Key takeaways
- Work permit types (UAE): MOHRE now publishes 13. They are recruitment from abroad, transfer, family-sponsored, temporary, mission, part-time, juvenile, student training and employment, UAE/GCC national, Golden visa holder, UAE national trainee, freelance and private teacher. The count has moved over time, which is why older pages say 10, 11 or 12.
- Which of the work permit types applies follows the person, not the job. Where the worker is now (abroad, with another employer, on a family visa, on a Golden visa) and who employs them during the engagement decides the permit.
- Validity differs between work permit types. MOHRE’s service cards give two years for most types, but one year for juvenile and (on the current card) the part-time work permit, three months for student and mission permits, and 12 months for UAE national trainees.
- The category fee applies to a few permits only. Recruitment from abroad, two-year renewals and (in the Cabinet fee schedule) transfers cost AED 250, AED 1,200 or AED 3,450 depending on the establishment’s MOHRE classification. Most in-country types carry a flat AED 50 federal fee; the private teacher permit has no fee.
- Family visa holders can work on a family-sponsored work permit without the employer taking over their residence, and without using the company’s quota.
- A work permit is not a visa. MOHRE authorises the work; GDRFA or ICP authorises residence. Both must be in place, and both must be cancelled when the job ends.
- Employing someone without a permit is expensive. Article 60 of the Labour Law, as amended by Decree-Law 9 of 2024, sets fines of AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000.
A UAE work permit is the authorisation the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) gives a mainland establishment to employ a particular person in a particular occupation, and MOHRE currently publishes 13 work permit types, one for each hiring situation. The main ones are the permit to recruit from abroad, the transfer permit for someone already working in the UAE, and the family-sponsored permit for residents on a relative’s visa. Specialist work permit types cover the temporary work permit, mission work, the part-time work permit, young people aged 15 to 18, students, UAE and GCC nationals, Golden visa holders, UAE national trainees, freelancers and private tutors. Each has its own conditions, validity and fee.
This guide goes through all the types of work permit in UAE mainland law: who each is for, MOHRE’s conditions, validity, fees by establishment category, documents, how to apply and the mistakes that get applications rejected. It is written for employers choosing between the work permit types, and for workers who want to know what their own permit says.
Everything here was checked on 23 September 2026 against MOHRE service cards and news releases, u.ae (updated 13 August 2026), the Labour Law and its Executive Regulation, and the resolutions that set fees and penalties. Where official sources differ, we show both.
This page explains the work permit types (UAE mainland). If you want the permit issued for you, that is our MOHRE work permit service in Dubai. The card itself (what it shows, how to download or replace it) is covered in our labour card guide. The full cost of hiring on an employment visa, including GDRFA, medical and Emirates ID fees, is in our employment visa cost breakdown, and contract forms (full-time, remote, job-sharing and so on) are in our guide to MOHRE contract types.
Work permit types UAE: all 13 at a glance
The table lists the work permit types in the order used on the UAE government portal. Validity and federal fees are taken from each MOHRE service card; category fees apply only where shown. All MOHRE services carry no MOHRE service charge on the website and app; a business service centre (Tasheel or Tawjeeh) may add a commission capped at AED 72, and VAT and collection charges are extra.
| # | MOHRE work permit type | Who it is for | Validity (service card) | Federal fee | Quota needed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Recruitment from outside the UAE | A worker who is abroad and has no active UAE work permit | 2 years | AED 50 application + AED 250 / 1,200 / 3,450 by category | Yes (electronic quota) |
| 2 | Transfer | A non-national moving from one MOHRE-registered employer to another | 2 years | AED 50 on the card (see the fee section for the category fee question) | Not stated on the card |
| 3 | Family-sponsored resident | A resident on a spouse’s or parent’s (relative’s) residence visa | 2 years | AED 50 application + AED 250 issuance | No |
| 4 | Temporary work permit | A worker already in the UAE engaged for a task of limited duration | Limited period (u.ae); the card shows 2 years | AED 50 | Not stated |
| 5 | Mission | A worker brought from abroad for a temporary job or fixed project | 3 months, extendable once | AED 50 on the card; AED 250 in the Cabinet fee schedule | Yes |
| 6 | Part-time work permit | A resident on a part-time contract with fewer hours or days than full-time | 1 year on the card; 2 years in MOHRE’s June 2026 announcement | AED 50 | No |
| 7 | Juvenile | A young person aged 15 to under 18 | 1 year | AED 50 | No |
| 8 | Student training and employment | A student aged 15 or over | 3 months | AED 50 | Not stated |
| 9 | UAE and GCC national | Emirati and GCC citizens working in the private sector | 2 years | Exempt from category fees | No |
| 10 | Golden visa holder | A holder of a valid UAE Golden residence | 2 years | AED 50 | Not stated |
| 11 | UAE national trainee | An Emirati trained in line with an accredited qualification | 12 months, renewable by agreement | AED 50 | No |
| 12 | Freelance | An individual working independently, without an employer sponsor or employment contract | Not published on a card we could read | AED 250 for two years (Cabinet fee schedule) | n/a |
| 13 | Private teacher | Qualified people giving private lessons outside schools | 2 years | No fee | n/a |
Work permit types UAE: how MIRDXB PRO helps
Most permit applications are routine once the right type is chosen, and a company with an experienced in-house PRO may never need us. Employers and workers come to us when the situation is not routine: a candidate on a family visa, a Golden visa holder, a part-time work permit for a second job, a student over the summer, a secondment from a group company, a quota problem, or a rejection they do not understand. We are a PRO and visa services firm in Al Barsha 1, Dubai. The service page for this work is our MOHRE work permit service.
What we do
- Pick the right one of the work permit types with you from the person’s current status and the arrangement you actually intend, and tell you when a different type or a contract change is the better answer.
- Check the establishment first: trade licence validity, activity against the occupation, electronic quota, classification category, and any fines or suspensions that would block issuance.
- Prepare the file: the MOHRE job offer form, photographs, passport and residence copies, certificates by skill level, guardian consent and medical certificate for minors, employer no-objection letters where the card asks for them.
- Submit and follow up on the MOHRE system, answer returns, and move the file on to the next step (entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, residence, contract) where it is part of a new hire.
- Renew and cancel permits on time, including the dependants and residence side where they are linked.
How it works
- Message us on WhatsApp with the person’s passport and visa page (or Emirates ID), the job title and the trade licence number.
- We confirm the permit type, the published government fee for your category, the documents still needed and any blockers, in writing.
- You approve our fee quote. We then prepare and submit the application under your establishment’s authorised signatory.
- We track it to approval and send you the permit and the next step. MOHRE’s cards give two working days for most work permit types once the file is complete.
What it costs
Government fees are passed on at cost, with MOHRE’s receipt. For a permit to recruit from abroad that means AED 50 plus AED 250, AED 1,200 or AED 3,450 depending on the establishment’s category; for most in-country types it is AED 50. Our own service fee depends on the permit type and the number of workers and is quoted in writing before we start. Our standard packages are on our fees page.
Why employers and residents use us
- We publish our sources: every fee and condition in this guide links to the official page it came from.
- We work across MOHRE, GDRFA in Dubai and ICP for the other emirates, so the permit and the residence are handled as one job.
- We tell you when you do not need us, for example a simple family-sponsored permit your HR team can file on the MOHRE app in minutes.
- Our office is in Al Barsha 1, open by appointment; whatsApp us any time, 24 hours; office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 18:00 (Dubai time).
Work permit types UAE: why you see 10, 11, 12 or 13
People searching for the types of work permit in UAE law find lists of different lengths, and each one was right when it was written. The reason is that the list is built in layers.
The starting point is Article 6 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (the Labour Law): work may not be practised in the UAE, and an employer may not recruit or employ any worker, except after obtaining a work permit from the Ministry. The same Article leaves the types, conditions and procedures to the Executive Regulation.
The Executive Regulation, Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, lists twelve work permit types in Article 6(1), lettered (a) to (l): recruitment from outside the State, transfer, those sponsored by their family, temporary, mission, part-time, juvenile, training and student employment, UAE and GCC nationals, Golden residency holders, UAE national trainees, and freelance. Article 6(2) lets the Minister add new work permit types by resolution.
One was added that way: the private teacher permit, introduced by Ministerial Resolution No. 710 of 2023 and announced by MOHRE and the Ministry of Education on 18 December 2023. That makes thirteen, the number MOHRE and u.ae now list.
| Source and date | Count | What it includes or leaves out |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Resolution 1 of 2022, Article 6(1) | 12 | The list (a) to (l), including national trainee and freelance; no private teacher |
| MOHRE list reported by Gulf News, 25 January 2026 | 12 | Includes national trainee and private tutoring; freelance not listed |
| MOHRE announcement reported by Gulf News, 7 June 2026 | 13 | All thirteen, as part of a redesigned work permit service with a public consultation open until 30 July 2026 |
| u.ae work permits page, updated 13 August 2026 | 13 | All thirteen; the list this guide follows |
If a page says twelve work permit types, check which one is missing: usually freelance or private teacher.
In June 2026 MOHRE announced a new phase of its work permit services. As reported by Gulf News, the Ministry said it had removed the requirement for supporting documents by 100% for the redesigned services, cut mandatory data fields for certain permits by about 75% to 97%, shortened processing times and moved the services onto unified digital channels. It opened an electronic consultation until 30 July 2026. Some service cards we read still list documents; where the card and the announcement differ, the MOHRE application screen is what applies to your file.
Work permit types vs visa, labour card and contract
Much of the confusion around work permits comes from using one word for four documents. They are linked, but they are issued by different bodies for different purposes, and they are cancelled separately.
| Document | Issued by | What it authorises | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work permit | MOHRE (mainland) or the free zone authority | A named establishment to employ a named person in a named occupation | This guide |
| Residence visa | GDRFA (Dubai) or ICP (other emirates) | The person’s lawful residence in the UAE, with an Emirates ID | UAE visa types |
| Labour card | MOHRE | Nothing on its own; it is the card or digital record that shows the permit’s details | Labour card guide |
| Employment contract | Signed by the parties on MOHRE’s approved form | The terms: wage, hours, work pattern, notice, duration | Contract types guide |
Company owners and partners working in their own company sit outside these permits altogether; see investor, partner, manager or employee visa for where the line falls, including for hired managers.
Two practical consequences follow. First, a residence visa does not by itself allow someone to work for you. A person on a family visa, a Golden visa or a Green visa still needs the right MOHRE permit before they start. Second, cancelling the permit does not cancel the visa, and cancelling the visa does not cancel the permit. When employment ends, both files are closed, in order; our guide to cancelling an employment visa sets out the sequence.
The work permit type and the contract type are also different choices. A worker recruited from abroad can be on a full-time, part-time, remote or job-sharing contract. The part-time work permit is specifically for a person already resident in the UAE who takes a part-time role, often alongside another job.
Conditions that apply to all MOHRE work permit types
The UAE government portal lists five general conditions. Each is a real gate, and each one produces rejections when it is overlooked.
| Condition (u.ae) | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| The worker is at least 18 | Except on the juvenile permit (15 to under 18) and the student training and employment permit (15 and over) |
| The occupation matches the establishment’s activity | The job title must make sense against the licensed activities. A trading licence will not carry a nurse or a chef |
| The trade licence is valid and has no violations | An expired licence, or one with violations that suspend its operations, stops issuance for every permit type |
| The worker meets the conditions of a specialised profession | Doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, engineers and similar need the sector regulator’s licence; the permit does not replace it |
| An authorised representative applies | The application must come from a person legally authorised to represent the establishment, normally the signatory registered on the MOHRE file |
MOHRE’s individual service cards add conditions of their own. The most common are that the candidate must not hold another active work permit, and that the establishment must have an electronic quota for work permit types that bring a new worker into the labour market. The quota side is covered in our guides to MOHRE quota approval and company visa quota.
u.ae also lists grounds on which MOHRE may refuse or cancel a permit: incorrect documents, a fictitious establishment, or breaches of the Wage Protection System or other labour regulations. Ministerial Resolution No. 543 of 2022 adds that new permits are suspended for establishments with certain violations, including breaches under Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020, failure to provide labour accommodation, human trafficking allegations and misuse of MOHRE system access. The establishment can regain eligibility by correcting its status.
MOHRE work permit types one by one
Each of the 13 work permit types below follows the same pattern: who it is for, MOHRE’s conditions, validity, fees, documents, how to apply and the pitfalls we see. Conditions and documents come from MOHRE’s service cards as published on 23 September 2026; where a card was not reachable we say so. Unless stated otherwise, every type is applied for on the MOHRE website or app (no MOHRE service charge) or at a business service centre (commission capped at AED 72), and the card gives two working days.
Most cards ask for the same standard documents: a colour photograph on a white background, a passport copy valid for at least six months, MOHRE’s official job offer form signed by employer and employee, academic certificates according to the skill level, and a professional licence for regulated occupations. We list only what differs.
1. Work permit to recruit from outside the UAE
Who it is for. An establishment bringing a worker who is abroad into a job in the UAE. The permit comes first, then the entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID biometrics and residence visa.
Conditions. An available electronic quota, a worker aged 18 or over with no active work permit, a valid licence without suspending violations, and an application from the authorised signatory. The candidate may be replaced, or the nationality changed, within six months of approval, up to two times.
Validity and fees. Two years. AED 50 application, then AED 250 (category 1), AED 1,200 (category 2) or AED 3,450 (category 3).
Documents. The standard set, plus the national ID card for nationals of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran.
Pitfalls. The wage and title on the job offer form become the registered terms. A title the licence does not support is the commonest reason for refusal. Skilled-level certificates usually need attestation, and some need a MOHRE equivalency certificate. The residence side is covered by our employment visa service.
2. Transfer work permit
Who it is for. A non-national worker moving from one MOHRE-registered establishment to another without leaving the UAE. It is how most people change jobs inside the country.
Conditions. The standard age, activity and licence conditions, and no active work permit, which means the previous permit must be cancelled first.
Validity and fees. Two years. The card shows AED 50 for categories 1 to 3; Cabinet Resolution 21 of 2020 adds a two-year transfer permit at the category rate. See the fee section.
Documents. The standard set, plus national ID for the four nationalities above.
Pitfalls. Leaving during probation for another UAE employer needs one month’s notice under Article 9; see our probation guide. A labour ban blocks the transfer; our labour ban guide explains how to check. The grace period on the old residence keeps running while you wait.
3. Work permit for family-sponsored residents
Who it is for. A person living in the UAE on a residence visa sponsored by a family member who wants to work for a mainland establishment. The residence stays with the family sponsor; the employer only takes out the permit.
Conditions. Age 18 or over, a valid family residence, an occupation matching the licence, and no other active permit. The card says no electronic quota is needed and “all skill levels and professions” are allowed.
Validity and fees. Two years. AED 50 application plus AED 250 issuance.
Documents. The standard set.
Pitfalls. If the family sponsor’s visa is cancelled, the dependant’s residence goes with it, and the permit has no residence beneath it. Keep both expiry dates on your calendar.
4. Temporary work permit
Who it is for. The temporary work permit covers a worker already in the UAE who is engaged to complete a specific task within a specified period. The Executive Regulation describes a job “whose nature requires a limited period for its execution or completion”.
Conditions. Age 18 or over, matching activity, a valid licence, and the current employer’s approval, except where the worker has a labour case pending. The card says the temporary work permit “is granted only once, with the option to reapply when the permit expires”. No bank guarantee or insurance is needed.
Validity and fees. u.ae describes a limited period; the card’s validity field says “two years”. Read the end date on the issued temporary work permit rather than assuming either. Fee AED 50.
Documents. The standard set, the current employer’s approval form, and the court document where a labour case exists.
Pitfalls. The temporary work permit is not a trial hire or a substitute for probation. Its other use matters to workers: under Ministerial Resolution 47 of 2022, Article 3(d), a worker with a labour complaint may be given a temporary work permit to work elsewhere while the case runs, unless a work-abandonment report exists. See our guide to filing a MOHRE complaint.
5. Mission work permit
Who it is for. An establishment bringing a worker from abroad for short-term, project-based work, such as commissioning equipment or a fixed project. The Executive Regulation refers to “a temporary work or a fixed project with a determined period”.
Conditions. Age 18 or over, matching activity, a valid licence, no existing permit, and an electronic quota. All skill levels are eligible.
Validity and fees. Three months, extendable once. The card shows AED 50; Cabinet Resolution 21 of 2020 lists a “work assignment permit” at AED 250 for all categories. Confirm on the payment screen.
Documents. The standard set, with professional licences for health, education, legal and sports roles.
Pitfalls. A mission is work with an end point. Using it for an ordinary role to avoid the category fee shows in the establishment’s records.
6. Part-time work permit
Who it is for. The part-time work permit is for a resident on a part-time contract, with fewer hours or days than full-time staff. Article 6(1)(f) of the Executive Regulation says a part-time worker “may work for more than one employer after obtaining the Ministry’s permission”, which is why it is used for second jobs.
Conditions. Age 18 or over, a valid residence visa, matching activity and a valid licence. No bank guarantee, insurance or quota is needed.
Validity and fees. The card gives one year; MOHRE’s June 2026 announcement, as reported by Gulf News, lists the part-time work permit at two years. Check the dates on the permit issued. Fee AED 50.
Documents. The standard set, plus a no objection letter from the current employer where the person already works.
Pitfalls. A part-time work permit makes the holder an employee, with pro-rated leave and gratuity; it is not freelancing. Check the main contract for exclusivity clauses before asking for the letter. Part-time gratuity is explained in our gratuity guide.
7. Juvenile work permit (15 to 18)
Who it is for. An establishment employing a young person aged 15 to under 18. Article 5 of the Labour Law prohibits employing anyone under 15.
Conditions. The work must not be an occupation prohibited for juveniles (the card notes an exception for some skill level 1 and 2 roles), must match the activity, and the young person must not already hold a permit. No quota is needed.
Legal limits. Article 5 requires the guardian’s written consent and a medical fitness certificate, and limits actual work to six hours a day with breaks of at least an hour in total (Gulf News quotes a four-consecutive-hour cap). No work between 7 pm and 7 am, no dangerous or arduous work, no overtime and no rest-day work.
Validity and fees. One year. AED 50.
Documents. Photograph, the guardian’s signed consent, a medical fitness certificate, passport and residence copies, and the MOHRE-approved contract signed by both parties.
Pitfalls. Adult rotas break the hours rules quickly in retail and hospitality. Employing a juvenile in breach of the law is an Article 60 offence.
8. Student training and employment permit
Who it is for. An establishment training or employing a student aged 15 or over, such as a summer internship or course placement.
Conditions. The establishment must be operating, the job must not be prohibited for minors, the occupation must match the activity, and the student must not already hold a permit.
Validity and fees. Three months. AED 50.
Documents. Photograph, Emirates ID, proof of student status, a residence visa for non-nationals, guardian’s consent for ages 15 to 18, a medical fitness certificate, the institution’s no objection for training placements, and the signed contract.
Pitfalls. A placement that runs into term needs a new permit. Under-18s keep the Article 5 hours limits.
9. Work permit for UAE and GCC nationals
Who it is for. A private-sector establishment employing an Emirati or a citizen of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman or Qatar.
Conditions and fees. MOHRE’s 2022 classification announcement exempts UAE and GCC nationals from the category fees; u.ae gives two years’ validity. We could not load this card on 23 September 2026, so confirm documents on the application screen.
Pitfalls. Article 60 as amended in 2024 fines fictitious appointments of citizens AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000, multiplied by the number of workers. See our guide to Emiratisation rules.
10. Work permit for Golden visa holders
Who it is for. An establishment employing a holder of a valid UAE Golden residence. The visa is self-sponsored, but the holder still needs a permit to work for a mainland company. MOHRE introduced this permit in July 2021.
Conditions. Age 18 or over, matching activity, a valid licence, a valid Golden visa and professional licensing where relevant. All skill levels and professions are eligible.
Validity and fees. Two years. AED 50.
Documents. The standard set, with the residence permit copy.
Pitfalls. When the job ends, cancel only the work permit; the Golden residence stays with the holder. See our Golden visa eligibility guide.
11. UAE national trainee work permit
Who it is for. An establishment training an Emirati in line with an accredited qualification.
Conditions. Age 18 or over, matching activity, a valid licence and no existing permit. The contract may not exceed 12 months, renewable by agreement, and must state the qualification. No quota is needed.
Validity and fees. Twelve months, renewable. AED 50. Also available on Tawseel.
Documents. Photograph, Emirates ID, the signed job offer form, and a sector licence for health, education, justice or youth and sports roles.
Pitfalls. Keep training plans and attendance records; a traineeship must be real.
12. Freelance work permit
Who it is for. An individual working independently. Article 6(1)(k) of the Executive Regulation describes freelance work “with self-sponsorship for expat individuals”, without an employer sponsor and “without the requirement of holding a valid employment contract”.
Conditions and fees. Cabinet Resolution 21 of 2020 lists a two-year self-employment permit at AED 250. We could not reach a current MOHRE card, and the freelance permit was part of MOHRE’s June 2026 consultation, so confirm eligibility and fees on the MOHRE screen.
Pitfalls. The permit is not a residence; freelancers need their own visa. There is no gratuity, ILOE cover, paid leave or notice from clients. And check the scope stated on the permit before working across emirates or free zones.
13. Private teacher work permit
Who it is for. Qualified people giving private lessons outside schools. The newest of the work permit types, it was introduced by Ministerial Resolution 710 of 2023, announced by MOHRE and the Ministry of Education on 18 December 2023.
Who may apply. School teachers, government and private-sector employees, unemployed individuals, school students aged 15 to 18, and university students.
Validity and fees. Two years, no fee.
Documents. As reported by Gulf News in September 2025: a good conduct certificate, identity documents, a medical fitness certificate, a signed private tuition agreement, and an employer’s no-objection letter for employed applicants. Those documents carry their own fees. Gulf News reported one to five working days.
Pitfalls. Teachers may not tutor students from their own school. MOHRE says tutoring without the permit exposes the tutor to Labour Law penalties.
Fees for all MOHRE work permit types
MOHRE’s fees come from Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020 on MOHRE service fees and administrative fines, as amended with effect from 1 June 2022 when the establishment classification system started. The service cards show what each of the work permit types costs today. This table puts both side by side, with the source for every figure.
| Permit type | Category 1 | Category 2 | Category 3 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recruitment from abroad (application) | AED 50 | AED 50 | AED 50 | MOHRE service card; CR 21/2020 |
| Recruitment from abroad (two-year permit) | AED 250 | AED 1,200 | AED 3,450 | MOHRE service card; MOHRE classification news, 1 June 2022 |
| Two-year renewal | AED 250 | AED 1,200 | AED 3,450 | CR 21/2020 (renewal schedule) |
| Transfer | AED 50 on the service card; CR 21/2020 adds a two-year transfer permit at AED 250 / 1,200 / 3,450 | MOHRE service card; CR 21/2020 | ||
| Family-sponsored resident | AED 50 application + AED 250 issuance | MOHRE service card | ||
| Temporary work permit | AED 50 | MOHRE service card; CR 21/2020 | ||
| Mission | AED 50 on the service card; AED 250 “work assignment permit” in CR 21/2020 | MOHRE service card; CR 21/2020 | ||
| Part-time work permit | AED 50 | MOHRE service card; CR 21/2020 | ||
| Juvenile | AED 50 | MOHRE service card | ||
| Student training and employment | AED 50 | MOHRE service card; CR 21/2020 (“training permit”) | ||
| UAE and GCC national | Exempt from the category fees | MOHRE classification news, 1 June 2022 | ||
| Golden visa holder | AED 50 | MOHRE service card | ||
| UAE national trainee | AED 50 | MOHRE service card | ||
| Freelance (self-employment) | AED 250 for two years | CR 21/2020 (card not reachable) | ||
| Private teacher | No fee | MOHRE news, 18 December 2023; u.ae | ||
| Business service centre commission | Up to AED 72 per service; nil on MOHRE website and app | MOHRE service cards | ||
Every card adds that its fees exclude VAT and collection charges. These are MOHRE fees only. A new hire from abroad also pays GDRFA or ICP fees for the entry permit and residence, the medical test, Emirates ID and insurance; our employment visa cost breakdown and government fees list cover those. Article 6 of the Labour Law prohibits the employer from charging the worker any recruitment or employment fees, directly or indirectly.
The service cards for the transfer and mission permits show only the AED 50 federal fee; the Cabinet fee schedule lists a category-based transfer permit and a AED 250 assignment permit. No official page reconciles them, so budget the figure on the MOHRE payment screen.
Work permit types and classification: why one permit costs AED 250 or AED 3,450
Since 1 June 2022, under Cabinet Resolution No. 18 of 2022, MOHRE places every private establishment in one of three categories, and the category sets the two-year permit fee. MOHRE’s announcement describes them this way.
| Category | Who falls in it (MOHRE, 1 June 2022) | Two-year permit fee |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Establishments that comply with the labour laws and meet at least one additional criterion, such as raising Emiratisation well above target, cooperating with Nafis to train at least 500 citizens a year, being a youth-owned project, supporting cultural diversity in the workforce, or operating in a sector targeted by the Cabinet | AED 250 |
| Category 2 | Establishments that comply with the laws, general standards and the skilled workforce and diversity policy; the default for compliant companies | AED 1,200 |
| Category 3 | Establishments that fail to observe labour market policies or labour-rights standards, for example human trafficking, unlicensed recruitment, fake Emiratisation, wage or safety breaches, or false documents | AED 3,450 |
The difference is large for a growing company. Ten recruitment permits cost AED 2,500 in category 1 and AED 34,500 in category 3, on permit fees alone. Classification is also dynamic: a wage-payment failure under the Wage Protection System can move an establishment down. Our guide to WPS in the UAE explains how wage compliance feeds into MOHRE’s systems, and our MOHRE guide explains classification more broadly.
Can dependants on a family visa work in the UAE?
Yes. A spouse, son or daughter on a family residence visa can work for a mainland employer once that employer obtains the family-sponsored work permit. The residence stays with the family sponsor; the employer does not sponsor the visa and, according to MOHRE’s card, does not use its electronic quota. The card says all skill levels and professions may obtain it.
What the dependant and the employer should check:
- Age. The family-sponsored permit card requires 18 or over. A son or daughter aged 15 to 17 would use the juvenile or student permit instead.
- Residence validity. The permit rests on a valid family residence. If the sponsor leaves the UAE or cancels their own visa, the dependant’s residence, and with it the lawful basis to work, ends too.
- Working without a permit is not allowed simply because the visa is valid. The employer faces the Article 60 fines, and the worker has none of the protections a registered permit gives.
The family visa itself is covered in our family residence visa service.
Freelance permit vs Green visa
These are often confused because freelancers usually need both. They do different jobs.
| Point | Freelance work permit | Green visa (freelancers and self-employed) |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Permission to work independently without an employer or employment contract | A five-year, self-sponsored, renewable residence visa |
| Issued by | MOHRE (or a free zone or emirate licensing body for their own freelance licences) | ICP or GDRFA (residence) |
| Key requirement | Eligibility as set by MOHRE; fee AED 250 for two years in CR 21/2020 | A freelance permit from MOHRE; a bachelor’s degree, specialised diploma or equivalent; freelance income of at least AED 360,000 a year over the previous two years, or (ADRO) proof of financial solvency |
| Gives residence? | No | Yes |
| Gives the right to work? | Yes, as a freelancer | Not on its own; the freelance permit does that |
Abu Dhabi’s Residents Office lists “a freelance work permit issued by MOHRE” as the first requirement for the freelancer Green visa, and ICP sets the income and qualification tests. Someone who does not meet the Green visa thresholds can still freelance while resident on another basis, such as a family visa, or through a free zone freelance package that comes with a visa. Our freelance permit and visa service handles the permit side, our Green visa service the residence, and our comparison of the Golden and Green visas explains which long-term visa fits.
Part-time work permit vs temporary work permit, mission and freelance
These four work permit types cover work that is not a conventional full-time job, and the differences decide what the worker is entitled to.
| Point | Part-time work permit | Temporary work permit | Mission permit | Freelance permit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where is the worker now? | In the UAE with a valid residence | In the UAE | Abroad | In the UAE with own residence |
| Employment relationship? | Yes, with you | Yes, with you for the task | Yes, with you for the project | No |
| Consent needed | No objection letter from current employer | Current employer’s approval (except during a labour case) | n/a | n/a |
| Quota | No | Not stated | Yes | n/a |
| Validity | 1 year (card); 2 years (June 2026 announcement) | Limited period; card shows 2 years; granted once | 3 months, extendable once | Not published on a reachable card |
| Federal fee | AED 50 | AED 50 | AED 50 or AED 250 | AED 250 (CR 21/2020) |
| Gratuity and leave | Yes, pro-rated | Under the contract and the Labour Law | Under the contract and the Labour Law | No |
If two columns seem to fit, ask who will employ the person during the engagement. If it is you, it is an employment permit (a part-time work permit, a temporary work permit or a mission permit, depending on where they are and how long the work lasts). If it is nobody, it is freelance.
How to apply for any of the MOHRE work permit types
All 13 work permit types use the same channels: the MOHRE website, the MOHRE smart app, and business service centres (Tasheel and Tawjeeh centres). The national trainee permit is also listed on Tawseel. The general flow is the same for most work permit types.
- Check eligibility before the offer: licence valid, activity matches the job, no suspension, quota available where the type needs one, candidate has no active permit.
- Issue the MOHRE job offer form (or, for juveniles and students, the approved contract) and have both parties sign it.
- Submit the application for the right one of the work permit types with the documents the card or screen asks for.
- Pay the federal fee shown on the screen: AED 50, plus the category fee where it applies.
- Receive the approval. Most cards give two working days. For recruitment from abroad, the process then continues to the entry permit and residence at GDRFA or ICP.
- Register the contract and add the worker to payroll under WPS.
For new hires from abroad, u.ae describes the Work Bundle, which combines the work permit, residence visa, medical examination and Emirates ID fingerprinting into one integrated service. u.ae states that it reduced steps from 15 to 5, required documents from 16 to 5, visits from 7 to 2, and processing time from 30 working days to 5. Tasheel’s role is explained in our Tasheel services page and our comparison of Amer and Tasheel.
Renewing work permit types: late fines and blocks
u.ae lists three conditions for renewal: the original issuance conditions must still be met, all required documents, certificates and qualifications must be provided, and the fee must be paid according to the permit type and the establishment’s classification. Two-year renewals cost AED 250, AED 1,200 or AED 3,450 by category under CR 21/2020.
Late issuance and late renewal attract administrative fines under Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020, and u.ae notes that outstanding fines must be settled before a permit is cancelled. The fine is calculated by the system and shown before payment. Ministerial Resolution No. 46 of 2022 adds two rules employers should know.
- Article 3: when the employer is not treated as late. Seven situations, including a worker who has been outside the UAE for more than six months or whose visa expired abroad; a worker deported by court or administrative order; the worker’s death or a contagious disease preventing work; a complaint referred to court; departure during a settlement period set by the authority; the worker’s imprisonment or detention; and the death of an owner who was the sole manager, for up to three months.
- Article 4: suspension for unpaid fines. An establishment that does not pay permit-delay fines cannot apply for new permits or renewals until it pays. If the fines stay unpaid for more than four months, the suspension extends to all establishments owned by the same violator.
Separately, u.ae says MOHRE may refuse or cancel permits where the establishment breaches the Wage Protection System. The wage escalation steps under MOHRE Resolution 340 of 2026, as reported, are covered in our WPS guide; this guide does not repeat them.
Penalties for employing someone without a work permit
Article 6 of the Labour Law says no one may work in the UAE, and no employer may recruit or employ a worker, without a MOHRE work permit. Article 60 sets the penalties. It was amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024, in force from 31 August 2024, which raised the fines from the previous AED 50,000 to AED 200,000 range.
| Violation (Article 60, as amended) | Fine |
|---|---|
| Employing a worker without a work permit | AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000 |
| Recruiting a worker and not providing them with work | AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000 |
| Using a work permit for a purpose other than the one it was issued for | AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000 |
| Closing the establishment without settling workers’ rights | AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000 |
| Employing a juvenile in breach of the law, or agreeing to do so | AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000 |
| Fictitious employment of citizens to benefit from Emiratisation incentives | AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000, multiplied by the number of workers; incentives must be returned |
Law firm summaries of the 2024 amendment (Al Suwaidi, Clyde and Co) add that an employer may settle before judgment by paying at least half of the minimum fine and returning any incentives. Treat the table as a faithful summary of the consolidated law, not statutory wording.
Using a permit “for a purpose other than the one it was issued for” can include putting someone on the wrong work permit type, or letting them work for a different group company from the one on the permit. Immigration penalties for employing a person with no valid residence are separate; see our guide to ban types in the UAE.
Free zones and domestic workers: outside the MOHRE work permit types
The 13 work permit types above are MOHRE permits for establishments registered with MOHRE, which in practice means mainland companies. Two groups work under different arrangements.
- Free zone employees. Free zone authorities (DMCC, JAFZA, DAFZA, IFZA and others) issue their own employment cards or permits and handle the residence through their own portals. A free zone permit covers work for that free zone establishment; moving to a mainland company requires a new MOHRE permit. See free zone vs mainland and our free zone visa services.
- Domestic workers. Housemaids, drivers, cooks and similar are employed under the separate domestic workers law and MOHRE’s domestic worker services, not these 13 work permit types. See our domestic worker visa service.
Choosing between the types of work permit in UAE hiring: a decision table
Work down the left column to match your situation to one of the work permit types. The first match is normally the right permit.
| Your situation | Permit type | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| The person is a UAE or GCC citizen | UAE/GCC national (or UAE national trainee for a structured traineeship) | Genuine employment only; category fees do not apply |
| The person is abroad and will take an ordinary job | Recruitment from outside the UAE | Quota, category fee, attested certificates |
| The person is abroad and will come for a fixed project | Mission | Three months plus one extension |
| The person works for another UAE mainland employer and is moving to you | Transfer | Old permit must be cancelled first; probation notice rules |
| The person works elsewhere and will also work part-time for you | Part-time work permit | No objection letter from the main employer |
| The person is in the UAE and will do a defined, short task for you | Temporary work permit | Current employer’s approval; granted once |
| The person lives in the UAE on a relative’s visa | Family-sponsored resident | Age 18 or over; residence depends on the sponsor |
| The person holds a Golden visa | Golden visa holder | Do not cancel their residence when the job ends |
| The person is aged 15 to 17 and not a student placement | Juvenile | Six hours a day, no work 7 pm to 7 am |
| The person is a student aged 15 or over on a placement | Student training and employment | Three months; school’s no objection for training |
| The person will work for several clients and be employed by none | Freelance | Needs own residence; no gratuity or ILOE |
| The person will give private lessons | Private teacher | No fee; teachers may not tutor their own school’s students |
Two situations are not on the list because they are not MOHRE permits: hiring in a free zone (the free zone issues its own), and hiring a domestic worker for a household (domestic worker rules apply).
Work permit types myths: what circulates online that is not true
| What you may read | What the official sources say |
|---|---|
| “There are exactly 12 types of work permit in UAE law.” | u.ae (updated 13 August 2026) and MOHRE’s June 2026 announcement list 13. Earlier lists had 11 or 12 depending on the date. |
| “Every work permit lasts two years.” | Juvenile 1 year, student 3 months, mission 3 months extendable once, national trainee 12 months; the part-time work permit 1 year on the card. |
| “Every permit costs AED 250 to AED 3,450.” | The category fee applies to recruitment from abroad, renewals and (per CR 21/2020) transfers. Most in-country work permit types are AED 50 on the service cards; private teacher has no fee. |
| “A family visa holder cannot work without changing to an employment visa.” | The family-sponsored work permit allows work without the employer sponsoring the residence. |
| “Golden visa holders do not need a work permit.” | MOHRE has a specific Golden visa holder work permit. The visa is residence; the permit is the right to work for that employer. |
| “A freelance permit gives you a residence visa.” | It does not. Residence comes separately, for example through a Green visa (which itself requires the MOHRE freelance permit). |
| “Employers can pass the permit fee to the worker.” | Article 6 of the Labour Law prohibits charging the worker recruitment or employment costs. |
| “The fine for employing without a permit is AED 50,000.” | That was the old minimum. Since 31 August 2024 the range is AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000 (Decree-Law 9/2024). |
How to verify every figure (work permit types, UAE)
| What to check | Where | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| The current list of work permit types | u.ae, Work permits page (private sector) | “Types of work permits” and the “last updated” date |
| Conditions, documents, fee and validity for a type | MOHRE services directory, “Issuance of a New Work Permit” cards | Conditions, required documents, fees, service time, validity |
| Category fees | MOHRE classification announcement (1 June 2022); the MOHRE payment screen | AED 250 / 1,200 / 3,450 |
| Your establishment’s category and fines | MOHRE app or website, establishment services; or call 600590000 | Classification, outstanding fines, suspensions |
| The legal basis | uaelegislation.gov.ae: Decree-Law 33/2021, Cabinet Resolution 1/2022 | Article 6 of each; Article 5 (juveniles) and Article 60 (penalties) of the Law |
| Late fines exceptions and suspension | Ministerial Resolution 46/2022 (u.ae assets) | Articles 3 and 4 |
| A worker’s own permit | MOHRE app or inquiry service | Permit type, establishment, occupation, expiry |
Work permit types (UAE) in practice: worked cases
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.
Case 1: the spouse on a family visa
A marketing professional living in Dubai on her husband’s residence visa received an offer from a mainland agency. The agency assumed it had to sponsor her on an employment visa and was about to use one of its last quota slots. We pointed them to the family-sponsored permit: no quota, no entry permit, no residence change. Government cost was AED 50 plus AED 250 on the MOHRE card. The one thing we flagged was that her residence depends on her husband’s visa, so both dates went into the agency’s HR calendar.
Case 2: a part-time work permit for an evening role
An accountant employed full-time by a logistics company wanted to keep the books for a small restaurant two evenings a week. The restaurant applied for a part-time work permit. The file came back once, for a missing no objection letter from the main employer. With the letter, it cleared at AED 50. We noted that the card showed one year’s validity while MOHRE’s June 2026 announcement mentioned two, and diarised the earlier date.
Case 3: the project engineer from abroad
A contracting company needed a commissioning engineer from Europe for ten weeks. It first planned a standard recruitment permit at its category 2 fee of AED 1,200 plus AED 50. The work had a clear end date, so a mission permit (three months, extendable once) was the correct type. The company still needed quota, and the payment screen showed the fee to be paid. The engineer left when the project finished, and the permit was closed.
Case 4: the summer student
A retail chain offered a six-week summer placement to a 16-year-old student. We used the student training and employment permit (three months) with the guardian’s consent, a medical fitness certificate and the school’s no objection. The store manager’s first rota had the student closing at 10 pm, which breaks Article 5’s 7 pm to 7 am rule for juveniles. The rota was changed before the start date.
Case 5: the Golden visa holder changing jobs
A senior engineer with a Golden visa left one company and joined another. The first employer’s HR team started to cancel his residence as well as the work permit. Only the MOHRE permit needed cancelling; the Golden residence is self-sponsored. The new employer then applied for a Golden visa holder work permit at AED 50, and his residence was untouched.
Case 6: a temporary work permit during a labour case
A driver whose employer had stopped paying wages filed a MOHRE complaint, which was referred to court. He had an offer from another company and asked whether he had to wait for the judgment. Under Ministerial Resolution 47 of 2022, Article 3(d), a worker with a pending case can be given a temporary work permit, provided no work-abandonment report has been filed against him. The new company applied for the temporary work permit with the court document instead of the old employer’s approval, at AED 50, and he started work while the case continued.
What we will and will not do
We will choose the permit type with you from the facts, check the establishment and the candidate before anything is submitted, prepare and file the application on MOHRE’s channels, pass on government fees at cost with receipts, keep track of short-validity permits, and tell you when your HR team can do it without us.
We will not put a worker on a permit type that does not match the real arrangement, suggest anyone starts work before the permit is issued, arrange fictitious Emiratisation hires, promise an approval that only MOHRE decides, or quote our fee before seeing the file.
Related guides
- MOHRE labour card guide: what the card shows and how to download or check it
- UAE employment visa cost breakdown: MOHRE, GDRFA, ICP, medical and Emirates ID fees together
- Employment contract types under MOHRE
- How to cancel an employment visa
- UAE labour ban explained
- What is MOHRE
- Probation period under UAE labour law
- Golden visa vs Green visa
- UAE visa types
- ILOE insurance: who must subscribe
Work permit types UAE: frequently asked questions
How many work permit types does the UAE have?
MOHRE and u.ae currently list 13 work permit types: recruitment from abroad, transfer, family-sponsored resident, temporary, mission, part-time, juvenile, student training and employment, UAE/GCC national, Golden visa holder, UAE national trainee, freelance and private teacher. The Executive Regulation (Cabinet Resolution 1 of 2022, Article 6(1)) lists 12; MOHRE and u.ae list 13 because they also show the private teacher permit, added by Ministerial Resolution No. 710 of 2023.
How long is a UAE work permit valid?
Most work permit types are valid for two years. MOHRE’s cards give one year for juvenile permits, three months for student permits, three months (extendable once) for mission permits and 12 months for UAE national trainees. The part-time work permit card says one year, while MOHRE’s June 2026 announcement lists two; check the issued permit.
How much does a work permit cost in the UAE?
For recruitment from abroad, AED 50 plus AED 250, AED 1,200 or AED 3,450 for two years, depending on the establishment’s MOHRE category. Most in-country work permit types, including the temporary work permit and the part-time work permit, show a flat AED 50. The private teacher permit has no fee. Business centres may add up to AED 72.
What is a part-time work permit in the UAE?
A part-time work permit lets a MOHRE-registered establishment employ a resident on a part-time contract, with fewer hours or days than full-time staff. The worker needs a valid residence visa and, if already employed, a no objection letter from the main employer. The Executive Regulation allows work for more than one employer with MOHRE’s permission. The fee is AED 50.
What is a temporary work permit in the UAE?
A temporary work permit covers a worker already in the UAE who completes a specific task within a limited period. MOHRE requires the current employer’s approval, except during a pending labour case, grants it only once and charges AED 50. It is also how a worker in a labour dispute can work elsewhere while the case continues.
Can I work in the UAE on my husband’s or father’s visa?
Yes, once your employer obtains a work permit for family-sponsored residents. Your residence stays with your family sponsor, and the employer needs no quota and does not sponsor your visa. You must be 18 or over and hold a valid family residence. The visa alone does not let you start work.
Do Golden visa holders need a work permit?
Yes, to work for a mainland employer. The Golden visa is a self-sponsored residence; it does not authorise employment with a particular company. MOHRE’s Golden visa holder permit is valid for two years with an AED 50 fee. When the job ends, only the permit is cancelled.
What is the difference between a freelance permit and a Green visa?
A freelance permit is the right to work independently; a Green visa is a five-year self-sponsored residence. Freelancers applying for the Green visa need a MOHRE freelance permit, a bachelor’s degree or specialised diploma, and freelance income of at least AED 360,000 a year over the previous two years, or proof of financial solvency (Abu Dhabi Residents Office).
Can a 15-year-old work in the UAE?
Yes, on a juvenile work permit (15 to under 18, one year) or a student training and employment permit (15 and over, three months). Article 5 of the Labour Law requires guardian consent and a medical certificate, caps work at six hours a day, bans work from 7 pm to 7 am, and bans overtime and dangerous work.
What is the fine for employing someone without a work permit?
Article 60 of the Labour Law, as amended by Decree-Law 9 of 2024 from 31 August 2024, sets AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000. The same range applies to using a permit for a purpose other than the one issued, recruiting a worker and not giving them work, and employing juveniles unlawfully.
Can MIRDXB PRO apply for a work permit for my company?
Yes. We choose the right MOHRE work permit type with you, check the licence, quota and classification, prepare the job offer and documents, and submit under your authorised signatory. For hires from abroad we continue to the residence at GDRFA or ICP. Government fees are passed on at cost, and our fee is quoted in writing before we start.
I am an employee. Can MIRDXB PRO check which work permit I am on?
Yes. Send us your MOHRE details or labour card and we will read the permit type, the establishment named on it, your registered occupation and the expiry date, and tell you whether it matches your real job. If something is wrong we explain the options, including when a MOHRE complaint is better. Our fee is quoted in writing first. File check AED 100 (5% VAT included), credited to your fee if you go ahead.
Can I have a part-time work permit and a full-time job at the same time?
Yes. The Executive Regulation lets a part-time worker work for more than one employer with MOHRE’s permission, and the part-time work permit card asks for a no objection letter from your current employer. Your residence stays with your main sponsor. Check your main contract for exclusivity or conflict-of-interest clauses first.
Choosing work permit types, renewing them on time and keeping a company’s MOHRE file clean is what our PRO services in Dubai team handles.
This guide was rewritten and re-verified against MOHRE service cards, u.ae and UAE legislation. Earlier versions said most permits run two years with only the juvenile and student permits as exceptions; MOHRE’s cards also give three months (extendable once) for mission permits, 12 months for UAE national trainees and one year for the part-time work permit. The fee section previously gave only the category fees; most in-country work permit types show a flat AED 50 on MOHRE’s cards, and the private teacher permit has no fee. We added the Article 60 fines as amended by Decree-Law 9 of 2024 (AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000), the juvenile working-hours rules, the late-fine exceptions and suspension rule in Ministerial Resolution 46 of 2022, and explained why lists show 11, 12 or 13 work permit types. We removed a description of the wage-payment escalation timetable that was based on MOHRE Resolution 598 of 2022, which was reported replaced by Resolution 340 of 2026 from 1 June 2026.
- The Official Platform of the UAE Government: Work permits (updated 13 August 2026)
- MOHRE: Issuance of a New Work Permit, Overseas
- MOHRE: Transfer Work Permit
- MOHRE: Dependents Sponsored by Family Members
- MOHRE: Temporary Work Permits
- MOHRE: Mission Work Permit
- MOHRE: Part-Time Work Permit
- MOHRE: Juvenile Work Permit
- MOHRE: Training and Work Permit for Students
- MOHRE: Work Permits of Golden Visa Holders
- MOHRE: Work Permit for UAE-National Trainees
- MOHRE: New classification of private companies comes into force (1 June 2022)
- MOHRE: Private teacher work permit introduced (18 December 2023)
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (Articles 5, 6 and 60, as amended)
- Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, Executive Regulation (Article 6)
- Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020 on MOHRE service fees and administrative fines
- Ministerial Resolution No. 46 of 2022 on work permits, job offers and employment contract forms
- ICP: Green residence guide
- Abu Dhabi Residents Office: Green visa for freelancers
- Gulf News (secondary): MOHRE upgrades work permits, 13 types, June 2026
- Gulf News (secondary): the 12 permits MOHRE listed, 25 January 2026
- Gulf News (secondary): private tutor permit rules, September 2025
- Clyde and Co (secondary): amendments to Articles 54 and 60, September 2024
Please note. This guide sets out the work permit types, conditions, validity periods and fees published by MOHRE, the UAE government portal and UAE legislation, verified 23 September 2026. MOHRE announced a redesign of its work permit services in June 2026 and some service cards may not yet reflect it; where sources differ (for example the part-time work permit validity, and transfer and mission fees), both are shown, and the MOHRE application and payment screen is final. The cases are built from common situations and are illustrative, not records of named clients. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
