UAE Labour Card Explained: Everything You Need to Know

For those working or planning to move to the Emirates for work purposes, understanding the importance of the UAE Labour Card is necessary. This card, issued by MoHRE, is not just another document for working professionals in the country, but is proof of their legal employment status. You might already be aware that shifting to a foreign country for work involves a lot of paperwork, and in the UAE, this card is a component that needs to be sorted on a priority basis.

If you want to work in the Emirates legally, you must be aware of every detail regarding the Labour Card UAE renewal, fees, benefits, application process, and others. Keep reading, as this blog will explain everything you need to know about this essential document.

What is the UAE Labour Card?

Not only employees, but the UAE Labour Card needs to be acquired by all companies operating in the country. Also called a work permit, this card can be considered a ticket that permits legal entry and work of any expat in the Emirates. Only after securing it, non-national residents can work and conduct business operations here. 

Labour Card UAE holds details of both the job you do and your employer, and must be renewed on time to avoid any legal issues. As we discussed above, it is issued by MoHRE and serves as legal proof for employees. It contains all details about them, including what their job is, where they work, their home country, when their permit needs to be renewed, and other details.

An expat working in the Emirates must always have this proof of employment with them. However, employers are equally responsible, and they need to make sure everyone on the staff has this mandatory document. By meeting this requirement, businesses can show they are always compliant with the national labour laws. 

 UAE Labour Card: Eligibility Requirements

A UAE Work Permit or Labor Card verifies that an expat is legally employed and working for a registered employer in the country. Without this confirmation permit, workers are not granted permission to work, so both employees and employers must follow this labor law obligation. However, this card is also issued to local workers. Let’s now understand the eligibility requirements of this mandatory work permit in the Emirates: 

For Employees

• Only applicants above 18 and below 60 can obtain a standard work permit in the Emirates.
• A formal job offer from a registered company is a must.
• Applicants need to pass a required medical test to show they are fit for their work and compliant with the national health standards.
• Only applicants having the required qualifications and skills for the job role they’re applying for can secure it. 
• If you’re an expat applying for this mandatory permit in the UAE, you need to secure a certificate from your home country. 

For Employers

• Only companies with a valid trade license can hire local and expat workers in the UAE.
• The employer’s legal records must be clean; any violation, like pending fines, can lead to a major issue.
• Companies must meet the required guidelines set by MoHRE for hiring employees in the country.
• If employers fail to secure a Labour Card UAE for a newly hired employee within 60 days, they have to pay hefty fines.
• The role offered to the employee must fit within the company’s approved business activities under its license.

Types of UAE Labour Cards & Work Permits (2025 Updated)

The Emirates offer several types of Labour Cards that are designed for particular job roles, sectors, and other conditions. It is important for employers and employees to learn about the different types, so they know what they need to obtain. 

1. Work Permit for Foreign Workers

This permit is required by all companies in the country to hire expat workers. This comes with a two-year validity and must be renewed on time to avoid any legal issues in employment continuation.

2. Transfer Work Permit

Any expat worker who needs to change their employer without leaving the country must have this permit. It is usually used by skilled professionals who wish to switch to better opportunities. Both the new and old employers must follow the required notice period and settlement rules. 

3. Temporary Work Permit

This work permit is issued by MoHRE for short-term roles, so workers who have project-based or seasonal jobs need to obtain it. It usually comes with a 6-month validity and can be renewed once. 

4. One-Mission Work Permit

UAE-based companies can hire expats for specific tasks or projects for a defined period using this permit. This permit helps employers to benefit from the external expertise for the required tasks and duration. 

5. Mission Visa (Short-Term Work Visa)

This is another short-term work permit that comes with 90-day validity and can be renewed once. It is usually used by consultants, auditors, and other businesses in free zones and government-related businesses for their urgent hiring needs.

6. Juvenile Work Permit

Anyone aged between 15 and 18 needs to secure this work permit to work legally in the country. Employers hiring young people must make sure they follow the working hours, safety, and other guidelines for hiring minors in the country. 

7. Student Training Work Permit

If you’re a student currently studying in the Emirates and want to secure internship and training program opportunities with licensed businesses, then you need to secure this work permit. It allows students to gain exposure to real challenges and tasks in the industry.

8. National Apprentice Permit

This is designed for Emirati residents and supports Emiratization by giving them the required training to secure jobs in the private sector. This permit helps them prepare for careers in diverse industries. 

9. Freelance Work Permit

As the name suggests, it needs to be secured by those who wish to work with multiple employers independently in the Emirates. Generally, it is used by professionals in media, IT, design, consultancy, and other sectors with good freelancing opportunities.

10. Work Permit for Citizens Sponsored by Relatives

If you’re an expat living in the UAE with a sponsored visa, you need to secure this permit to legally work in the country without changing your residency status. Employers must make sure such employers either obtain this work permit or change their legal residency status.

11. Part-Time Work Permit

This UAE Labour Card is issued to those who want to legally work for more than one employer in the country. It is best for students, freelancers, and anyone who needs multiple and flexible income sources.

12. Permit for Hiring Emirati or GCC Citizens

All companies in UAE need to acquire this permit to hire Emirati and GCC nationals for different job roles. Not only does it support the government’s goal to support local talent, but it also makes the hiring process simpler.

13. Golden Visa Work Permit

Anyone holding a UAE Golden Visa doesn’t need to apply for a traditional Labour Card or Permit to legally work in the country. Scientists, investors, and other highly skilled professionals are granted permission to live and work in the country for 10 years with this permit.

14. Remote Work Permit (Virtual Work Residency Visa)

If you’re living in the Emirates but offer services to a foreign company, you need to obtain this permit. It is usually helpful for freelancers, IT professionals, and other remote workers who desire to live in the country to enjoy the high-end lifestyle without being employed by a local business. 

UAE Labour Card Application Process for Employees

If you’re planning to work in the Emirates, you must understand how important it is to secure a Labour Card to avoid any legal issues in your employment. Here is the simple application process you need to follow to obtain your Labour Card UAE:

1. Receive a Job Offer

The first step in the UAE Labour card application process is that you need to receive a formal job offer from a legally registered company in the country. The job offer provided by the employer must have detailed information about your job role, salary, etc. 

2. Employer Applies for Work Permit

Once you accept the job offer shared by the hiring company, it will submit an application for your permit to the MoHRE. 

3. Receive Entry Permit (Pink Visa)

After the work permit is approved, the immigration department will issue a temporary entry permit (Pink Visa), which allows an expat to travel to the UAE. 

4. Undergo Complete Medical Test

After reaching the Emirates, you need to take a complete medical test at a government-approved center to ensure you’re not contaminated with certain diseases and fit to work in the country. 

5. Apply for Emirates ID

Once you pass the medical test, the next step is to apply for an Emirates ID, which will help you with further steps in the process. 

6. Residency Visa Application

After this, the hiring company will submit your residence visa application to help you secure legal permission to live in the country.

7. Labour Card Application Completion

Once you receive your residence visa, your employer can proceed with the Labour Card application. 

8. Get Your Labour Card

After reviewing your application, if MoHRE approves it, you will receive your Labour Card UAE through the authority’s app or website. 

Required Documents for Candidates

Before proceeding with the application process of the Emirati Labour Card, you need to prepare the following necessary documents to avoid any delay: 

• Passport-Sized Photograph: A clear photo with a white background for identification.
• Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least six months from the application date.
• Academic and Professional Certificates: Copies relevant to your job, verified if required by UAE authorities.
• Medical Test Results: From a government-approved health center, confirming fitness and no communicable diseases.
• Signed Employment Contract: Provided by your employer, outlining job role, salary, and employment terms.
• Entry Permit: Required for candidates outside the UAE, issued by the employer after work permit approval.

How Can You Check Your UAE Labour Card Online? 

MoHRE, the authority that handles everything related to Labour Cards in the Emirates, helps workers to check their permits online. You can either use the authority’s official app or website for this purpose.

Using the MOHRE Website

• Visit the MOHRE website: You need to visit the official MOHRE website. 
• Navigate to Services: Next, you need to find the Services section or any similar option.
• Find the relevant service: Then you have to select the option for inquiring about your work permit or checking your contract details. 
• Enter your details: Lastly, you need to provide the required personal information, like your passport number and nationality, and your contract information will be shown. 

Using the MOHRE App

• Download the App: You first need to download the official MOHRE smartphone app, which is available for both Android and iOS users. 
• Access “My Contract”: If you’re using it for the first time, you need to enter specific details and create your account. Those who already have an account need to log in and find the section for “My Contract” within the app.
• Input details: Then you need to enter your passport number, nationality, and other details.
• Submit and View: After submitting these details, you can view the information about your contract and labour status.

How to Download UAE Labor Card

MoHRE has helped employers and employees in the Emirates by offering online access to several services related to Labour Cards. Now they don’t need to physically visit the center to secure the card, as they can just use the online service to download and print a physical copy.

1. Go to the MOHRE Website or App: Using the official website or downloading and opening the MOHRE mobile app on your device, you can download your UAE labour card online. 

2. Access Services: Next, click on the Services section, which is usually positioned at the top of the website or within the app’s menu.

3. Find the Work Permit Option: After that, select New Enquiry Services, and then choose the option to Print Work Permit.

4. Enter Your Details: You will be asked to enter your labor card number in the required Work Permit No. field.

5. Search and Print: Next, click the Search button to get your work permit details.

6. Download and Print: The last step is to select the print option at the top or side of the page to download and print your electronic work permit.

UAE Labour Card Renewal Documents & Steps

Not only is securing a Labour Card in the Emirates mandatory, but also renewing it on time is necessary to avoid any legal issues. If you don’t renew it within 50 days before the card’s validity expires, you need to pay a fine of up to AED 500. 

Here are the documents required for the renewal process:

• Completed Application Form: Available on MoHRE’s online portal or Tas’heel service centers.
• Passport-Sized Photo: Recent photo with a white background.
• Valid Passport Copy: Must have at least six months of validity.
• Current Labour Card Copy: For verifying current records.
• Company Trade Licence Copy: Confirms that the employer is legally registered.
• Valid Emirates ID: A copy of your current Emirates ID.
• Medical Fitness Test Results: May be required for some job categories.
• Educational and Professional Certificates: Updated documents, if there are any changes since your last application.

Here are the steps needed to follow for renewing the UAE Labour Card:

• Your employer needs to start the renewal process by submitting an application and the above documents using the MoHRE portal or at a Tas’heel service centre
• If you work for an employer that fully meets its Emiratisation targets and WPS compliance, a fee of AED 250 will be charged. However, if you work for a company that doesn’t fully meet these requirements, a fee between AED 600 to AED 2,000 is charged. For companies that fail to follow required labour law and Emiratisation guidelines, the fee for this card renewal ranges between AED 3,000 and AED 3,450.
• After the payment is done, you will receive your renewed Labour Card through the MoHRE app or website.

What to Do If Your Labour Card Is Lost

Even if you lost your UAE Labour Card, you don’t need to panic, as the following steps can help you easily handle this situation:

• Firstly, you need to inform your employer about it, as it will handle the next procedure. 
• After that, you need to file a report to the local police station, or on the MoHRE app or website, about the loss.
• You will fill out a renewal form and might have to submit a copy to the police station. 
• Your employer needs to pay a required fee, and once the payment is made, your renewal application will be reviewed.
• If you’ve met all mandatory requirements, you will be able to obtain your new card through the authority’s website or app. 

Simplify Your UAE Labour Card Process with Hisab Taskmaster CA Advisors

Handling the UAE Labour Card application and renewal might be difficult due to the complex paperwork and several steps. If you are not completely aware of eligibility guidelines, required documents, and other rules, it can be more challenging. With HISAB Taskmaster CA Advisors, you don’t need to worry about anything, as we simplify every step for both employers and employees. We provide the required support, handle paperwork, and ensure you get your Labour Card without delays. Choose us as your reliable partner to make sure you’re always compliant with Emirates labour laws and MoHRE regulations and have access to expert support for all labour card legal formalities. 

Also Read – UAE Credit Score Explained: How It Works & Tips to Improve Your Credit Score