Getting a Work Permit from MOHRE in the UAE

Researched from official sources ยท May 11, 2026

Getting a Work Permit from MOHRE in the UAE

Estimated time

Typically 5-10 working days from MOHRE work-permit application to employment-contract issuance; varies by sponsoring entity and worker classification.

Cost

ุฏ.ุฅ250-3,450 by worker classification โ€” employer-paid

What You Need

Tap to check off items as you gather them

Additional Items

  • Photograph compliant with passport standards โ€” biometric photograph for the employment-contract record.
  • Medical fitness certificate โ€” required for the residence-visa application, sequenced after the work-permit issuance.
  • Health insurance policy โ€” purchased by your employer; federal-mandate prerequisite for residence-permit issuance since 1 January 2025.
  • Bank account IBAN โ€” once issued, provide to your employer for WPS registration; required for private-sector salary credits.
Last checked 1 month ago

Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Receive and Sign the Job Offer Letter

    1. Your prospective employer issues a signed job offer letter detailing the role, salary, contract duration, and benefits.
    2. Review the offer carefully โ€” once registered with MOHRE, the terms become legally binding.
    3. Sign and return the offer letter to your employer.

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: If material terms differ from what was discussed during recruitment, negotiate revisions before signing. The job offer letter is the basis for the employment contract that MOHRE registers.

  2. 2

    Your Employer Applies to MOHRE for the Work Permit

    1. Your employer submits the work-permit application through MOHRE's portal or via a Tasheel service centre.
    2. MOHRE classifies the worker (skill levels 1-5) based on job role and educational credentials.
    3. Work-permit fees are paid by the employer (AED 250-3,450 depending on classification, plus AED 100 Tasheel fee if applicable).

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Tasheel is MOHRE's network of authorised service centres. Some employers use Tasheel; others submit online directly. The choice does not affect your application but may affect turnaround time.

    u.ae โ€” Job offers and work permits (u.ae โ†—)
  3. 3

    Receive the Entry Permit (if outside UAE)

    1. Once MOHRE issues the work permit, your employer applies for an entry permit on your behalf via ICP.
    2. The entry permit is sent to you electronically โ€” typically as an email PDF or via the ICP smart services notification.
    3. Travel to the UAE on the entry permit. The 60-day window to complete the residence-visa procedure starts on the date you enter the UAE.

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Plan to attend the medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometric capture in your first 2-3 weeks in the UAE โ€” see the residence visa guide for the 60-day window.

    u.ae โ€” Expatriates employment in private sector (u.ae โ†—)
  4. 4

    Sign the Employment Contract

    1. Once you arrive in the UAE, your employer presents the employment contract for signature.
    2. Verify that the contract terms match the job offer letter you signed.
    3. Sign the contract โ€” MOHRE registers it under the Labour Relations Law.

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: The employment contract typically specifies probation period, working hours, leave entitlement, and end-of-service benefits. Read carefully โ€” material terms here are legally binding.

    u.ae โ€” Employment contracts duration and models (u.ae โ†—)
  5. 5

    Provide IBAN for WPS Salary Credits

    1. Open a UAE bank account once you have your Emirates ID โ€” see the bank-account guide.
    2. Provide your account's IBAN to your employer's HR/payroll team.
    3. Your employer registers the IBAN with MOHRE under the Wage Protection System.
    4. Confirm the first salary credit lands successfully โ€” banks send an SMS on WPS-flagged credits.

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: WPS registration is the employer's responsibility, not yours. If your first salary does not credit, escalate to your employer's HR โ€” they must complete the WPS registration.

  6. 6

    Maintain Your Work-Permit Status

    1. Your work permit and residence visa renew together at the end of the 2-year cycle โ€” your employer initiates both.
    2. If you want to change employer, your current employer cancels the labour contract and work permit through MOHRE; your new employer initiates a new work-permit application.
    3. If you leave the UAE permanently, your employer cancels the work permit and residence visa; you sign the cancellation application.

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Standard workers receive a 30-day grace period at residence-visa cancellation to complete sponsorship transfer or exit. Skilled workers in levels 1-3 receive 90 days. Plan transitions accordingly.

    u.ae โ€” MOHRE service centres for workers and employers (u.ae โ†—)

Local Tips from the Community

  • Your work permit (ยซุชุตุฑูŠุญ ุนู…ู„ยป) is initiated by your employer through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). You do not apply for it directly โ€” your role is to provide documents the employer requests and to sign the employment contract.
  • The MOHRE work permit is the federal-level employment authorisation. It is separate from your residence visa, but the two are sequenced โ€” work permit first, then residence-permit application via ICP. MOHRE's primary site (mohre.gov.ae) is geo-restricted; the federal aggregator u.ae mirrors the substantive procedural content.
  • The Wage Protection System (WPS) is a federal monitoring system that ensures timely salary payments. Your employer must register your bank account IBAN with MOHRE under WPS before the first salary credit.

What Could Go Wrong

Sign the job offer letter: Terms in the offer letter differ from what was discussed during recruitment

Recovery: Negotiate revisions before signing โ€” once the offer is registered with MOHRE, the terms become legally binding. The job offer letter is the basis for the employment contract; do not sign if material terms are inaccurate.

Wait for MOHRE work-permit approval: Your sponsoring entity's MOHRE registration is incomplete or suspended

Recovery: Confirm with your employer's HR team that the sponsoring entity is in good standing with MOHRE. MOHRE suspension can occur for non-payment of fees or for labour-law violations. Resolution typically requires the employer to clear outstanding issues with MOHRE.

Sign the employment contract: Employer-provided contract terms differ from the job offer letter

Recovery: MOHRE requires the employment contract to match the job offer letter. If material terms differ, refuse to sign โ€” once the contract is registered, changes require formal MOHRE-approved amendments.

Initiate WPS salary credits: WPS registration fails โ€” IBAN not linked to MOHRE

Recovery: WPS registration is the employer's responsibility. Provide the IBAN of your salary account to your employer's HR/payroll team. Escalate via the employer's HR if WPS registration is delayed beyond your contractual start date.

Cancel the work permit when leaving employer: Employer drags out the cancellation, blocking your sponsorship transfer or exit

Recovery: Per u.ae employment-in-private-sector cancellation procedure, the employer must apply to MOHRE with a labour-contract cancellation form signed by you, plus a letter confirming all wages and end-of-service benefits have been paid. If the employer delays unfairly, MOHRE provides labour-dispute resolution channels โ€” file via MOHRE's complaint platform.

Costs

Item Amount Payment Notes
Work-permit fee (entry-level worker, MOHRE skill level 4-5) ุฏ.ุฅ250 Per work-permit application โ€” employer-paid Quoted figure is the lower end of MOHRE's classification range. Actual fee depends on worker category and skill level.
Work-permit fee (skilled worker, MOHRE skill levels 1-3) ุฏ.ุฅ1,500 Representative mid-range fee โ€” employer-paid Mid-range representative figure within MOHRE's classification framework.
Work-permit fee (specialist or executive) ุฏ.ุฅ3,450 Upper end of MOHRE's classification range โ€” employer-paid Upper end of MOHRE's published fee range for specialist or executive classifications.
Tasheel service-centre fee (typing) ุฏ.ุฅ100 Per application at a Tasheel service centre โ€” additive, employer-paid Tasheel is MOHRE's network of authorised service centres for typing and document submission. Most employers use Tasheel; some submit online directly via MOHRE's portal.
Work-permit fee (entry-level worker, MOHRE skill level 4-5) ุฏ.ุฅ250
Payment:
Per work-permit application โ€” employer-paid
Notes:
Quoted figure is the lower end of MOHRE's classification range. Actual fee depends on worker category and skill level.
Work-permit fee (skilled worker, MOHRE skill levels 1-3) ุฏ.ุฅ1,500
Payment:
Representative mid-range fee โ€” employer-paid
Notes:
Mid-range representative figure within MOHRE's classification framework.
Work-permit fee (specialist or executive) ุฏ.ุฅ3,450
Payment:
Upper end of MOHRE's classification range โ€” employer-paid
Notes:
Upper end of MOHRE's published fee range for specialist or executive classifications.
Tasheel service-centre fee (typing) ุฏ.ุฅ100
Payment:
Per application at a Tasheel service centre โ€” additive, employer-paid
Notes:
Tasheel is MOHRE's network of authorised service centres for typing and document submission. Most employers use Tasheel; some submit online directly via MOHRE's portal.
Total: ุฏ.ุฅ5,300

FAQ

Documents

What's the difference between a work permit and an employment contract?

The work permit is the federal-level authorisation issued by MOHRE that allows your employer to employ you. The employment contract is the underlying agreement between you and your employer, registered with MOHRE under the Labour Relations Law. Both are issued together โ€” the work permit cannot exist without a registered employment contract.

What is Wage Protection System (WPS)?

WPS is a federal MOHRE system that monitors timely salary payments for private-sector employees. Your employer credits your salary to a bank account you nominate, and the bank confirms the credit to MOHRE. WPS linkage is required for private-sector salary credits. Your employer initiates the WPS registration; you provide your bank account IBAN.

How is my skill level classified?

MOHRE classifies workers into skill levels (1-5) based on job role, educational credentials, and salary band. Level 1-3 are skilled workers (engineers, professionals, specialists); levels 4-5 are general or entry-level workers. Classification affects work-permit fees and grace-period rules at residence-visa cancellation.

What happens to my work permit if I want to change employer?

Sponsorship transfer requires MOHRE approval. Your current employer cancels the labour contract and work permit through MOHRE; your new employer applies for a new work permit on your behalf. Skilled workers in levels 1-3 receive a 90-day grace period to complete the transfer; standard workers receive a 30-day grace period.

Can I work part-time on a MOHRE work permit?

Part-time work permits exist under MOHRE's flexible work-permit framework. Discuss with your employer whether your role is eligible. Part-time work permits are a separate classification from full-time standard work permits.

Costs

What is Tasheel?

Tasheel is MOHRE's network of authorised service centres for typing and document submission. Many employers use Tasheel for work-permit applications, employment-contract printing, and related paperwork. The fee is typically AED 100 per application (employer-paid).

After This Process

  • โ†’ Residence visa โ€” your work permit is the prerequisite; see the UAE residence visa guide for the 60-day window and the residence-permit issuance procedure.
  • โ†’ Emirates ID โ€” issued together with your residence visa; see the Emirates ID guide for the biometric appointment.
  • โ†’ Bank account โ€” required for WPS salary credits; see the UAE bank-account guide.
  • โ†’ Mandatory health insurance โ€” federal prerequisite for residence-permit issuance since 1 January 2025; see the DHA health insurance guide.

Sources

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  1. T1
    u.ae โ€” UAE Government Portal 2026-05-11

    The u.ae aggregator Work permits page documents the MOHRE work-permit procedure for private-sector employment. It establishes that the employer initiates the work permit through MOHRE or Tasheel service centres, the work-permit-fees by classification (AED 250-3,450), and the requirement that a registered employment contract follow the work-permit issuance. The MOHRE primary site (mohre.gov.ae) is geo-restricted; u.ae carries the substantive procedural content per gov.ae federal-services architecture.

    u.ae
  2. T1
    u.ae โ€” UAE Government Portal 2026-05-11

    The u.ae Expatriates Employment in Private Sector page documents the full sequencing: job offer letter โ†’ MOHRE work permit โ†’ entry permit (issued through ICP for non-Dubai employers, GDRFA for Dubai-employer-sponsored) โ†’ employment contract registration โ†’ residence-visa application. It also documents the role of MOHRE-licensed service centres in processing applications.

    u.ae
  3. T1
    u.ae โ€” UAE Government Portal 2026-05-11

    The u.ae Employment Contracts Duration and Models page documents the standard employment-contract framework under the MOHRE Labour Relations Law: typical 2-year duration matching the standard work visa, probation provisions, working hours, leave entitlement, and end-of-service benefits. The contract is registered with MOHRE under the Labour Relations Law upon work-permit issuance.

    u.ae
  4. T1
    u.ae โ€” UAE Government Portal 2026-05-11

    The u.ae MOHRE Service Centres page documents the Tasheel network โ€” MOHRE's authorised typing service centres processing work-permit applications, employment contracts, and related paperwork on behalf of employers. Tasheel fees are typically AED 100 per application, additive to the MOHRE work-permit fee.

    u.ae
  5. T1
    u.ae โ€” UAE Government Portal 2026-05-11

    The u.ae eServices for Jobs page documents the digital channels for MOHRE-related services: work-permit applications, employment-contract registration, labour-contract cancellation, and complaint filing. Most MOHRE eServices are accessible via UAE Pass login through MOHRE's authorised channels.

    u.ae
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