If you work in the UAE, sooner or later you will need a copy of your employment documents — for a bank loan, a visa renewal, a new job, or an attestation request. Learning how to download employment documents properly saves you trips to HR and hours in government queues. Most of what you need is available online through official portals or directly from your employer, and the process is straightforward once you know where each document lives.
This guide walks you through downloading the main employment documents used in the UAE: your employment contract, salary certificate, labour card, Emirates ID-linked records, and experience letters. It covers the official channels, what you need before you start, and how to fix common problems when a download fails.
Quick Answer
You can download employment documents in the UAE through three main channels: the MOHRE app or website (mohre.gov.ae) for your employment contract and labour-related records, your employer’s HR department or employee self-service portal for salary certificates and experience letters, and free zone authority portals (such as DIFC, DMCC, or JAFZA portals) if you work in a free zone. You will usually need your Emirates ID or labour card number to log in, and documents are generally issued as downloadable PDFs.
Which Employment Documents Can You Download?
Before you start clicking around, it helps to know exactly which document you need, because each one comes from a different place. The most commonly requested employment documents in the UAE are:
- Employment contract — your signed labour contract registered with MOHRE (mainland/private sector) or your free zone authority. Banks and visa authorities frequently ask for a copy.
- Salary certificate — issued by your employer, showing your monthly salary and position. Banks almost always require one for loans and credit cards. Our UAE salary certificate guide explains what it contains and how it is used.
- Labour card / work permit details — proof of your employment registration with MOHRE. Most of this information is available through the MOHRE app.
- Experience or employment letter — issued by your current or former employer, confirming your role and period of employment.
- End-of-service documents — final settlement letters and gratuity calculations when you leave a job. See our guide to end-of-service gratuity for what to expect.
For a full rundown of every document type and when each is needed, read our complete guide to employment certificates. If you are gathering papers for a specific application, our employment document checklist helps you make sure nothing is missing.
What You Need Before You Start
Most official portals ask for the same basic details before they will show you your documents. Gather these first:
- Emirates ID number — the main identifier across UAE government services. If your ID is up for renewal, our Emirates ID renewal guide covers the current process.
- Labour card number or personal number — found on your work permit paperwork or the MOHRE app.
- Registered mobile number — portals often send a one-time password (OTP) to the number registered with MOHRE or your employer.
- Passport number — sometimes required as a second identifier.
- A PDF reader and secure storage — downloads are typically PDFs; save them somewhere backed up and password-protected.
How to Download Employment Documents: Official Channels
The right channel depends on who issued the document. Here is where each one lives.
MOHRE App and Website
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) is the main source for mainland private-sector employment records. Through the MOHRE services portal, you can view and download your registered employment contract and work permit details. Log in with your UAE PASS account, Emirates ID, or labour card number. Once logged in, look for the employment contract or work permit sections — the contract is usually available as a downloadable PDF you can print or save.
The MOHRE mobile app offers the same services and is often the fastest option if you are away from a computer. Make sure your registered mobile number is current, because OTP verification goes to that number. If you have trouble getting in, our guide to common employment certificate problems covers the most frequent login and access issues.
Your Employer’s HR Department or Self-Service Portal
Salary certificates, experience letters, and NOC letters come from your employer, not the government. Many mid-size and large companies in the UAE have employee self-service portals where you can download these directly. Check your company’s HR system first — it is usually the fastest route.
If your company has no self-service portal, you will need to request the document from HR by email or in person. Ask specifically for a digitally signed copy if possible, since many banks and authorities now accept stamped and signed PDF versions without requiring a physical original. Keep a copy of every request and the response.
Free Zone Authority Portals
If you work in a free zone — DMCC, DIFC, JAFZA, DAFZA, or one of the many others — your employment records sit with the zone authority rather than MOHRE. Each free zone runs its own portal where employees can access contracts and permits. Log in with the credentials your HR team provided when you were hired, and look for the employment or visa services section. If you cannot find the portal link, ask your HR department; they deal with this daily.
Government Employee Channels
UAE government employees (federal or local government) download employment documents through their entity’s HR system or the relevant government HR portal, such as the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) systems for federal employees. These documents usually carry an official stamp or digital signature from the employing entity.
Step-by-Step: Downloading Your Employment Contract from MOHRE
The employment contract is the document people download most often. Here is the typical process through the MOHRE website:
- Open the MOHRE services portal in your browser.
- Log in using UAE PASS, your Emirates ID number, or your labour card number with OTP verification.
- Navigate to the employment contract or work permit section of your dashboard.
- Select the contract you need (if you have had more than one employer, older contracts may be listed too).
- Download the PDF and save it with a clear filename, such as employment-contract-2026.pdf.
- Check the downloaded file opens correctly and shows your name, job title, salary, and contract dates.
If the portal shows no contract, it usually means your employer has not completed the registration, or your record is under a free zone authority instead. Confirm with HR which authority holds your file, and cross-check that the data on file matches your actual records before downloading.
Downloading Salary Certificates and Experience Letters
These are employer-issued, so the process is different:
- Log in to your company’s employee self-service portal, if one exists.
- Look for sections labelled “My Documents,” “HR Letters,” or “Certificates.”
- Select the letter type you need and submit the request — some portals generate the letter instantly, others send it to HR for approval first.
- Download the signed PDF once it is ready, and check that the salary figure, job title, and dates are correct.
If you left the company, former employers are generally expected to provide experience letters on request. Contact the HR department of your previous employer directly. For banks, salary certificates usually need to be recent — most banks accept ones issued within the last 30 days, so download a fresh copy rather than reusing an old one. Not sure which letter a bank wants? Our comparison of salary certificates and their uses explains the difference.
When You Need Attested or Verified Copies
Some uses — particularly overseas visa applications, foreign universities, and certain government procedures — require attested rather than plain downloaded copies. A downloaded PDF is fine for most banks and landlords, but attestation adds official authentication stamps through a chain of authorities. Our UAE document attestation guide explains the full process and typical steps involved.
Note the distinction: downloading gives you the document; attestation authenticates it for official use abroad. If an authority asks for an attested document, a plain download will not be enough, no matter how official the portal looks.
Keeping Your Downloaded Documents Safe
Employment documents contain your salary, passport details, and ID numbers — exactly the information identity thieves want. A few practical habits:
- Save downloads to an encrypted folder or a secure cloud drive, not your desktop.
- Name files clearly so you can find them later (include the document type and date).
- Do not email sensitive documents over unsecured connections; use your bank’s or the authority’s official upload portal instead.
- Keep both the original downloaded PDF and any attested scans, labelled separately.
- Delete downloads from shared or public computers immediately after use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I download my UAE employment contract without my employer’s help?
Yes, if you work in the mainland private sector. Your registered contract is available through the MOHRE app or website using your Emirates ID or labour card number and UAE PASS login. You do not need your employer’s permission to view your own contract.
Is a downloaded salary certificate accepted by banks?
Usually yes, provided it is recent (typically issued within the last 30 days), shows your current salary and position, and carries the company stamp or an authorised signature — digital signatures are widely accepted. Check with your specific bank, as requirements vary slightly.
What if the MOHRE portal shows no record of my employment?
First, confirm whether you work in a free zone — free zone records are held by the zone authority, not MOHRE. If you are a mainland employee, ask your HR department whether your contract registration is complete. New hires sometimes find their records appear only after the onboarding paperwork is finalised.
Can I download documents for a previous employer?
Through MOHRE, you can typically view your employment history and past contracts linked to your Emirates ID. Experience letters, however, must be requested from the former employer directly, as only they can issue them.
Do downloaded documents need to be printed and stamped?
For most everyday uses — banks, landlords, job applications — a clear PDF is accepted, especially if it is digitally signed. For attestation or overseas use, printed copies with original stamps are usually required as part of the attestation chain.
How long does it take to get a salary certificate from HR?
Through a self-service portal it can be instant. Manual HR requests typically take one to three working days. If you need it urgently, ask HR whether an interim digitally signed copy is possible.
The Bottom Line
Downloading your employment documents in the UAE is mostly a matter of knowing where each one lives: MOHRE for your contract and labour records, your employer for salary certificates and experience letters, and your free zone portal if applicable. Keep your login details current, download fresh copies when banks or authorities ask for recent ones, and store everything securely. Once you have done it once, the whole process takes minutes.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Asandada24, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asandada24 is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.