Key Takeaways
• UAE launched a digital work permit service on June 4, 2025, to simplify hiring foreign workers.
• The Work Bundle platform integrates work permits, residency visas, medical tests, and Emirates ID applications.
• Thirteen permit categories now exist, including freelance, part-time, remote work, and job seeker visas.
The United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪 has taken a major step forward in making it easier for companies to hire foreign workers. On June 4, 2025, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) launched a new digital work permit service. This upgrade is part of a larger effort to modernize the country’s immigration and labor systems, aiming to make the process faster, simpler, and more transparent for everyone involved.
This article explains what the new work permit service is, how it works, who it affects, and what it means for employers, workers, and the future of the UAE 🇦🇪 labor market. We’ll also look at the rules, costs, and important steps you need to know if you plan to work or hire in the UAE 🇦🇪.
What Is the New UAE Work Permit Service?
The new work permit service is a digital platform that allows employers to apply for and manage work permits for foreign workers online. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) designed this service to make hiring faster and easier. Employers can now use the MoHRE website or mobile app to complete the entire process, from submitting documents to getting approvals.
Why did the UAE 🇦🇪 launch this service?
The main goal is to reduce paperwork, speed up approvals, and make sure the process is clear and fair for everyone. By using digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI), the ministry can check documents quickly and even approve some applications instantly if everything is in order.
How Does the New Work Permit Service Work?
The new system is part of the UAE 🇦🇪’s “Work Bundle” initiative. This program brings together several steps needed to hire a foreign worker into one simple process. Instead of dealing with different offices and forms, employers and workers can now do everything in one place.
The Work Bundle Platform Includes:
- Work permit applications and approvals
- Residency visa processing
- Medical exams required for work
- Emirates ID applications
All these steps are now available through a single, easy-to-use online system. This saves time and reduces the chance of mistakes or missing documents.
Step-by-Step Guide: Applying for a Work Permit in the UAE 🇦🇪
Employers who want to hire foreign workers must follow these steps using the MoHRE digital platforms:
- Select the right service package
Choose “Job offer + employment contract + initial approval for work permit-first visit.” - Pick the notification type
This depends on the company’s available quota for foreign workers. -
Complete verification
If using a business service center, you must do an e-signature check. This step isn’t needed if you use the smart app. -
Document verification
The system uses AI to check all documents for accuracy and completeness. -
Provide extra details
Enter information like salary, address, and working hours. -
Identity check
For business service centers, the worker’s ID is checked using a card reader. This isn’t needed with the smart app. -
Upload attachments
Add all required documents, such as photos and certificates. -
Review everything
Double-check all details before submitting. -
Pay the fees
Once payment is made, the application is officially submitted.
After approval, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) issues an entry permit. This lets the worker enter the UAE 🇦🇪. Once in the country, the worker must complete a medical test, register for an Emirates ID, and sign the final employment contract with MoHRE.
For more details on work permits and the application process, you can visit the official MoHRE website.
Expanded Work Permit Categories in 2025
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has introduced more types of work permits to match the changing needs of the UAE 🇦🇪 job market. There are now 13 different categories, making it easier for people with different skills and work styles to find legal employment.
Some of the Main Work Permit Types:
- Freelance Permit: For people who want to work for themselves and offer services without a traditional employer.
- Part-Time Work Permit: Lets workers have more than one job with different employers.
- Temporary Work Permit: For short-term jobs, usually up to six months.
- One-Mission Work Permit: For professionals coming to the UAE 🇦🇪 for a specific project.
- Private Teacher Work Permit: For those who want to offer private tutoring legally.
- Job Seeker Visa: Gives job hunters 60, 90, or 120 days to find work.
- Remote Work Visa: For people who want to live in the UAE 🇦🇪 but work for a company in another country.
This wide range of permits helps the UAE 🇦🇪 attract skilled workers, freelancers, and digital nomads from around the world.
What Documents and Conditions Are Needed?
To apply for a work permit, employers must provide:
- A recent color photo (white background)
- A passport valid for at least six months
- A signed job offer
- Academic certificates (if required for the job)
- Professional license (for jobs like doctors or teachers)
- National ID copies (for workers from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran)
The UAE 🇦🇪 sorts jobs into skill levels from 1 to 9. Higher skill levels (like managers or professionals) need more education, usually a Bachelor’s degree. These degrees must be checked and approved by the Ministry of Higher Education, and employers pay a fee for this. The process can take up to two weeks.
To be eligible, companies must:
- Have a valid electronic quota for foreign workers
- Hold an active trade license with no violations
- Make sure the worker is at least 18 years old
- Submit the application through an authorized company representative
- Confirm the worker doesn’t already have an active work permit
How Much Does a Work Permit Cost?
The fees for work permits in the UAE 🇦🇪 are clear and depend on the job category:
- Application fee: AED 50
- Two-year work permit fees:
- Category 1: AED 250
- Category 2: AED 1,200
- Category 3: AED 3,450
If you use a service center, there may be extra charges, but these are capped at AED 72 per service.
Skilled vs. Unskilled Workers: What’s the Difference?
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation treats skilled and unskilled workers differently:
Skilled Workers:
– Must have the right educational qualifications, checked by the Ministry of Higher Education
– Must earn at least AED 4,000 per month
– Employers pay for the education check
– The check takes up to two weeks
Unskilled Workers:
– Have different document requirements
– Don’t need their education checked
– Have different minimum salary rules
For both groups, the worker must pass a medical exam after arriving in the UAE 🇦🇪 before the labor contract is finalized.
Emiratisation: How Does It Affect Work Permits?
The UAE 🇦🇪 government wants to increase the number of Emirati citizens working in private companies. This policy is called Emiratisation. It has a big impact on how many foreign workers companies can hire.
Key Emiratisation Rules:
- Companies with 50 or more employees must increase their Emirati staff by 2% each year, aiming for 10% by 2026.
- Smaller companies (20-49 employees) must hire at least one Emirati in 2024 and two by 2025.
- Companies that don’t meet these targets face fines:
- AED 96,000 per year in 2024 (rising to AED 108,000 in 2025)
- AED 9,000 per month for each job that should be filled by an Emirati but isn’t (increasing by AED 1,000 in 2026)
- Companies that break the rules may be blocked from using government portals, making it hard to hire anyone.
This means employers must plan carefully and make sure they follow the Emiratisation rules before hiring foreign workers.
Legal Rules and Compliance
The UAE 🇦🇪 takes labor laws very seriously. Hiring someone on a visit visa (instead of a work permit) is illegal and can lead to heavy fines—between AED 100,000 and AED 1 million. Companies and workers who break the rules can face strict legal action.
To stay legal, employers must:
- Get a work permit before the worker starts the job
- Make sure contracts follow rules on pay, hours, and leave
- Keep the right visa status for all foreign workers
- Meet Emiratisation quotas if required
What Does This Mean for Employers and Workers?
The new work permit service is a big improvement for both employers and foreign workers. Here’s how it helps:
For Employers:
– Faster, easier hiring process
– Less paperwork and fewer mistakes
– Clear rules and digital tracking
– Lower risk of fines or legal trouble
For Workers:
– Quicker entry into the UAE 🇦🇪 job market
– More types of work permits to match different careers
– Easier to check application status and requirements
– Better protection under UAE 🇦🇪 labor laws
Looking Ahead: The Future of Work Permits in the UAE 🇦🇪
The 2025 changes show that the UAE 🇦🇪 is focused on being a top place for global talent. By using digital tools and AI, the country is making it easier for skilled people to come and work. The Work Bundle initiative and the new work permit service are just the start—more improvements are likely as the government keeps working to make the process even smoother.
Employers and workers should keep up with the latest rules and use official channels to avoid problems. As reported by VisaVerge.com, staying informed and following the correct steps is the best way to have a successful experience in the UAE 🇦🇪 labor market.
Practical Tips and Next Steps
- Employers:
- Check your Emiratisation quotas before hiring
- Use the MoHRE digital platform for all applications
- Keep all documents ready and up to date
- Pay attention to fee categories and deadlines
- Workers:
- Make sure your passport and documents are valid
- Understand which work permit fits your job
- Follow up on your application status online
- Know your rights and responsibilities under UAE 🇦🇪 law
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s official website.
By following these steps and using the new digital services, both employers and workers can enjoy a smoother, safer, and more efficient process in the UAE 🇦🇪’s growing and diverse job market.
Learn Today
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) → Government entity managing labor laws, work permits, and Emiratisation policies in the UAE.
Work Bundle → An integrated digital platform combining work permits, residency visas, medical exams, and Emirates ID processes.
Emiratisation → Government initiative to increase UAE citizen employment in private sector companies by setting hiring quotas.
Work Permit → Official authorization for foreign nationals to work legally in the UAE under specific job categories.
Freelance Permit → Type of work permit allowing professionals to offer services independently without a traditional employer.
This Article in a Nutshell
The UAE’s new digital work permit service launched in 2025 streamlines hiring foreign workers with AI-powered verification and integrates multiple steps into one platform, improving speed and transparency for employers and employees in the evolving UAE labor market.
— By VisaVerge.com
