The MOHRE labour card (work permit) authorises a foreign national to work legally in a UAE mainland private-sector job. It's tied 1:1 with the residence visa and must be issued before any employment begins.
New issuance
The employer initiates the work permit through MOHRE / Tasheel. Timeline: 2–5 working days after submitting the attested degree, passport copy, photo, and employment offer.
Renewal
Renewal must happen before the current labour card expires. The employer covers the fee by default (this is a legal requirement under UAE Labour Law).
Fees (2026)
| Item | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Work permit — skill level 1 (degree) | 250 – 1,200 |
| Work permit — skill level 2 (diploma) | 1,500 – 3,000 |
| Work permit — skill level 3 (below) | 3,500 – 5,500 |
| WPS registration | 1,200 |
| Labour insurance (replaces old bank guarantee) | 60/year/worker |
Cancellation
At the end of employment, the employer must cancel the labour card within 14 days of the last working day. The residence visa is then cancelled (grace period: 30–180 days depending on visa type).
If you miss renewal
Working with an expired labour card is illegal. Fines start at AED 50/day and can escalate to AED 5,000 plus a 1-year work ban.
Labour complaints
If your employer hasn't paid WPS salary for 60+ days, or has failed to cancel after resignation, file a complaint at MOHRE.gov.ae or call 600 59 0000.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.