(UNITED ARAB EMIRATES) The Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation has reaffirmed a unified system of 13 official permits that define how people can work in the country, from full‑time employees hired from abroad to trainees, part‑time staff, students, and freelancers. MoHRE says employers and workers must use the correct category, follow the set steps, and keep permits valid to stay compliant.
The stakes are high: choosing the wrong option or skipping a requirement can trigger fines, permit cancellation, or deportation. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the framework gives the labour market clear routes while setting strong compliance rules for companies and individuals.
Overview of the 13 permit categories
The permit set covers a wide range of modern work setups and provides legal channels to match real workplace needs:
- Recruitment from Outside the UAE — bring in a hire from overseas; typically valid for two years.
- Transfer Between Establishments — move a non‑UAE national from one registered employer to another; two‑year validity.
- Family Sponsorship Work Permit — allows residents on family visas to work while keeping family sponsorship; two‑year validity.
- Temporary Work Permit — assign a worker already in the country to another company for a defined project or task (for the project duration).
- Mission Work Permit — bring a worker from outside the country for a specific temporary role.
- Part‑Time Work Permit — enable part‑time roles and, if approved, more than one part‑time job.
- Juvenile Work Permit — for ages 15–18, subject to strict safe‑work rules; one‑year validity.
- Student Training and Employment Permit — students aged 15+ living in the country can take on training or short‑term roles; usually up to three months.
- UAE or GCC National Work Permit — hire Emirati or GCC citizens; two‑year validity.
- Golden Visa Holder Work Permit — for long‑term residents (Golden Visa holders); two‑year validity.
- National Trainee Work Permit — train UAE nationals in roles matching their studies; 12 months, renewable by agreement.
- Freelance Work Permit — self‑sponsored foreign nationals working contractually without a traditional employer relationship (under conditions).
- Private Teacher Work Permit — for private tutors and teachers; listed as an official category (public guidance has fewer details).
These 13 categories range from classic full‑time roles to project gigs, youth training, and specialist teaching — giving employers and workers a clear menu of legal channels.
Project‑based and flexible options
Project and temporary categories help businesses handle short‑term needs without long contracts:
- Temporary and mission permits cover short assignments or project roles.
- Part‑time permits provide flexibility and can allow multiple part‑time jobs if MoHRE approves.
- Renewals for project‑based permits depend on project continuation and MoHRE approval.
Youth and student routes — safety and limits
Youth and student permits are tightly regulated to protect education and health:
- Juvenile Work Permit: strict rules on working hours and tasks; valid one year.
- Student Training and Employment Permit: typically up to three months for students 15+.
- Employers must obtain correct permits and obey safety/consent rules before teens or students start work or training.
Nationals, long‑term residents and trainees
These routes support Emiratisation and long‑term residency goals:
- UAE/GCC National Work Permit and National Trainee Work Permit (12 months, renewable) support citizen hiring and training.
- Golden Visa Holder Work Permit gives long‑term residents a two‑year work option without changing sponsorship.
- Trainee permits help match graduates to real roles and evaluate fit over a set time.
Freelance and private teaching
Independent and specialist roles are accommodated, with conditions:
- Freelance Work Permit: allows self‑sponsored foreigners to work for multiple clients under contracts. Does not replace professional licensing where required.
- Private Teacher Work Permit: for tutors/teachers; official category exists though public detail is limited.
Baseline compliance rules
MoHRE pairs the permits with common, strict rules:
- Workers generally must be 18+, unless the permit is for juveniles or students.
- Required education, certificates, or professional licences must be in place if the job demands them.
- Job title must match the employer’s licensed business activity.
- Employers need a valid trade license and no active violations.
- Firms must comply with the Wages Protection System (WPS) and ensure an authorized company representative files applications.
- Sector approvals may be required for regulated fields (e.g., healthcare, education).
Important warning: Any shortcut (e.g., using a part‑time permit for full‑time work, or assigning staff to another company without a Temporary Work Permit) can lead to fines, audits, cancelled permits, and suspension of new permits.
Application, renewal and cancellation process
Application steps (digital process):
- Employer selects the correct permit category and submits online via MoHRE.
- Employer confirms eligibility and uploads required documents.
- For hires from abroad: a labor contract in relevant languages and an entry permit are arranged to allow arrival, medical checks, and Emirates ID issuance.
- Employer uploads the final labor contract and provides health insurance; residence visa is then issued and linked to Emirates ID.
- Physical passport stamping is no longer required.
Renewals:
- Mirror the initial process.
- Applicants must continue to meet original issuance conditions, update changed documents, and pay applicable fees.
- Filing early avoids fines and protects legal status.
Cancellation:
- Can be initiated by the employer or in some cases the worker.
- The requesting party must confirm all dues are paid, provide required documents, and clear fines or WPS breaches.
- After cancellation, the worker exits the country or moves to a new sponsor within the legally allowed grace period.
Fees and financial implications
- Fees vary by permit type and employer classification; may include work permit fees, Emirates ID, and medical testing.
- Companies with higher compliance standards may face reduced fees.
- Budget for the full cost (medical checks, ID issuance) in addition to permit fees.
- Experts note: the cost of compliance is far less than violating rules — violations can lead to blocked transactions, license suspension, or refusal of future permits.
Digital transformation & Emirates ID linkage
- MoHRE emphasizes online processing for permits, contracts, and residence steps.
- Residence visas are linked to the Emirates ID, simplifying border and identity checks and reducing manual stamping errors.
- Tighter WPS checks: repeated salary payment delays can cause financial and administrative penalties.
Sector interactions and professional licensing
- Several permits intersect with other regulators; sector approvals may be mandatory:
- Healthcare hires (e.g., nurses) need relevant health regulator licensing in addition to the recruitment permit.
- Private teachers/tutoring centers must follow education authority standards.
- Labor permission and professional qualification alignment ensures both legal employment and sector competence.
Common pitfalls and practical advice
For employees:
– Avoid mismatched job roles and missing attested certificates for professional positions.
– Track renewal dates; a lapsed trade license or WPS non‑compliance can block renewals.
– Use calendar reminders to prevent last‑minute problems.
For employers:
– Don’t assign staff to other companies without a Temporary Work Permit.
– Don’t use part‑time permits to cover full‑time schedules.
– Don’t hire family‑sponsored residents to work without the Family Sponsorship Work Permit.
– Establish internal HR/legal checks before transfers, project assignments, or part‑time hires.
For freelancers:
– The Freelance Work Permit allows independent work with clear client contracts, but does not replace any required professional licences.
– Freelancers on family visas or investor residencies must ensure they meet all Freelance Work Permit conditions.
Talent mobility and retention
- Transfers between employers via the Transfer Between Establishments permit help retain skilled workers without them leaving the country.
- The transfer process requires cooperation on cancellation, settlement of dues, and a clean break on the prior permit to avoid gaps or penalties.
- Clear permit choices reduce misclassification and related complaints.
Student, juvenile, and family‑sponsored examples
- A university student can take a three‑month internship under the Student Training and Employment Permit.
- A 16‑year‑old student may undertake three‑month training with consent and the correct student permit.
- Teenagers in retail on weekends must have a Juvenile Work Permit; employers must follow strict hour and task limitations.
- Family‑sponsored residents can work under the Family Sponsorship Work Permit without changing sponsorship.
Golden Visa holders
- Golden Visa holders get a two‑year work permit option aligning with long‑term residency.
- Example: a Golden Visa software engineer can contract with a local firm without changing sponsorship, while complying with MoHRE rules.
Where to apply and get authoritative guidance
The government link most readers will use is Work permits (MoHRE official service). Applicants can review categories, documents, and file requests online:
MoHRE also operates a call centre to answer questions and guide users through the correct service flow.
Key compliance checklist
Employers:
– Valid trade license
– WPS compliance (salary payments)
– Authorized signatory to submit requests
– Sector approvals when required
Workers:
– Valid passport
– Medical clearance (for arrivals from abroad)
– Right education or professional licence (if required)
– Ensure job title matches licensed business activity
Critical: Any mismatch (e.g., part‑time permit used for full‑time duties) risks penalties for both employer and worker.
Looking ahead
Experts expect the permit framework to evolve as work patterns change (remote projects, cross‑border contracting, new self‑employment models). Clarifications may appear especially around freelance and private teaching activities.
For now, the baseline is clear: the 13‑permit system covers standard employment, transfers between employers, family‑sponsored work, temporary and mission roles, part‑time positions, youth employment and training, citizen hiring and training, Golden Visa holders, freelance work, and private teaching. Each route has defined rules, and MoHRE expects full compliance.
To apply, renew, or cancel, start with the official MoHRE service page above, confirm the correct permit, and file through the digital system. If questions remain, use an authorized PRO or contact the ministry for guidance. Following these steps protects workers, keeps businesses in good standing, and helps the UAE labour market remain agile and fair under MoHRE’s oversight.
This Article in a Nutshell
MoHRE’s 13‑permit framework standardizes legal routes for diverse work arrangements in the UAE, from traditional full‑time hires to project, part‑time, student, juvenile, freelance and Golden Visa scenarios. Many core permits (recruitment, transfer, family sponsorship, national and Golden Visa holders) typically hold two‑year validity; juvenile permits are one year and student training is usually up to three months. The process is largely digital, with residence visas linked to Emirates ID and no physical passport stamping. Employers must maintain valid trade licenses, WPS compliance and sector approvals where needed. Non‑compliance — such as misusing part‑time permits or failing renewals — can lead to fines, permit cancellation or deportation. The system seeks to balance labour market flexibility with stricter compliance and clearer rules for all parties.
