UAE Labour Contract (MOHRE) 2026: What It Contains, How It Is Issued, and How to Check or Download It

Every private-sector employee in the UAE works under an employment contract approved by MOHRE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and signed by both the employer and the employee. This guide covers what the contract must say, how MOHRE issues and renews it, and where to view or download it. It is built from MOHRE's Issuance/Renewal of Employment Contracts service page, MOHRE's employment offers and contracts site, and the Implementing Regulation of the Labour Law (Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022), all read on 25 October 2026.

What is a MOHRE labour contract?

Quick answer: The employment contract between a private-sector employer and an employee, on MOHRE's approved form, signed by both and approved by the Ministry. MOHRE lists it as the required document for issuing or renewing a contract: "Employment contract approved by the Ministry, signed by both the employer and employee."

Under the Labour Law, u.ae states, unlimited contracts were abolished and only fixed-term contracts are allowed. For the wider rules — probation, hours, leave, notice and gratuity — see our UAE Labour Law guide.

The six contract types

The Implementing Regulation (Art. 10) says the employer and worker contract on the form in MOHRE's system for the work pattern they agree:

The Regulation also allows any other form set by ministerial resolution.

What the contract must contain

The Implementing Regulation (Art. 10(1)) lists the contents:

• the employer's name and address
• the worker's name, nationality, date of birth, proof of identity and qualification
• the job or occupation, start date and workplace
• working hours and rest days
• the probation period, if any
• the contract term
• the agreed wage, including benefits and allowances
• annual leave entitlement
• the notice period and the procedure for ending the contract
• any other data MOHRE sets to regulate the relationship

Both parties can add clauses to the approved form as long as they comply with the Labour Law and its regulations (Art. 10(2)). A contract can move to a different work pattern only with both parties' approval, after the entitlements under the original contract are paid, and following MOHRE's procedure (Art. 10(3)).

How MOHRE issues a new contract

MOHRE's service page sets out five steps:

1. Log in with UAE Pass through an approved channel.
2. Submit the request: enter the information, check what the system retrieves automatically, and attach the documents.
3. Guidance workshop: workers in skill levels 5–9 attend a guidance workshop session.
4. Pay the fees.
5. Issuance: the contract is approved and attested electronically once every requirement is met.

The work-permit fee itself is set by the company's MOHRE category: AED 250–3,450, according to u.ae. See the labour card guide for the permit side and the MOHRE company classification guide for the categories.

Job offers and contracts on MOHRE's site

MOHRE's employment offers and contracts site, receipts.mohre.gov.ae, groups its documents as:

• Job offer
• Work permit with job offer
• Renew work permit
• Work permit without job offer
• View my contract

MOHRE distinguishes work permits issued with a job offer from those issued without one. View my contract shows the contract on file for a transaction.

How to check or download your labour contract

1. Open MOHRE's employment offers and contracts site, receipts.mohre.gov.ae.
2. Choose View my contract.
3. Search either by transaction number (with your passport number and nationality) or by Emirates ID number.

MOHRE's inquiry portal also has a View Approved Contract item under Work Permit, which opens the same site. To check the status of a contract application rather than the contract itself, see our MOHRE enquiry services guide.

Renewing a contract

MOHRE accepts a work-permit renewal up to 60 days before it expires. The establishment's authorised signatory submits it, and MOHRE states 2 working days. The main permit types run for two years, per u.ae.

How ZETUP PRO helps

ZETUP PRO prepares and submits MOHRE work permits and contracts for mainland companies — new hires, renewals, changes of work pattern and cancellations — on a published monthly retainer.

Free PDF: UAE Employer Labour Law Checklist 2026 | See the pricing | Book a free PRO Health Check

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I check my labour contract online? A: On MOHRE's employment offers and contracts site, receipts.mohre.gov.ae, choose View my contract and search by transaction number (with passport number and nationality) or by Emirates ID number.

Q: How do I download my MOHRE labour contract? A: Open the contract through View my contract on receipts.mohre.gov.ae. The inquiry portal's View Approved Contract item opens the same site.

Q: How long does MOHRE take to issue a labour contract? A: MOHRE's service page states 2 working days. A new contract must be applied for within 60 days of the employee entering the UAE or changing status.

Q: Is a MOHRE labour contract fixed-term? A: Yes. u.ae states that the Labour Law abolished unlimited contracts and allows only fixed-term contracts.

Q: What types of employment contract does MOHRE allow? A: Full-time, part-time, temporary, flexible, remote and job sharing, plus any other form set by ministerial resolution (Implementing Regulation, Art. 10).

Q: Can the contract be changed after it is signed? A: The parties can add clauses that comply with the law. Moving to a different work pattern needs both parties' approval, payment of the entitlements under the original contract, and MOHRE's procedure (Implementing Regulation, Art. 10).

Q: Does a labour contract cost anything? A: MOHRE says the service is free on its website and app apart from the federal charges, and a business service centre's commission is capped at AED 72. The work-permit fee depends on the company's category: AED 250–3,450 (u.ae).