12 different types of UAE work permits: All you need to know

Dubai: Starting a job in the UAE? According to your visa and work requirements, the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) offers 12 different types of work permit options that your employer can apply for, to complete your hiring process.

In a post on its official social media channels on October 12, the Ministry informed employers that they can take advantage of 12 different types of work permits, covering different employment arrangements and categories of workers, while there are other work permits (like the private tutor work permit) that you, as a worker, can apply for yourself.

Here is a breakdown of the different work permit options available from MOHRE.

If you have received a job offer from the UAE, while you are still not in the country, this is the work permit that your employer is required to apply for.

While the visa and work permit costs should be covered by the employer, as an employee, you are required to provide your company’s HR department with the necessary documents for the recruitment process to be completed, like your passport, photograph, and attested academic transcripts and degrees.

For more information on what you should know as an overseas hire, read our guide here.

Validity: Two years

This permit allows a company to hire an expat worker, who is already employed by an UAE establishment.

Validity: Two years.

In cases where a worker is living in the UAE on a family-sponsored visa, there is a specific work permit category that is applied for – ‘Issuance of a New Work Permit - Dependents Sponsored by Family Members’.

According to MOHRE, all skill levels and professions are allowed to obtain this type of permit according to the conditions of the service.

Validity: Two years.

According to MOHRE, this permit allows an establishment to engage a worker already in the UAE to carry out a specific task for a limited period at another company registered in the UAE.

The arrangement is temporary, and the employee returns to their original employer once the assignment is completed.

Similar to a temporary work permit, a Mission Work Permit allows UAE companies to bring overseas workers to the country, in order to complete a specific temporary job or project.

Validity: Three months, renewable once for a similar period

Since 2010, the UAE’s Labour Law has made provisions that allow employees to work part time even as they fulfill the requirements of their full-time positions – subject to certain conditions.

If you do wish to work part-time, the establishment where you plan to work will need to apply for a part-time work permit, with contracts involving fewer working hours or days than your full-time arrangement.

For a more detailed guide on your rights and responsibilities when working part-time in the UAE, click here.

Young people aged between the ages of 15 and 18 can be employed in the UAE under specific conditions outlined in the UAE Labour Law. Establishments hiring such workers are required to apply for a juvenile work permit, and should ensure that the workers’ employment conditions comply with the requirements of the UAE Labour Law, like the maximum number of working hours for young workers. For a detailed guide, click here.

Validity: One year.

Students aged 15 and above who are already in the UAE can also undertake employment or training opportunities in the UAE, through a student training and work permit.

While the juvenile work permit can be issued for any individual between the ages of 15 to 18, the student training and work permit is specifically for students.

For more details on the documents you would need to submit, in order to get a training and employment permit, click here.

Validity: Three months.

This permit is specifically for hiring UAE nationals and citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Validity: Two years.

If you’re holding a UAE Golden Visa, your employer would specifically need to apply for this category of work permit.

Validity: Two years.

This permit is specifically for establishments that want to provide training opportunities to UAE citizens, based on their approved academic qualifications.

Validity: 12 months, renewable upon mutual agreement between the parties.

This work permit allows UAE residents to offer private tuition classes legally, and you can apply for it directly, whether you are already a full-time worker, a university student or a homemaker, as long as you fulfil the applicable requirements for the permit.

For a detailed guide on the eligibility, documents and the application process, read our guide here.

Validity: Two years.

Cost: Free.