MoHRE Digital Work Permits: The 13 Types and How Overseas Hiring Works
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has upgraded its work permit services under the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme. Per Gulf News, the update was announced in June 2026 and covers 13 permit types on MoHRE’s unified digital platforms. Supporting documents were removed entirely, mandatory data fields for some permits were cut by 75% to 97%, and processing times were shortened. Only establishments registered with MoHRE can obtain permits for their employees.
The 13 permit types
| Permit | Used for |
|---|---|
| Recruitment from outside the UAE | Hiring workers from abroad (valid two years) |
| Transfer | Hiring a worker already in the UAE after a previous job ends (two years) |
| Family-sponsored individuals | Employing residents under family sponsorship (two years) |
| Part-time | Part-time contracts for workers from inside or outside the UAE (two years) |
| Temporary | Short-term work at an establishment other than the worker’s main employer |
| Mission | Temporary assignments or fixed-duration projects, with workers from abroad |
| UAE national / GCC national | Employing UAE nationals and GCC citizens (two years) |
| Golden Residency holder | Employing Golden Residence holders |
| Juvenile | Employing people aged 15 to 18 under safety conditions |
| Student training and employment | Training or employing students aged 15 or older |
| Trainee UAE national | Training UAE nationals in line with their qualifications |
| Private tutoring | Hiring a private tutor |
| Freelance | Self-employed foreign nationals on self-sponsored residency |
Hiring from abroad: the steps
- Log in to MoHRE’s online channels with UAE Pass and submit the application through a service delivery platform, attaching the job offer signed by employer and employee.
- MoHRE checks compliance. If documents are missing, the employer is notified.
- Once requirements are met, the permit is issued. The employer then pays the federal fees and a bank guarantee or insurance.
- ICP issues the entry permit. The worker completes medical tests and the Emirates ID, and MoHRE issues the employment contract.
What employers must still cover
Going digital does not change the employer’s obligations. Khaleej Times reports that employers must hold an active establishment licence with no violations, keep a valid electronic quota, hire only workers aged 18 or older, and ensure the candidate has no active work permit. Reported 2025 fees were a Dh50 application fee and a two-year permit fee of Dh250, Dh1,200 or Dh3,450 depending on the establishment’s category, plus service-centre charges of up to Dh72. These figures predate the 2026 upgrade, so check the MoHRE website for current amounts. For the employee’s side of the process, see our UAE work visa guide.
Related guides
- Domestic Worker Absconding Report in the UAE: Rules, Steps and Fees
- UAE Gratuity Deductions: What Employers and Banks Can Take
- 11 Workplace Violations You Can Report to MOHRE
- UAE Labour Law Resignation: Notice Period Rules
- UAE Worker Protection Schemes: How Unemployment Insurance and the Workers Protection Programme Work
