What types of work permit exist in the UAE?
Twelve. Article 6 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 lists permits for recruiting from abroad, transfer, family-sponsored residents, temporary work, missions, part-time work, juveniles, student training, UAE and GCC nationals, golden visa holders, national trainees and freelancers. A worker must be at least 18 for most permits.
On this page
Permits contractors use most
Recruitment from abroad for new hires, transfer permits for workers moving between UAE employers, mission permits for specialists brought in for a specific project or period, and temporary permits for work that ends at a set date or task. Mission permits of up to three months are excluded from WPS.
Conditions for any permit
Article 7 requires the occupation to match the establishment's activity, a valid licence with no violations that could suspend it, an application by the authorised signatory, and licensed qualifications for regulated professions. MOHRE can refuse or cancel permits for false documents, a fictitious establishment, or failure to comply with WPS.
How SupaJack Construct helps
Employee records hold the labour card number and expiry with other document dates, and the system flags documents expiring within 60 days so renewals are not missed.
Related tools and guides
See the UAE labour law guide for contractors, the final settlement calculator, the gratuity calculator, the annual leave calculator, the unpaid leave deduction calculator, payroll and WPS in SupaJack Construct, time and attendance and the meaning of basic salary.
Worked example
A contractor needs a façade specialist from Europe for two months. It applies for a mission permit, not a standard recruitment permit. Because the permit is under three months, the specialist is excluded from WPS.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum age for a standard permit?
18, except juvenile and student permits.
Can a permit be refused for WPS failures?
Yes, under Article 7.
Is there a freelance permit?
Yes. It is one of the twelve types.