Steps to Issue a Work Permit in Dubai for Employers and Employees

In Dubai, a work permit is granted under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (UAE Labour Law) and the applicable resolutions of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), allowing a foreign national to work for a designated employer and to obtain a residence visa.

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WHAT IS THE LEGAL BASIS FOR ISSUING A WORK PERMIT IN DUBAI?

The UAE Labour Law requires every employer who wishes to employ a foreign worker to first obtain a work permit from MOHRE before the employee can enter the UAE or commence employment. The law stipulates that the permit is tied to a specific job offer, a valid employer trade licence, and compliance with quota and Emiratisation requirements where applicable. The procedure is governed by Ministerial Decision No. 764 of 2015 concerning the issuance of work permits and subsequent amendments, which detail the application steps, required documents, and fees.

HOW DOES AN EMPLOYER APPLY FOR A WORK PERMIT FOR A NEW EMPLOYEE?

Short answer: The employer submits an online request through the MOHRE portal, attaches the signed employment contract, a copy of the employee's passport, a passport-size photograph, proof of the employer's trade licence, and pays the prescribed fee; MOHRE then issues the permit within five working days if all requirements are met.

Development:

1. Job offer and contract: The employer must prepare a written employment contract in Arabic (or a bilingual version) that complies with the standard MOHRE template. The contract must specify the job title, duties, place of work, basic wage, allowances, probation period, and duration.
2. Employer eligibility: The employer's trade licence must be active and issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai or the relevant free-zone authority. The licence must cover the activity for which the employee is hired.
3. Online application: The employer logs into the MOHRE e-services system, selects "New Work Permit," fills in the employer's establishment details, the employee's personal information, and uploads the required documents:

• Signed employment contract (Arabic version)
• Employee's passport copy (valid for at least six months)
• Passport-size photograph with white background
• Copy of the employer's trade licence
• Proof of payment of the work permit fee (see fee schedule below)

1. Fee payment: The fee varies according to the employee's skill level, the employer's classification, and the quota category. As of 2024, the standard fee for a Level 2 (skilled) worker in a Category A establishment is AED 250; for Level 3 (service) workers it is AED 1,200; for Level 4 (labour) workers it is AED 5,000. Employers can pay via the MOHRE payment gateway using a credit card or bank transfer.
2. Processing time: MOHRE aims to process complete applications within five working days. If additional information is required, the system issues a notification and the employer has three days to respond.
3. Permit issuance: Upon approval, MOHRE issues an electronic work permit card that displays the permit number, validity period (usually two years, renewable), and the employer's details. The employee can then proceed to obtain an entry permit (if outside the UAE) or adjust status (if already in the country) and subsequently apply for a residence visa and Emirates ID.

WHAT STEPS MUST AN EMPLOYEE TAKE AFTER RECEIVING THE WORK PERMIT?

Short answer: The employee uses the approved work permit to apply for an entry permit (if abroad) or to adjust status (if already in the UAE), then undergoes medical fitness testing, applies for a residence visa, and finally registers for an Emirates ID and labour card.

Development:

1. Entry permit: If the employee is outside the UAE, the employer submits an entry permit request through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) using the approved work permit as reference. The entry permit is typically valid for 60 days and allows a single entry.
2. Travel and arrival: The employee travels to Dubai and presents the entry permit at immigration. Upon arrival, a 30-day temporary visit visa is stamped in the passport, permitting the employee to remain while the residence visa is processed.
3. Medical fitness test: Within the validity of the entry permit, the employee must undergo a medical examination at an approved health centre in Dubai. The test screens for communicable diseases (HIV, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and syphilis). A fitness certificate is issued if the results are negative.
4. Residence visa application: The employer (or the employee's sponsor) submits a residence visa request to GDRFA, attaching the work permit, medical fitness certificate, passport copy, and passport-size photographs. The residence visa is usually issued for two years, matching the work permit validity, and allows multiple entries.
5. Emirates ID registration: After the residence visa is stamped, the employee visits the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) to enrol biometrics and receive the Emirates ID. The ID is linked to the residence visa and is required for opening bank accounts, signing tenancy contracts, and accessing government services.
6. Labour card: Simultaneously with the residence visa, MOHRE issues a labour card that confirms the employee's legal status to work in the UAE. The labour card must be carried at all times while employed and presented upon request by labour inspectors.

WHAT ARE THE COSTS INVOLVED IN OBTAINING A WORK PERMIT IN DUBAI?

Short answer: The employer pays the work permit fee (ranging from AED 250 to AED 5,000 depending on skill level and establishment category), the employee bears the medical test fee (approximately AED 320), and both parties may incur additional charges for entry permits, visa stamping, and Emirates ID processing (typically AED 100-AED 300 each).

Development:

• Work permit fee: Set by Ministerial Decision No. 764 of 2015 and updated annually. The fee schedule distinguishes four skill levels (Level 1: investors/partners, Level 2: professionals, Level 3: technicians, Level 4: skilled labour) and three establishment categories (A, B, C) based on compliance with Emiratisation and quota requirements. Example fees for 2024: Level 2, Category A - AED 250; Level 3, Category B - AED 1,200; Level 4, Category C - AED 5,000.
• Medical fitness test: Conducted by DHA-approved centres; the standard fee is AED 320, payable by the employee or the employer as agreed in the contract.
• Entry permit: If required, the fee is AED 220 for a single-entry permit, payable by the employer.
• Residence visa stamping: Charged by GDRFA at AED 300 for a two-year visa, plus AED 100 for each additional year if extended.
• Emirates ID: The ICA charges AED 100 for one-year validity, AED 200 for two years, and AED 300 for three years, with optional urgent service adding AED 100.
• Labour card: Issued free of charge with the work permit; replacement cards cost AED 100.

Employers should budget for these costs and clarify in the employment contract which party bears each expense to avoid disputes.

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR A WORK PERMIT APPLICATION?

Short answer: The employer must submit the signed employment contract, employee's passport copy, passport-size photograph, copy of the employer's trade licence, and proof of fee payment; additional documents such as a professional qualification certificate or a no-objection certificate may be needed for certain professions.

Development:

• Employment contract: Must be in Arabic (or a bilingual Arabic-English version) and adhere to the MOHRE standard template. It should detail basic wage, allowances, job description, place of work, probation period, and contract duration.
• Employee passport: Copy of the bio-data page; the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of intended entry.
• Passport-size photograph: Recent image with white background, dimensions 4 x 6 cm.
• Employer trade licence: Valid licence issued by DED (for mainland companies) or the relevant free-zone authority; the licence must expressly cover the business activity for which the employee is hired.
• Fee payment receipt: Generated automatically upon online payment through the MOHRE portal.
• Professional qualifications: For occupations classified as Level 2 (e.g., engineers, teachers, medical professionals), attested copies of degrees or professional licences may be required.
• No-objection certificate (NOC): If the employee is currently sponsored by another UAE employer, a NOC from the current sponsor is mandatory before a new work permit can be issued.
• Health insurance proof: While not part of the permit application, the employer must provide proof of health insurance coverage compliant with Dubai Health Insurance Law No. 11 of 2013 before the residence visa is finalised.

All documents must be clear, legible, and uploaded in PDF or JPEG format not exceeding 2 MB each.

HOW LONG DOES A WORK PERMIT REMAIN VALID AND HOW IS IT RENEWED?

Short answer: A standard work permit is valid for two years from the date of issuance and can be renewed for additional two-year periods provided the employer's trade licence remains active, the employee continues to meet the skill-level criteria, and the renewal fee is paid.

Development:

• Initial validity: The permit's start date is the date of approval by MOHRE; the expiry date is exactly 24 months later, unless the contract specifies a shorter term.
• Renewal timeline: Employers should initiate the renewal process at least 30 days before the current permit expires to avoid gaps in legal status.
• Renewal procedure: The employer logs into the MOHRE portal, selects "Renew Work Permit," verifies that the employment contract is still in force (or uploads a renewed contract), confirms that the trade licence is valid, and pays the renewal fee (identical to the initial fee for the same skill level and category).
• Required documents: Updated passport copy (if the passport has been renewed), a recent photograph, and proof of continued health insurance coverage.
• Outcome: Upon approval, MOHRE issues a renewed electronic work permit card with a new expiry date. The employee's residence visa and Emirates ID must also be renewed accordingly; the visa renewal is processed through GDRFA using the updated work permit as reference.
• Consequences of non-renewal: If the permit expires without renewal, the employee's residence visa becomes invalid, and the individual must exit the UAE within the grace period (typically 30 days) or risk fines, deportation, and a possible ban on re-entry.

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR EMPLOYING A WORKER WITHOUT A VALID WORK PERMIT?

Short answer: Employers who hire foreign nationals without a valid work permit face fines of up to AED 50,000 per employee, possible suspension of the company's trade licence, and criminal liability under the UAE Labour Law; employees may be subject to deportation and a re-entry ban.

Development:

• Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 6: Requires every employer to obtain a work permit before employing a foreign worker. Violation is punishable by a fine of not less than AED 5,000 and not more than AED 50,000 per worker.
• Article 60: Specifies that repeated offences may lead to the temporary suspension or cancellation of the employer's trade licence by the DED or the relevant free-zone authority.
• Criminal liability: In cases where the employment is deemed to constitute human trafficking or illegal labour supply, the Public Prosecution may bring criminal charges, resulting in imprisonment and additional fines.
• Employee consequences: Workers found to be employed without a permit are considered illegal residents. They may be detained, fined, deported, and barred from re-entering the UAE for a period ranging from one to five years, depending on the severity of the violation.
• Employer defences: The employer can demonstrate that a valid work permit application was submitted and is pending approval, provided that the employee did not commence work before the permit was issued. However, mere submission does not excuse actual employment without the permit.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the difference between a work permit and a labour card?
A work permit is the authorisation granted by MOHRE that allows a foreign national to take up employment with a specific employer. The labour card is the physical or electronic document issued concurrently with the work permit that confirms the employee's legal status to work and must be carried while employed. Both are linked; the labour card cannot exist without an approved work permit.

Can an employee change employers while the work permit is still valid?
Yes, an employee may transfer to a new employer under Article 12 of the UAE Labour Law, provided the current employer issues a no-objection certificate, the new employer obtains a fresh work permit, and the employee's residence visa is transferred accordingly. The process must be completed before the employee begins work for the new employer to avoid illegal employment.

Is there a quota or Emiratisation requirement that affects work permit issuance?
Certain establishment categories (particularly Category C) are subject to Emiratisation quotas under Ministerial Decision No. 276 of 2020. If an employer fails to meet the prescribed percentage of UAE nationals in its workforce, MOHRE may restrict or deny new work permit applications for foreign workers until compliance is achieved. Employers should monitor their Emiratisation status through the MOHRE portal.

What happens if an employee's passport expires while the work permit is still valid?
The work permit remains tied to the passport number presented at the time of application. If the passport is renewed, the employee must submit a copy of the new passport to MOHRE to update the work permit records; otherwise, the permit may be considered mismatched, leading to potential issues during visa renewal or labour inspections.

Are there any exemptions from the work permit requirement for specific professions?
Certain categories, such as GCC nationals, investors holding a partner licence, and individuals employed under specific free-zone regimes that issue their own employment authorisations, may be exempt from the standard MOHRE work permit. However, these exemptions are narrowly defined and require proof of eligibility; employers should verify with the relevant free-zone authority or MOHRE before assuming exemption.

How does the Wage Protection System (WPS) relate to the work permit?
Once a work permit is issued and the employee commences employment, the employer must register the employee's salary details with the WPS and pay wages through approved banks or exchange houses. Failure to comply with WPS requirements can result in fines and may affect the renewal of the work permit and residence visa.

This article provides general information about the procedural framework for obtaining a work permit in Dubai under UAE law. It does not constitute legal advice for any particular situation.

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