Labour Card
Also known as: Work Permit Card, MOHRE Labour Card, MOHRE Work Permit
Quick Answer
The labour card, also called a work permit card, is the MOHRE work permit that lets a specific person work for a specific UAE employer. Under the UAE Labour Law it is illegal to work in the UAE without a valid MOHRE work permit, and employers may not recruit or employ anyone without one.
What a labour card is
The labour card is the work permit MOHRE issues for an employee of a registered establishment. u.ae cites Article 6 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the UAE Labour Law: it is illegal for a person to work in the UAE without a valid work permit issued by MOHRE, and employers may not recruit or employ any worker unless a work permit is issued under MOHRE procedures.
Labour card cost
u.ae states that the cost of issuing and renewing a work permit ranges from AED 250 to AED 3,450, depending on the company's MOHRE classification: A, B or C. The classification reflects how well the company complies with the labour law, the Wage Protection System, MOHRE resolutions and workers' rights laws, and its cultural and demographic diversity; companies with a history of violations are placed in category C. The fee schedule is set by Cabinet Resolution No. 37 of 2022, which amended Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020.
Labour card validity
u.ae lists a two-year validity for the main permits: recruiting a worker from outside the UAE, transferring a worker between establishments, hiring a resident on family sponsorship, employing a UAE or GCC national, and employing a Golden Visa holder. A juvenile permit is valid for one year, a national trainee permit for 12 months, and a student training and employment permit for three months.
Types of work permit
MOHRE has 13 types: recruitment from outside the UAE, transfer between establishments, resident on family sponsorship, temporary, mission, part-time, juvenile, student training and employment, UAE or GCC national, Golden Visa holder, national trainee, freelance, and private teacher.
Conditions for a work permit
The worker must be at least 18 (except for juvenile and student permits), the job must match the establishment's licensed activity, the trade licence must be valid and free of violations, any professional licence the role needs must be in place, and the application must come from someone authorised to represent the company. MOHRE may refuse, decline to renew or cancel permits if documents are incorrect, the establishment is fictitious or inactive, or it does not comply with the Wage Protection System.
Renewal and cancellation
To renew, the issuing conditions must still be met, the documents provided, and the fee paid by permit type and company classification. To cancel, the employer submits a formal request, settles any outstanding fines for late issuance or non-renewal, and confirms that the worker has received all entitlements.
Changing jobs
Moving a worker to a new employer uses MOHRE's transfer work permit, which u.ae lists as valid for two years; cancelling the previous permit follows the cancellation rules above.
The Work Bundle
u.ae describes the Work Bundle as one integrated platform for issuing, renewing and cancelling work permits and residence visas, plus the medical examination and fingerprinting for Emirates ID. It cut the steps from 15 to 5, the documents from 16 to 5, in-person visits from 7 to 2, and processing time from 30 working days to 5.
How ZETUP PRO helps
For mainland companies on a monthly PRO retainer, ZETUP PRO handles work permit issuance, renewal and cancellation and tracks expiry dates so renewals are filed before permits lapse; government fees are billed at cost with receipts.
Official sources: u.ae: Work permits (types, validity, cost, renewal and cancellation)
Frequently asked questions
What is a labour card?
The labour card, also called a work permit card, is the MOHRE work permit that lets a specific person work for a specific UAE employer. Under the UAE Labour Law it is illegal to work in the UAE without a valid MOHRE work permit, and employers may not recruit or employ anyone without one.
How much does a labour card cost?
u.ae states that issuing and renewing a work permit costs from AED 250 to AED 3,450, depending on the company's MOHRE classification (A, B or C); companies with a history of violations are placed in category C.
How long is a UAE labour card valid?
Two years for the main permits listed on u.ae: recruitment from outside the UAE, transfer between establishments, residents on family sponsorship, UAE or GCC nationals and Golden Visa holders. Juvenile permits run one year, national trainee permits 12 months and student permits three months.
How does changing jobs affect the labour card?
Moving to a new employer uses MOHRE's transfer work permit, valid for two years per u.ae. Cancelling the previous permit requires a formal request, settling any fines for late issuance or non-renewal, and confirming the worker received all entitlements.
Related
Term
MOHRE
Term
Tasheel
Term
Employment Visa
Term
Wage Protection System (WPS)
Term
Tawjeeh
Term
Establishment Card
Service
Visa Processing
Guide
Labour Card Dubai (2026): Cost & Renewal
Guide
MOHRE Enquiry & Application Status Check (2026)
Guide
UAE Work Permit Types 2026: All 13 & Fees
Guide
MOHRE Labour Contract: Check, Download & Rules
Need actual help, not just a definition?
Book a free 30-minute PRO Health Check and we'll walk you through what this actually means for your company.