Home » United Arab Emirates » United Arab Emirates – Work Permits and Working Legally

United Arab Emirates – Work Permits and Working Legally

Working Legally in the United Arab Emirates

It is necessary for expats to obtain a work permit in order to work legally in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Expats are required to have a valid residency visa and a work permit in order to work in the UAE. The work permit is issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and is valid for two years.

Who Must Make the Application?

The application for a work permit must be made by the expat’s employer. The employer must apply for a work permit on behalf of the expat and provide all the necessary documents and information required by MOHRE

There are no exemptions to the requirement for a work permit in the UAE. All expats, regardless of their nationality or profession, are required to obtain a work permit and a residency visa to work legally in the UAE.

Types of Work Permits for Expats in the United Arab Emirates


Get Our Best Articles Every Month!

Get our free moving abroad email course AND our top stories in your inbox every month


Unsubscribe any time. We respect your privacy - read our privacy policy.


There are two types of work permits in the UAE:

  1. Residence visa with a work permit: This is the most common type of work permit and is issued to expats who are employed by a UAE-based company.

  2. Residence visa with a work permit for self-employed individuals: This type of work permit is issued to expats who are self-employed in the UAE, such as freelancers or entrepreneurs.

In order to be eligible for a work permit in the UAE, expats must meet the following criteria:

  1. They must be over the age of 18.

  2. They must have a valid passport from their home country.

  3. They must have a residency visa.

  4. They must be employed by a UAE-based company or be self-employed in the UAE.

Work Permit Application Process in the United Arab Emirates

The procedure to apply for a work permit in the UAE is as follows:

  1. The employer must first apply for a residency visa for the expat.

  2. Once the residency visa has been approved, the employer must then apply for a work permit on behalf of the expat.

  3. The employer must provide all the necessary documents and information required by MOHRE, including the expat’s passport, CV, and education and professional qualifications.

  4. The employer must also pay the applicable fees for the work permit and residency visa.

The entire process of obtaining a work permit in the UAE can take several weeks, depending on the processing time of the residency visa and work permit applications.

Work Permit Documents in the United Arab Emirates

The following documents are required to apply for a work permit in the UAE:

  1. Valid passport from the expat’s home country.

  2. Residency visa.

  3. CV and education and professional qualifications.

  4. Proof of employment from the employer, including a letter of offer and a contract of employment.

  5. Any other relevant documents required by MOHRE.

Work Permit Costs in the United Arab Emirates

The costs involved in obtaining a work permit in the UAE vary depending on the type of permit and the duration of the residency visa. The employer must pay the fees for both the residency visa and the work permit, which typically include an application fee, a visa fee, and an immigration fee

Where can expats go for


Latest Videos

Expat Focus

848 subscribers

Move abroad easily with Expat Focus.

Expat Focus
Writer and Editor Kirsten Raccuia is known for her Sand in My Curls blog, which until recently, was all about her expat life in Malaysia. We last spoke at the height of the global pandemic, when she and her husband were closing in on a decade in Penang. Fast-forward a couple of years, and they’re in a new country, Mexico. I’m chatting with Kirsten again to find out what factors influenced their decision to move, and why Mexico? And what it was like to close the Malaysia chapter of their life abroad.

Writer and Editor Kirsten Raccuia is known for her Sand in My Curls blog, which until recently, was all about her expat life in Malaysia. We last spoke at the height of the global pandemic, when she and her husband were closing in on a decade in Penang.

Fast-forward a couple of years, and they’re in a new country, Mexico. I’m chatting with Kirsten again to find out what factors influenced their decision to move, and why Mexico? And what it was like to close the Malaysia chapter of their life abroad.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_2iutaBgsCRk

Moving From Malaysia To Mexico

Expat Focus 15 August 2023 3:23 pm

A topic that comes up quite often in our Facebook groups is moving abroad with children. What’s the ideal age? Especially if they're going to need to learn a new language? What about the best time of year to move? And how do you make the assimilation process, from learning new cultural norms to making new friends, as smooth and enjoyable as possible? My guest today is someone who can speak from experience. Sharon Green is the founding editor of online publication SHE DEFINED. And in 1998, just before she turned 12, Sharon migrated with her family from Durban in South Africa to Melbourne in Australia. Sharon’s going to share her experience of being a third culture kid, and how it has shaped her sense of belonging as an adult.

A topic that comes up quite often in our Facebook groups is moving abroad with children. What’s the ideal age? Especially if they're going to need to learn a new language? What about the best time of year to move? And how do you make the assimilation process, from learning new cultural norms to making new friends, as smooth and enjoyable as possible?

My guest today is someone who can speak from experience. Sharon Green is the founding editor of online publication SHE DEFINED. And in 1998, just before she turned 12, Sharon migrated with her family from Durban in South Africa to Melbourne in Australia.

Sharon’s going to share her experience of being a third culture kid, and how it has shaped her sense of belonging as an adult.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_62EMRLnSni4

Growing Up As A Third Culture Kid In Australia

Expat Focus 26 July 2023 6:48 pm

When American, Samaki Dorsey Schneider moved to France permanently five years ago, the last thing the 44 year-old expected was to need to take a driving test. But that’s the reality for some expats who can’t simply exchange their existing driver’s license for a French one. Keep listening to find out why this is the case, what the testing process is like in France, some of the costs involved and the road rules that might be a little different to what you’re used to.

When American, Samaki Dorsey Schneider moved to France permanently five years ago, the last thing the 44 year-old expected was to need to take a driving test. But that’s the reality for some expats who can’t simply exchange their existing driver’s license for a French one. Keep listening to find out why this is the case, what the testing process is like in France, some of the costs involved and the road rules that might be a little different to what you’re used to.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_hrrVi0XbYgg

How To Get A French Driver's License

Expat Focus 23 June 2023 2:29 pm

Load More... Subscribe
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Important: No API Key Entered.

Many features are not available without adding an API Key. Please go to the YouTube Feed settings page to add an API key after following these instructions.