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UAE work permits: the 13 types, validity and cost

Working in the UAE private sector needs a Ministry work permit. There are 13 types, most valid for two years; issuing or renewing one costs AED 250 to 3,450 depending on the company's A, B or C rating.

By MyGuide AE Editorial 2 min read 26 September 2026

It is illegal to work in the UAE private sector without a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Article 6 of the Labour Law), and illegal for an employer to hire without one. The Ministry issues 13 types; most are valid for two years.

The 13 types

Permit	What it is for	Valid for
Recruitment from abroad	Bringing a worker from outside the UAE	2 years
Transfer	Moving a non-UAE worker from one establishment to another	2 years
Family-sponsored resident	Hiring someone in the UAE on family sponsorship	2 years
Temporary	Lending a worker to another company for a limited task	—
Mission	Bringing a worker from abroad for a time-bound project	—
Part-time	Fewer hours or days than full time; the worker may work for more than one employer with Ministry approval	—
Juvenile	Workers aged 15 to 18, under protective conditions	1 year
Student training and employment	A 15-year-old student already in the UAE	3 months
UAE / GCC national	Employing a UAE or GCC national	2 years
Golden Visa holder	Employing a Golden Visa holder already in the UAE	2 years
National trainee	Training a UAE citizen in line with their qualification	12 months, renewable
Freelance	Working independently without an employer’s sponsorship or an employment contract, including on self-sponsored residence	—
Private teacher	Giving private lessons	2 years, free

Conditions

The worker is at least 18, except for the juvenile and student permits.
The job matches the establishment’s business activity, and its trade licence is valid and free of violations.
Licensed professions meet their own licensing conditions.
The application is made by someone legally authorised to represent the company.

The Ministry can refuse, not renew or cancel permits if an establishment submits incorrect documents, is fictitious, or does not comply with the Wage Protection System.

Cost

Issuing or renewing a work permit costs AED 250 to AED 3,450, depending on the company’s rating: A, B or C. The rating reflects compliance with the labour law, the Wage Protection System and workers’ rights; companies with a record of violations are placed in C.

The private teacher permit

Teachers in government or private schools, government and private employees, unemployed people, school students aged 15 to 18 and university students can apply through the Ministry’s app, website or digital channels. It is free for two years; tutoring without it can be fined.

A second job

A second, part-time job needs a part-time work permit from the Ministry. Someone living in the UAE on a family visa needs a no-objection letter from their sponsor.

Cancelling a permit

The company files a formal request, settles any outstanding fines and must confirm that the worker has received all their entitlements; check yours with the final settlement calculator.

Checked against the UAE government portal (u.ae), content sourced to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, on 26 September 2026. Fees change; the Ministry’s service cards are the reference. See our editorial policy.

Sources we checked

The official bodies where these figures and rules are kept up to date. Where an official page disagrees with us, the official page is right.

Prices are what we last paid or last verified, in dirhams. Opening hours change on public holidays and during Ramadan — always confirm on the venue’s own site before you travel. Our editorial policy

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