New UAE Work Permit Fees : Here’s The Complete List

UAE has a conducive work environment. The UAE Labour Law makes it mandatory to obtain a valid work permit by paying the necessary work permit fees UAE before one can start employing people in this Emirate. If you are interested in employing workers for your business in the UAE, you must be aware of the work permit costs. 

In this blog, we have shared the new UAE work permit cost for all categories, along with the process to apply, renew, and cancel work permits.

Work Permit Fees in The UAE: What’s New?

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation often referred to as Mohre, has come up with new service fees to issue and renew work permits, amend contracts, and transfer workers. They have brought down the work permit cost for 145 transactions and services. Fees for several services under the UAE government have been reduced by 50% and some by more than 93%.

Work Permit Types Issued By UAE

The UAE government issues 12 work permits through Mohre. This enables businesses to recruit and employ workers based on the nature of the work. Here are some of the work permits issued by the UAE under the new labour law:

• • National Trainee Permit: This permit allows companies to train UAE nationals.
  • UAE/GCC National Permit: It permits companies to recruit GCC and UAE nationals.
  • Golden Visa Holder Permit: Using this permit, a business can hire an employee who holds a Golden visa in UAE.
  • Part-Time Work Permit: Employers can use this permit to recruit employees under a part-time contract. 
  • Sponsored Work Permit: It is a permit for a foreign national residing in the UAE, sponsored by his family.
  • Expat Transfer Permit: The expat transfer permit transfers an expat worker from one company to another.

You can refer to the official site for the complete list.

UAE Work Permit Fees List

Whether you have an existing establishment in the UAE or want to start one, you will have to pay the necessary work permit fees to employ workers under different categories. The list below specifies the latest fees for all the categories.

Fees For UAE Work Permits Across All Categories

Work permit fees in UAE vary based on the category of service. You must apply for these permits based on the job type you are recruiting the employee for. The list below provides information about the old and new fees for different categories. 

Renewal of a UAE Work Permit For Two Years

The new work permit fees UAE structure has been placed under three categories. This is further classified by type. Here are the three main work permit categories valid for two years:

• • Category 1: This category includes those foreign workers whose academic qualification consists of a bachelor’s degree at the least. Among the job positions occupied by the workers from this category are engineers, computer operators, managers, etc.
  • Category 2: This category includes those foreign workers who possess a post-secondary diploma in any field. Workers from this category are absorbed in mechanical or technical jobs.

This category is further divided into four types of companies: Type A, B, C, and D.

• • Type A– Such companies have 40% or more skilled workers.
  • Type B– These companies have skilled workers between 10% and less than 40%.
  • Type C– The skilled workers in these companies range from 5% to less than 10%.
  • Type D– Companies under this category have less than 5% skilled workers.  

Category 3: This category includes those foreign workers whose minimum qualification is a high school diploma. The workers under this category can apply for job positions such as storekeeper, sales executive, etc.

Two-year UAE work permit fees are also classified based on skilled labour and unskilled or limited skilled labour. Skilled labourers are recruits who have a recognised academic qualification. Limited-skilled labourers are those recruits who don’t possess a certified academic qualification.

Transfer Fees For UAE Work Permits

If you intend to hire an employee from another company in the UAE, you will need a specific work permit for the same. The work permit fees for transferring a worker from one company to another depend on the duration for which the permit is requested. The duration must be assessed accordingly.

You will have to pay the following work permit fees to request the transfer of a worker from one company to another:

• Category A– AED50
• Category B– AED50
• Category C– AED50

The fees required to issue a work permit that allows you to transfer and hire a worker from one establishment to another for two years are as follows:

• Category A– AED250
• Category B– AED1,200
• Category C– AED3,450

Work Permit Fees From Outside the UAE

As the owner of a business or company in the UAE, you can employ a worker who is not from the UAE but from outside. You will have to request a work permit from outside the UAE. The fees for the work permit can vary based on the category to which your company belongs.

The following are the fees you need to pay to request different work permits from outside the UAE.

• Issue a UAE Work Permit

  • Category A– AED50
  • Category B– AED50
  • Category C– AED50

• Issue a UAE Work Permit Valid for Two Years

  • Category A– AED250
  • Category B– AED1,200
  • Category C– AED3,450

• Issue a UAE Work Permit for a Particular Project

  • Category A- AED250
  • Category B– AED250
  • Category C– AED250

Work Permit Application, Renewal and Cancellation Procedures

The UAE government has established specific rules and regulations for applying for, renewing, and cancelling work permits. Employers need to conform to these rules when dealing with work permits. 

As an employer in the UAE, you must do the following to apply for a work permit:

• • Your establishment or company must possess a valid trade licence.
  • The work permit application has to be filled out by the authorised signatory of the company.

The UAE government can refuse to issue, renew, or even cancel a work permit request under the following conditions:

• • If an establishment submits incorrect documents.
  • If the establishment is fake or doesn’t carry out its registered activity.
  • If the establishment doesn’t comply with the Wages Protection System of UAE or any other system followed for regulating the labour market in the country, the permit may be cancelled.

To cancel a work permit, you must acknowledge that your establishment has paid the employee all his entitlements. You must obtain the employee’s signature on the cancellation form for a work permit.

In Conclusion

We hope the information shared above regarding the new UAE work permit fees will help you go ahead with your employee recruitment plans. Just make sure to follow the regulations and request for issuing, renewing, and cancelling work permits on time by paying the necessary fees. You will be able to carry on with employee hiring with ease.

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