Asan Tata— November 8, 2026UAE work permits are now easier to get. On 8 November 2026, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) announced a new round of improvements to all 13 types of work permits. The changes sit under the government’s Zero Bureaucracy drive: less paperwork, shorter forms and faster processing.
For workers and employers, the message is simple. Fewer documents are needed, fewer fields must be filled in, and more of the process now runs online.
Quick Answer
MOHRE has simplified all 13 UAE work permit types under its Zero Bureaucracy programme. Supporting documents no longer need to be submitted, the number of data fields has been cut by 75 to 97 per cent for certain permits, and processing times have been shortened. Permits go to MOHRE-registered establishments, fees range from AED 250 to AED 3,450 depending on the company’s classification, and applications run through MOHRE’s digital channels.
What Changed on 8 November 2026
MOHRE announced the improvements on 8 November 2026. The ministry said it had launched a new phase of work permit improvements, focused on simpler requirements, redesigned procedures and wider digital services.
Three changes matter most. First, supporting documents no longer need to be submitted with work permit applications. Employers used to attach a set of papers with each application. That step has now been removed.
Second, the forms are shorter. For certain permits, the number of data fields has been cut by 75 to 97 per cent. That means less typing and fewer chances of an error.
Third, processing times have been shortened. MOHRE did not publish a single new time limit for every permit, but it confirmed that applications now move faster than before.
The services are available through unified digital channels, so employers and workers can apply online instead of visiting a service centre. More information is on the ministry’s official website, mohre.gov.ae.
The 13 UAE Work Permits: Types and Who They Cover
MOHRE issues 13 types of work permits. Each one covers a different work situation. The permits go to establishments registered with the ministry, and the employer chooses the type that matches the worker’s situation. Choosing the wrong type can delay the application.
Permits for regular employment
1. Recruit a worker from outside the UAE. The standard permit for a new hire living abroad. Valid for two years.
2. Transfer work permit. For hiring a worker already in the UAE after the previous job has ended. Valid for two years.
3. Work permit for a resident on a family sponsorship. For hiring a person who lives in the UAE under a family member’s sponsorship. Valid for two years.
4. Work permit for UAE nationals and GCC citizens. For hiring UAE nationals and citizens of other Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Valid for two years.
5. Golden Residency work permit. Issued at the request of a MOHRE-registered establishment that wants to employ a worker who holds a UAE Golden Residency visa.
Permits for flexible and short-term work
6. Temporary work permit. For assigning a worker already in the UAE to a task at a different company for a limited period. The worker returns to the original employer when the task is done.
7. Mission work permit. For recruiting workers from outside the UAE for a temporary assignment or a specific project.
8. Part-time work permit. For hiring a worker from inside or outside the UAE under a part-time contract. Workers can hold jobs with more than one employer at the same time, subject to the rules. For certain arrangements, approval from the original employer is not needed. Valid for two years.
9. Freelance work permit. For people who want to work on their own, without being sponsored by an employer. Foreign nationals on self-sponsored residence visas can use it for freelance work.
Permits for young workers, students and trainees
10. Juvenile work permit. For employing workers aged 15 to under 18 who already live in the UAE. Strict conditions apply to keep the work safe and suitable for young people.
11. Student training or employment permit. For training or employing students aged 15 and above, whether UAE nationals or expatriates. The training permit lasts for three months, according to the UAE Government portal.
12. National trainee work permit. For a MOHRE-registered establishment to provide training to UAE nationals in line with their academic qualifications.
Permit for private teaching
13. Private teacher work permit. For qualified professionals who offer private tuition lessons. It is issued under Ministerial Resolution No. 710 of 2023, and workers can apply for it free of charge through the MOHRE website.
How Much Does a Work Permit Cost?
The cost of issuing or renewing a work permit ranges from AED 250 to AED 3,450. The exact fee depends on the company’s classification. MOHRE places each registered establishment in one of three classes — A, B or C — based on its compliance record.
| Company classification | Two-year work permit fee |
|---|---|
| Category A | AED 250 |
| Category B | AED 1,200 |
| Category C | AED 3,450 |
Category A covers establishments with the strongest compliance record. Category B is the standard tier for compliant companies. Category C applies to establishments with a weaker compliance history.
Shorter permits cost less. Temporary, part-time, training and juvenile permits are reported at AED 50 each, and a two-year permit for a resident on family sponsorship or a freelancer is reported at AED 250. Fees can change, so confirm the exact figure on mohre.gov.ae before you apply.
Who Pays and Who Applies?
The employer applies for the work permit, not the worker. The application is submitted by the establishment, or through its authorised representative, on MOHRE’s digital channels. Tasheel service centres can also help.
The employer also pays the government fees. Under the UAE Labour Law, Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the employer bears the cost of the work permit and the related visa steps. Charging these costs to the worker, or deducting them from salary, is not allowed.
Article 6 of the same law says it is illegal for a person to work in the UAE without a valid work permit issued by MOHRE. The rule applies to the private sector on the mainland. An employer that hires a worker without a permit can face fines and other penalties.
How Employers Apply
The application runs online. The steps below describe the normal route for a standard permit.
Step 1: Check the company record and pick the permit type. The establishment must be registered with MOHRE and hold a valid trade licence. Its classification (A, B or C) sets the fee. Then match the worker’s situation to one of the 13 types: a new hire from abroad needs the recruitment permit, and a worker changing jobs in the UAE needs the transfer permit.
Step 2: Submit the application online. The employer files it through MOHRE’s website or the MOHRE smart app. No supporting documents need to be attached under the new rules, and the form asks for far fewer data fields than before.
Step 3: Pay the fee and receive the electronic permit. The fee is paid through the digital channel, and the permit is issued digitally. There is no plastic card to collect. It can be viewed and printed through MOHRE’s online enquiry services and the MOHRE app.
For a new hire from abroad, the work permit is only the first step. The worker still needs an entry permit, a medical fitness test, an Emirates ID and a residence visa. These steps are linked through the Work Bundle, described below.
The Work Bundle: One Flow for Permit, Visa and Emirates ID
The Work Bundle is MOHRE’s integrated platform for private-sector hiring. It brings the work permit, the residence visa, the medical test and the Emirates ID steps into a single flow.
Before the Work Bundle, the process took around 30 working days and involved about 15 steps and 16 documents. The bundled process cuts that to around five working days, about five steps and five documents, with one platform and one payment. The bundle also links MOHRE’s systems with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), so the permit and the residence visa move together.
What Workers Should Check Before Starting a Job
A work permit protects the worker. It is the legal basis for the job, the labour contract and the residence visa. First, confirm that the permit exists: the employer should be able to show the electronic work permit, and workers can also check their status through the MOHRE app or the ministry’s online enquiry services.
Second, check that the permit type matches the actual job. A part-time permit does not cover full-time work, and a temporary permit does not cover a permanent move to another company. Using the wrong permit can lead to fines, audits and cancelled permits.
Third, never pay for the permit yourself. The employer pays the government fees by law. If an agent or an employer asks the worker to pay for a work permit, that is a warning sign. Workers can report such cases to MOHRE.
Fourth, keep the labour contract. It should match the job, the salary and the working hours that were agreed. MOHRE attests employment contracts, and the contract is the reference if a dispute arises later. Workers who face unpaid wages, unsafe work or permit problems can raise a case with MOHRE through its call centre or online services.
Free Zones Are Different
MOHRE work permits cover mainland employment in the private sector. Workers in a free zone do not get a MOHRE permit: their employment card or permit is issued by the free-zone authority itself, such as DMCC, JAFZA or DIFC. The rules, fees and steps in a free zone can differ, so workers should check with their free-zone authority. Government employees and domestic workers also follow different rules, and domestic worker permits fall under a separate system managed through ICP and the Tadbeer centres.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of work permits does the UAE have?
MOHRE issues 13 types. They cover recruitment from abroad, transfers, family-sponsored residents, part-time and freelance work, temporary and mission work, young workers and students, UAE and GCC nationals, Golden Visa holders, national trainees and private teachers.
Do I still need to submit supporting documents for a work permit?
No. Under the changes announced on 8 November 2026, supporting document submission has been removed from work permit applications. The number of data fields has also been cut by 75 to 97 per cent for certain permits.
How much does a UAE work permit cost?
Issuing or renewing a two-year work permit costs AED 250 to AED 3,450, depending on the employer’s MOHRE classification: Category A pays AED 250, Category B pays AED 1,200 and Category C pays AED 3,450. The employer pays, not the worker.
Can I work in the UAE without a work permit?
No. Article 6 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 makes it illegal to work in the UAE without a valid work permit issued by MOHRE. This applies to private-sector jobs on the mainland. Free-zone workers need a permit from their free-zone authority.
How long does it take to get a work permit now?
MOHRE has shortened processing times. Through the Work Bundle, the full hiring flow — permit, residence visa, medical test and Emirates ID — takes around five working days, down from about 30 days.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice and it is not an official government publication. Rules, fees and procedures can change. Always confirm the current requirements on mohre.gov.ae or u.ae before you apply, and check your own case with the relevant authority.
Sources: Gulf News, 8 November 2026 — “UAE cuts paperwork for 13 types of work permits under Zero Bureaucracy drive”; The Official Portal of the UAE Government (u.ae), Work permits page, updated 19 October 2026; MOHRE (mohre.gov.ae); Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
Last Updated: 8 November 2026
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