MOHRE services for checking a record have no fee and are online. The table lists the checks we are asked about most, with the channel MOHRE provides. The exact menu labels change from time to time, so look for the service name rather than a fixed path.
| What you want to check | How | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Whether a job offer is genuine | MOHRE website, Enquiry Services, “Enquiry for Job Offer” | The transaction number from the employer, company number, date range and permit type (Gulf News, updated November 2024) |
| Your work permit (“labour card”) | The MOHRE UAE Inquiry Service or app | Work permit number, or Emirates ID or passport details. See our labour card guide |
| Status of an application (permit, contract, cancellation) | Inquiry Service, the app, 600590000 or the chatbot | The transaction or application number. MOHRE’s service cards give this list of follow-up channels |
| Your employment contract | The MOHRE UAE app, or the Inquiry Service | UAE Pass or the contract and permit details |
| A labour complaint | The MOHRE UAE app, the website or 80084 | The complaint number. See our MOHRE complaint guide |
| A company’s quota and file | Tasheel Web, the Inquiry Service or 600590000 | Company number; signatory access for full detail |
| A labour ban | Ask MOHRE on 600590000; the checking routes are set out in our labour ban guide | Passport and previous permit details |
A genuine offer for a mainland job is entered on MOHRE and has a transaction number. If an employer cannot give you one, or the offer does not show on the enquiry, stop before you pay or travel. A legitimate employer bears the cost of your permit and visa; anyone asking a candidate to pay for them is outside the rules.
MOHRE services fees: what MOHRE publishes
Fees for MOHRE services are set mostly by Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020 and the classification resolution, and appear on each service card rather than on one list. The table collects the ones that affect most people. Business service centres add a capped commission, and the screen at payment is final.
| Item | Published figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit, issue or renewal, two years | Up to AED 250 (category 1); AED 1,200 (category 2); AED 3,450 (category 3) | MOHRE announcement, 1 June 2022; u.ae |
| UAE and GCC nationals’ permits | Fee-exempt | MOHRE announcement, 1 June 2022 |
| Labour complaint | No fee on the service card; worker claims up to AED 100,000 carry no court fees | MOHRE service card; Labour Law, Art. 55 |
| Work permit cancellation | No fee on the website and app; business centre commission capped (up to AED 72) | MOHRE cancellation service card |
| Not paying wages through WPS | AED 1,000 per worker, up to AED 20,000 | Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020 |
| ILOE non-subscription (worker) | AED 400 | MOHRE, 13 December 2023 |
| Circumventing Emiratisation | AED 100,000 first offence, rising to AED 500,000 | Cabinet Resolution No. 95 of 2022 |
| Missed Emiratisation targets | A financial contribution per missing Emirati; confirm the current figure with MOHRE | MOHRE Emiratisation guidance |
For fees across all authorities (MOHRE, GDRFA, ICP and the rest), see our list of UAE government fees 2026; for a quick estimate of a whole visa, the Dubai visa cost calculator; and for what a PRO adds, PRO services cost in Dubai.
What is MOHRE compared with GDRFA and ICP?
A single mainland job in Dubai touches three government bodies, plus a health authority. They are not alternatives; they are steps in a sequence, each with its own system and fees. Most wasted journeys come from taking a question to the wrong one.
| Authority | What it owns | What it does not |
|---|---|---|
| MOHRE UAE (federal) | Company labour file, quota, work permit, employment contract, WPS, labour complaints, Emiratisation, domestic workers | Entry permits, residence visas, Emirates ID |
| GDRFA (Dubai) | Entry permits and residence visas for Dubai files, renewal, cancellation, return permits, the immigration establishment card | Work permits, Emirates ID |
| ICP (federal) | Residence files from the other six emirates, and every Emirates ID | Work permits and contracts |
| Free zone authority | Permits and employment files for its own companies | Mainland employment |
| Dubai Health or the local health authority | The medical fitness test | Anything else in the sequence |
For a mainland hire in Dubai the order is: MOHRE work permit approval, then the GDRFA entry permit (GDRFA’s own card lists MOHRE endorsement as its condition), then the medical test, then ICP biometrics, then the GDRFA residence and the Emirates ID. At the end, the order reverses: MOHRE cancellation first, then GDRFA or ICP.
For the immigration side, see what is GDRFA, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship guide, and ICP vs GDRFA, which explains how to tell from the residence file number which of the two holds your file.
Recent MOHRE UAE changes, 2024 to 2026
The rules of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation have moved quickly, and a guide written two years ago can be wrong on several points. These are the changes we have verified, with the source for each. Where only press or law firm reports were available, the table says so.
| When | Change | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2024 | MOHRE may decide labour claims up to AED 50,000 (Decree-Law No. 20 of 2023) | Smaller claims no longer need a court to be decided | Labour Law, Art. 54 as amended |
| March 2024 | Work Bundle launched in Dubai | One application for work permit and residence; 5 working days target | Digital Dubai, 11 March 2024 |
| Late August 2024 | Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024 rewrites Article 54 | Limitation period two years from the end of employment; MOHRE decisions challenged at the Court of First Instance within 15 working days | Labour Law, Art. 54 as amended |
| 2025 | MOHRE reports settling 98.6% of labour disputes amicably in 2025 | Most complaints end without a court | MOHRE news, March 2026 (title), and press reports |
| First half of 2025 | About 1,300 establishments found with registered workers but no real activity; fines above AED 34 million | Data-driven enforcement; downgrade to category 3 among the penalties | Gulf News, 5 December 2025 (secondary) |
| 1 January 2026 | Emirati minimum wage in the private sector raised to AED 6,000 a month | Applies to UAE nationals’ private-sector work permits | MOHRE news, 31 December 2025 |
| 1 June 2026 | Ministerial Resolution No. 340 of 2026 on WPS replaces No. 598 of 2022 | Wages due on the 1st; 85% test; escalation from day 2 to day 21 (as reported) | MOHRE news, 4 June 2026; law firm briefings |
| 30 June 2026 | First-half 2026 Emiratisation deadline for companies with 50 or more staff | Contributions applied from 1 July 2026 where missed | MOHRE statement, reported May 2026 |
| September 2026 | MOHRE publicises 11 kinds of violation workers can report through the app, website or 80084 | Clear reporting channels for workers | Gulf News, 4 September 2026 (secondary) |
Some pages on u.ae still describe a one-year limit for labour claims. The Labour Law as amended by Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024 says two years from the end of employment, and that is the figure we use. The full text of Resolution No. 340 of 2026 was not available to us on an official page, so its details are given “as reported”.
What is MOHRE to an employee? The rights it gives
Read as a list of rights rather than rules, the system run by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation gives every mainland private-sector worker:
- A registered contract that fixes your terms, whatever anyone tells you verbally.
- An independent wage record through WPS, held by MOHRE UAE rather than your employer.
- A complaint route with no fee, amicable settlement first, and a MOHRE decision on claims up to AED 50,000.
- Limits on working time: 8 hours a day or 48 a week, paid overtime, rest breaks and the summer midday break.
- End-of-service pay within 14 days of the contract ending, not reduced by resigning.
- Protection when the employer breaches: under Article 45 you may leave without notice for an unremedied breach, after notifying MOHRE 14 working days ahead.
- Insurance backstops: ILOE if you lose your job through no fault of your own, and the workers’ protection insurance up to AED 20,000 on a decision or ruling.
In a salary dispute, the argument is usually about what was agreed and what was paid. The MOHRE contract answers the first question; the WPS record answers the second. Together they turn a disagreement into documented facts, which is why these cases are more winnable than people assume.
What is MOHRE to an employer? The obligations
The same framework, read from the company’s side, is a set of obligations with real consequences. The most effective sanction is rarely the fine; it is the block. A company that cannot issue or renew permits cannot replace leavers or keep staff whose permits are expiring.
| Obligation | What happens if it is missed |
|---|---|
| Hold a valid MOHRE work permit for every worker, in the right occupation | Illegal employment; permits refused or cancelled; category 3 |
| Register accurate contracts | The registered contract governs any dispute; incorrect data is a category 3 trigger |
| Pay wages through WPS by the due date | Escalating measures from day 2, permit suspension, fines, category 3 (as reported under Resolution 340) |
| Pay end-of-service dues within 14 days | Labour complaint, with the WPS record as evidence |
| Meet Emiratisation targets where they apply | A financial contribution per missing Emirati; circumvention from AED 100,000 |
| Provide compliant accommodation where required | New permits blocked |
For the reasons a company outsources this, see why companies need PRO services.
What goes wrong most often with MOHRE services
- Going to the wrong authority. A residence question taken to a Tasheel centre, or a work permit question taken to Amer. Job questions go to MOHRE; residence questions to GDRFA or ICP.
- Free zone staff filing with MOHRE. The free zone holds the file. Start there.
- Relying on the offer letter instead of the MOHRE contract. The registered contract is the one that counts, especially on basic salary.
- Signing a cancellation that says “all dues received” before they are. The acknowledgement on the MOHRE cancellation is evidence against you later.
What is MOHRE in practice? Four cases, worked through
These cases are built from the situations we see most often. Names and identifying details are left out, and the figures are the published ones.
1. “Check it on MOHRE”: a new hire with an offer letter
A candidate abroad receives an offer from a Dubai trading company and is asked to pay AED 3,000 “for the visa”. He is told the offer is registered with MOHRE.
What actually applies. A genuine mainland offer has a MOHRE transaction number and can be checked through the MOHRE UAE Enquiry Services, “Enquiry for Job Offer”. The employer bears permit and visa costs. He asked for the transaction number, got none, and did not pay. Had it been genuine, the sequence would have been MOHRE permit approval, then the GDRFA entry permit, then the medical, biometrics and residence.
2. Free zone salary complaint that went nowhere
A sales executive employed by a Jafza company has not been paid for two months. She files a complaint on the MOHRE UAE app and hears nothing useful for weeks.
What actually applies. Her permit was issued by the free zone, so MOHRE does not hold her employment file. The first door is Jafza’s labour desk, which publishes its own procedure. The federal Labour Law still shapes her rights in most respects, but the route is the free zone’s. The procedure is in our MOHRE complaint guide, which covers free zones, DIFC and ADGM.
3. A 20-person company paying category 3 prices
A contracting company notices that each work permit renewal costs far more than last year. Nobody has changed the plan or the provider.
What actually applies. Salaries were late through WPS several months running, and the company had been moved to category 3. At AED 3,450 per two-year permit instead of AED 1,200, twenty renewals cost AED 69,000 instead of AED 24,000, a difference of AED 45,000 for one cycle. The fix was paying on time consistently and confirming the file status with MOHRE, not a change of provider.
4. Domestic worker questions answered with private-sector rules
A family’s nanny asks about end-of-service pay. A friend quotes the 21-days-per-year rule from the Labour Law and a 14-day payment deadline.
What actually applies. Domestic workers are outside the private-sector Labour Law and fall under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, which MOHRE administers. That law requires dues within 10 days of the contract ending (Article 19) and gives the Cabinet power to set how gratuity is calculated (Article 22). The family confirmed the current position with MOHRE UAE on 600590000 before settling, rather than borrowing the private-sector formula.
What circulates online about MOHRE UAE that is not true
| What people say | What the official sources say |
|---|---|
| “MOHRE issues my visa.” | MOHRE issues the work permit. The residence visa is GDRFA’s (Dubai) or ICP’s; the Emirates ID is always ICP’s. |
| “MOHRE covers everyone who works in the UAE.” | Article 3 excludes government employees, the armed forces, police and security, and domestic workers (who have their own law). Free zones issue their own permits; DIFC and ADGM have their own laws. |
| “Companies are rated A, B or C and it is just a label.” | MOHRE calls them categories 1, 2 and 3 (u.ae uses A, B, C), and the category sets the permit fee: AED 250, 1,200 or 3,450 over two years. |
| “You have one year to bring a labour claim.” | Two years from the end of employment since the 2024 amendment to Article 54. |
| “Resigning cuts your gratuity.” | That was the 1980 law. It no longer applies. |
| “Leaving a job automatically brings a ban.” | A one-year ban applies only in defined cases. See our labour ban guide. |
| “Filing a complaint costs money.” | MOHRE’s complaint service card lists no fee, and worker claims up to AED 100,000 carry no court fees. |
How to verify every figure in this guide
| Claim | Where to check it |
|---|---|
| Renaming from Ministry of Labour, 8 February 2016 | Emirates 24|7 report of the government restructuring |
| Domestic workers moved to MOHRE from 2017 | Gulf News, 17 December 2016 |
| Scope of the Labour Law and exclusions | Decree-Law 33/2021, Article 3 (uaelegislation.gov.ae) |
| Categories 1 to 3, criteria and fees | MOHRE announcement of 1 June 2022 (Cabinet Resolution No. 18 of 2022) |
| 13 work permit types; refusal grounds; four blocking violations | u.ae: Work permits |
| AED 50,000 decisions, 15 working days, two-year limitation | Decree-Law 33/2021, Article 54 as amended |
| 600590000 WhatsApp; 80084 claims line | Gulf News, September 2022; MOHRE on X, October 2023 |
| Accommodation, midday break, working hours, work injuries | u.ae pages on labour accommodation, working hours and work injury compensation |
| AED 6,000 Emirati minimum wage | MOHRE news, 31 December 2025 |
| WPS Resolution 340 of 2026 | MOHRE news, 4 June 2026; details as reported |
This guide was rewritten and every claim re-checked. Main changes: (1) the earlier version said no labour claim is heard more than one year after the violation; since Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024 the limit is two years from the end of employment. (2) It called the company tiers only A, B and C; MOHRE names them category 1, 2 and 3, as Tasheel fee sheets show. (3) It said Nafis aims to place 75,000 Emiratis; the current official page gives AED 24 billion and an extension to 2040 instead.
(4) A specific 2026 monthly Emiratisation contribution and two ministerial resolutions we could not verify on an official page were removed. (5) Domestic workers are now described as served by Tadbeer centres and licensed agencies, not Tadbeer alone. (6) We added the 2016 renaming date, MOHRE channels, checks, published fees and the 2024 to 2026 changes.
What we will and will not do
We will check whether your matter belongs to MOHRE, a free zone or immigration before charging you, tell you which of the MOHRE services applies, submit and follow it through Tasheel, pass on government fees at cost, handle the labour and immigration steps in the right order, act for you under power of attorney if you are abroad, and tell you plainly when you can do it yourself on the MOHRE UAE app.
We will not promise an outcome MOHRE or a court decides, “remove” a ban that lifts on its own, help anyone disguise a company’s category or its Emiratisation numbers, quote a price for a file we have not seen, or present an unofficial figure as a government one.
Related guides
- Work permit types UAE: all 13 MOHRE permits, conditions and costs
- MOHRE labour card: what it is today and how to check it
- UAE employment contract types
- MOHRE complaint: step by step
- WPS UAE: the Wage Protection System explained
- Emiratisation rules UAE
- UAE employment visa cost by company category
- Cancel employment visa UAE
- End of service gratuity UAE
- Amer vs Tasheel
What is MOHRE: frequently asked questions
What is MOHRE in the UAE?
MOHRE is the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the federal ministry that regulates private-sector employment on the UAE mainland and runs Emiratisation policy. It registers employers, issues work permits, approves contracts, runs the Wage Protection System, settles labour disputes, inspects workplaces and regulates domestic workers. Residence visas and Emirates IDs are handled by GDRFA and ICP instead.
What is the MOHRE full form?
The MOHRE full form is Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. It is written both MOHRE and MoHRE. Until February 2016 it was called the Ministry of Labour, which is why older documents and many residents still say “labour office” or “labour card”. The Emiratisation part of the name refers to its job of increasing the number of UAE nationals working in private companies.
Is MOHRE the same as the Ministry of Labour?
Yes. MOHRE UAE is the same ministry under a new name and a wider mandate. The UAE government restructuring announced on 8 February 2016 renamed the Ministry of Labour as the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and attached the national employment authority, Tanmia, to it. Documents issued under the old name stayed valid for their term.
What MOHRE services can I use as an employee?
The most used are checking your work permit and contract, approving your contract and signing cancellations on the MOHRE UAE app, filing a labour or salary complaint, checking a job offer, and following up any application. Most have no fee on the website and app with UAE Pass. The call centre is 600590000, and 80084 is the labour claims and advisory line.
Does MOHRE cover free zone employees?
Usually not for day-to-day matters. Free zone companies get their employees’ permits from the free zone authority, which holds the employment file and handles complaints first, although the federal Labour Law applies in most zones. DIFC and ADGM are different again: they have their own employment laws and courts. Check who issued your permit before you file anything.
Does MOHRE handle domestic workers?
Yes. Domestic workers are outside the private-sector Labour Law but are regulated by MOHRE under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022. Recruitment runs through Tadbeer centres and MOHRE-licensed agencies, and MOHRE has a separate complaint service for domestic workers. Their rules on hours, leave and dues differ from private-sector rules, so do not apply one to the other.
What is the difference between MOHRE and GDRFA?
MOHRE governs your job: the work permit, contract, wages and disputes. GDRFA governs your presence in Dubai: the entry permit, residence visa, renewal and cancellation of Dubai files. ICP does the same for the other emirates and issues every Emirates ID. A mainland job needs MOHRE first, then immigration. At the end, the MOHRE cancellation comes first, then the residence cancellation.
What are MOHRE company categories 1, 2 and 3?
They are the three tiers of MOHRE’s establishment classification under Cabinet Resolution No. 18 of 2022. The category sets the two-year work permit fee: up to AED 250 in category 1, AED 1,200 in category 2 and AED 3,450 in category 3. Category 1 needs compliance plus an achievement such as strong Emiratisation; category 3 follows serious breaches.
How do I check my work permit or labour card on MOHRE?
Use the Inquiry Service on the MOHRE UAE website or app, with your work permit number or personal details. The old physical labour card has been replaced by the digital work permit and the MOHRE contract. Our labour card guide shows where to find and download both, and what to do if the details are wrong.
How can I check if a job offer is registered with MOHRE?
On the MOHRE website, open Enquiry Services and choose “Enquiry for Job Offer”. You need the transaction number from the employer, the company number, a date range and the permit type. A genuine mainland offer shows up. If the employer cannot give you a transaction number, or asks you to pay for your visa, treat it as a warning sign.
How long do I have to file a labour claim with MOHRE?
The Labour Law, as amended by Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024, says a claim is not heard after two years from the end of employment. Some older pages still say one year. In practice, file as soon as a problem is clear, because evidence and bargaining power fade quickly. MOHRE decides claims up to AED 50,000; larger claims go to court.
What do Tasheel, Tawjeeh and Twa-fouq centres do?
They are MOHRE-licensed counters for different jobs. Tasheel, now business service centres, types and submits requests for MOHRE services such as permits, contracts and cancellations. Tawjeeh centres give guidance to workers and employers and deliver contracts and permits. Twa-fouq centres handle labour complaints and work towards settlement. Service centre commission is capped on MOHRE’s service cards.
Can I deal with MOHRE myself without a PRO?
Yes. Employees can do almost everything on the MOHRE UAE app, and many company transactions are straightforward on Tasheel Web for a signatory. A PRO is worth it for new company files, quota and category problems, Emiratisation compliance, disputes with several heads of claim, and anything handled from abroad, where a mistake is slow and expensive to unwind.
Can MIRDXB PRO handle MOHRE services for me?
Yes. We handle labour file opening, quota approval, work permits of every type, contracts, cancellations, WPS set-up and labour complaints through Tasheel, and the immigration steps that follow through Amer or ICP. We check the file first, then confirm the route, the government fees and our own fee in writing before we start.
I am outside the UAE. Can you deal with MOHRE for me?
Yes. Many MOHRE steps are done online, and the cancellation service has an exception for workers who are outside the country. Where a signature or representation is needed, we act under a power of attorney; the Ministry of Justice issues digital powers of attorney to people inside or outside the UAE. We tell you exactly what the POA must cover first.
Getting MOHRE services right, from a new company labour file to a cancellation filed from abroad, is what our PRO services in Dubai team handles.
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations
- Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, Executive Regulation of the Labour Law
- Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020 on MOHRE service fees and administrative fines
- Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 on Domestic Workers
- Ministerial Resolution No. 47 of 2022 on labour dispute and complaint procedures
- MOHRE: New classification of private companies comes into force
- MOHRE: Classification system for companies under Cabinet Resolution No. 18 of 2022
- MOHRE: Tawjeeh centres
- MOHRE: Twa-fouq service centres
- MOHRE: Approved service centres and Tawseel
- MOHRE: Cancellation of Work Permits and Employment Contracts
- MOHRE: Register Labour Complaints, Private Sector Employees
- MOHRE: Minimum wage for Emiratis raised to AED 6,000
- MOHRE: New Wage Protection System decision
- MOHRE: Fines for workers who do not join the unemployment insurance scheme
- MOHRE: Labour disputes settled in 2025
- MOHRE: UAE government launches the Work Bundle
- u.ae: Work permits
- u.ae: Working hours, overtime and the midday break
- u.ae: Labour accommodation
- u.ae: Work injury compensation
- u.ae: Domestic workers
- u.ae: Projects of the 50, Nafis
- Digital Dubai: Work Bundle launch
- GDRFA Dubai: Visa Issuance for Foreigners linked with Job Contract
- Ministry of Justice: Digital power of attorney service
- Emirates 24|7 (secondary): Ministry of Labour renamed, 8 February 2016
- Gulf News (secondary): Domestic worker applications transferred to MOHRE, December 2016
- Gulf News (secondary): New MOHRE structure, March 2024
- Gulf News (secondary): MOHRE WhatsApp on 600590000, September 2022
- Gulf News (secondary): 152 accredited business service centres, November 2025
- Gulf News (secondary): 1,300 firms flagged, December 2025
- Gulf News (secondary): 11 violations workers can report, September 2026
- Gulf News (secondary): How to check a job offer on MOHRE
- Gulf News (secondary): Licensed domestic worker recruitment agencies, March 2022
Please note. Names, laws, categories, fees, channels and dates in this guide are as published by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), the Official Portal of the UAE Government, the UAE legislation portal, GDRFA and Digital Dubai, or as reported by the news outlets named, at the date of verification (23 September 2026). Where only a news or law firm report was available, the guide says so. Rules and fees change, and MOHRE’s own screen, service card and decision are final. The cases are built from common situations and are illustrative, not the records of named clients. This guide is general information, not legal advice.




