UAE Labour Card: Complete Guide (Update 2025) – Everything You Need to Know.
If you are planning to start your career in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a labour card is one of the most important documents that assures your employment and your stay in the UAE is legal.
It is equally crucial for employers that all their employees have valid, updated labour cards. This guide will walk you through all the details you must know about the labour card, including its types (work permit types), importance, complete process of issuance, online access, and more.
Labour card, also referred to as “Work Permit”, is an essential identification document that ensures your legality to work in the UAE, issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or free zone relevant authorities.
The card contains your job information, so it’s your work ID. Information included;
- Name (Employee & Employer)
- Occupation
- Nationality
- Work Permit / Labour Card Number
- Card Expiry Date
- Contact Details
For Employers, it is mandatory to ensure issuance of cards within 60 days of an employee’s arrival to avoid any legal issues or fines.
Difference between Work Permit and Labour Card
People often use these terms interchangeably, but there is a basic difference between them.
Work Permit: It’s an initial approval from MOHRE, a “Green signal” that permits a person to work for a licensed establishment.
Labour Card: Issued after work permit approval from MOHRE, it’s a card that contains your employment information, and you have to carry it to prove your legal validity.
Who is Eligible?
All employees, whether /textUAE nationals or not, working under MOHRE or free zones, must have their labour cards.
Eligibility Criteria for Employees:
- Age: Not less than 18 and more than 60 years.
- Qualification: Must have relevant qualifications and expertise needed to perform their job.
- Medical Fitness: Employee must be physically fit for the job, have to pass a medical examination, and have a health certificate from MOHRE-approved centres.
- Documents: Valid passport, Sponsorship from a licensed employer.
Eligibility Criteria for Employers:
- Registered Employer: Must be a legally registered entity with a valid license.
- Maintain Employee Records: The employer must comply with the rules and regulations set forth by MOHRE and keep up-to-date records of all employees.
- Labour Quotas: Justified need for the foreign workforce, as per labor quotas.
- Expenses: Meet the expenses of card application and renewal fees.
Why is it Important to have a Labour Card – Benefits
- Record Purpose: Employment record maintained in the government system, your stay in the UAE becomes legal.
- Protection of Legal Rights: Your legal rights will be preserved and protected. You can check all details of the updated UAE Labour laws and become aware of your legal rights in the UAE.
- Entitlement of Benefits: Access to entitled employment benefits like earned leaves, health insurance, etc.
- Workplace Environment: Avoid unnecessary disputes, penalties, or fines. Make the workplace environment more safe, transparent, and well-regulated.
Types of Labour Card & Work Permit Visas
UAE has different kinds of labor cards and work permit visas according to the need and type of employment, to manage a diverse workforce.
| Types of Labour Cards & Work Permit Visa | Details |
|---|---|
| Work Permit for Foreign Workers (New Employment Visa) | Standard visa for recruiting workers from abroad, valid for 2 years. |
| Transfer Work Permit | Foreign employee needs when he has to change employer within the mainland without leaving country, approval from MOHRE required. Valid 2 Years. |
| Temporary Work Permit | Already in the UAE, have to work for another employer for a short-term period, project-based jobs, or to meet an urgent need, and then return to the original employer. Validity is 6 months and is one-time renewable only. |
| One-Mission Work Permit | Hire a professional for a specific job or time-defined project, one task & one-entry visa. |
| Mission Visa (Short-term work visa) | Urgent hiring for short projects, especially professionals like consultants, auditors from outside of the UAE. Valid for 90 days and renewable once. |
| Juvenile Work PermitF | For employees aged between 15 – 18 years, as per UAE labor law for minors. |
| Student Training Work Permit | Internships or practical training for students. |
| National Apprentice Permit | For skill development of Emiratis, to strengthen national talent. |
| Freelance Work Permit | For entrepreneurs and self-employed, especially working in the digital world. |
| Part-time Work Permit | For employees who work for more than 1 employer and work for limited hours for every job. |
| Work Permit Sponsored by Relatives | For dependants residing in the UAE under a family-sponsored visa, like parents, spouse, so they can contribute to the nation’s economy. Valid for 2 years. |
| Permit for Hiring Emirati or GCC Citizens | For UAE Nationals or GCC citizens. Valid for 2 years. |
| Golden Visa Work Permit | Have Long-term residency in the UAE (usually more than 10 years), no need special labour permit, includes investors, professionals, and scientists. Simplifies legal and residency requirements. Valid for 2 years. |
| Remote work permit (Virtual Work Residency Visa) | For employees who work for foreign employers but can enjoy UAE residency. |
Complete Process to get your UAE Labour Card 2025
Required Documents:
- Passport-size pictures
- Valid passport copy
- Copies of academic and professional documents
- Medical Examination reports
- Valid employment contract (Arabic & English)
- Entry permit
- Copy of employer’s license
- Any other document as required by MOHRE.
Step-by-Step Guide
The process for issuance of a labour card starts with the employer; these are the steps to get your card.
- Job Offer: UAE employment process starts with confirmed job offers from a UAE-licensed employer. The job offer is in the form of an official letter, which includes your position, your wage, and other terms.
- Work Permit: Your employer will apply to MOHRE on your behalf, so you will get your work permit.
- Entry Permit: On approval of the work permit, an entry permit will be issued (if outside from UAE).
- Medical Examination: Compulsory medical examination from the UAE or the native country through MOHRE-approved centers.
- Emiratis ID: Apply for your ID, required biometric verification. Emiratis ID is mandatory for all mainland residents.
- Residency Visa Application: A Residency visa is required for your residency in the UAE based on your job contract. Your employer will process your visa.
- Labour Card Application: After completion of all the steps above, and a residency visa in hand, your employer will apply for your labor card.
- Issuance of Labour Card: After the application is processed, a labor card will be issued normally within 10 days. Nowadays, mostly issued digitally, you can check online and receive them physically as well.
Process for Renewal, Modification, and Loss
Process of Renewal:
It is the responsibility of the employer to timely apply for renewal before the expiry date or within 50 days of post-expiration. Step-by-step guidelines for renewal are,
- Application: The Employer will forward the application to MOHRE.
- Submission of required documents: In addition to documents required for a new card, for renewal, you have to submit your previous labour card, which is expiring, and your Emiratis ID as well.
- Fees of Renewal: Payment of fees, fees vary from AED 250 to AED 3450, depending on the organisational and professional category.
- Category 1: AED 250 fully meets the emiratisation target criteria & follows WPS (wage protection system)
- Category 2: AED 600 (for skilled) to AED 2500 (unskilled), partially meeting emiratisation targets or WPS requirement.
- Category 3: AED 3000 to AED 3450 for companies with violations.
- Issuance of Renewal Card: You can access online or visit Tasheel centres.
Validity:
- Non-Government Employees: Typically, valid for 2 Years (Depends on work visa type).
- Government Employees: Valid for 3 years.
Modification in Current Status:
If any change in your current employment, like designation, salary, or any other important update, your employer needs to update your card through MOHRE.
How to Apply for a Lost or Damaged Labour Card in the UAE?
Digital access is available anytime by logging in through your credentials, but if you have lost your physical card then you have to follow following steps;
- Intimate the Employer
- Report through Local Police
- Required Documents: Passport, Photographs, original damaged card, copy of complaint, all verified through the labour inspection department.
- Payment of fees: Around AED 200
- Application for Replacement
- Issuance from MOHRE.
How to access your Labour card Number in the UAE?
- MOHRE App Android & IOS: For the first time, register & create an account by adding your details. After logging in, you can check the labour card section, where you can view your labour card.
- MOHRE Website: Open the official site, in the service section, select “Work Permit Inquiry” or “new Inquiry service” to check labour card & work permit status, and add your credentials to view the digital labour card.
- UAE Pass App: Download the app, first time you have to create an account by adding details, then after logging in, you can check MOHRE services, then in the labour card section, you can check your card.
- Tas’heel Service Centers: Find the nearest centre, bring all your informational documents, passport, ID, etc, Tasheel representatives will help you to access details of your card using MOHRE or E-forms program offered by ministry.
- Tasheel Uae Working hours: 8 am to 8 pm, Saturday to Thursday.
Conclusion
A Labour card is more than just a work permit; it is a crucial document. For employees, secure their rights in the UAE, and for employers mandatory to comply with MOHRE regulations. Understanding the complete details as mentioned above can secure both parties from unnecessary complications, penalties, or legal disputes, and make the workplace more transparent and well-regulated.
In conclusion, whether you are starting your career in the UAE or hiring talent for your business, keeping labour cards updated and valid should always be a top priority.
