A UAE labour card is the official record that you are legally employed by a specific company and protected under UAE labour law. It is issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) for mainland jobs, or by the relevant free zone authority for free zone jobs. It is the physical or digital proof of your underlying work permit, typically costs between AED 250 and AED 3,450 for a two-year term depending on the employer’s MOHRE category, and must be renewed before it expires to avoid fines.
What Is a UAE Labour Card?
A labour card is an official employment document confirming that a worker is legally employed by a named UAE company. It ties one employee to one employer and carries the worker’s name, job title, employer, nationality, personal ID number, work permit number, labour card number and expiry date.
You will also see the term work permit used almost interchangeably. Modern MOHRE terminology leads with “work permit” as the legal authorisation to work, while “labour card” is the card that evidences it. When an employer says they are “processing your labour card,” they mean securing your MOHRE work permit and its card — both sit in the same file and both must be valid before you start work.
Who Issues the Labour Card?
Two bodies issue labour cards / work permits, depending on where the company is registered. MOHRE issues them for mainland private-sector companies — the route most employees in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the other emirates take. Free zone authorities (such as DMCC, IFZA or JAFZA) issue their own work permits for companies licensed inside their zone, under their own rules and fees. Government employees follow a separate framework, and domestic workers (maids, drivers, nannies) are handled under a dedicated system.
Who Needs a Labour Card in the UAE?
Most private-sector employees need one. In short:
- Private-sector mainland staff — anyone employed by a UAE-registered mainland company.
- Sponsored foreign workers — expatriates on a company-sponsored employment visa.
- Free zone employees — who receive an equivalent work permit from their free zone authority instead of MOHRE.
Workers must generally be aged 18 or over, hold the qualifications the role requires, and clear a medical fitness test before the card is issued.
The card matters on both sides: for employees it proves employment and protects contracted pay and benefits in a dispute; for employers, keeping every worker on a valid card is a compliance obligation, since staff without one invite fines and can block future visa quotas.
Documents Required for a UAE Labour Card
Gather the following before applying — mismatched paperwork is the biggest cause of delay:
- Recent passport-size photograph of the employee
- Copy of the company’s valid trade licence
- Copy of the company’s MOHRE establishment card
- Copies of the employee’s passport and entry visa
- Employee’s medical fitness certificate
- Signed employment contract (usually in Arabic and English)
- Attested academic or professional certificates for regulated roles (e.g. doctors, engineers, lawyers)
How to Get a Labour Card: Step by Step
The employer drives most of this. The typical sequence is:
- Confirm the employer is registered. The company must hold a valid MOHRE establishment card before requesting any work permit.
- Obtain visa quota approval. The employer applies to MOHRE to hire, based on the company’s category and quota. Free zone companies get equivalent approval from their zone authority.
- Apply for the work permit. With quota approved, the employer submits the application; the labour card is issued as part of this file.
- Security and background check. The applicant is screened as standard.
- Entry permit issued. MOHRE issues an entry visa (the “pink visa”) letting the employee enter or change status inside the UAE.
- Medical test and Emirates ID. The employee completes the mandatory medical fitness test and registers biometrics for the Emirates ID.
- Sign the contract and pay fees. Both parties sign the MOHRE contract and the employer pays the work permit / labour card fee.
- Residence visa stamping. The residence visa is stamped and the work permit finalised — the labour card is now active.
Processing time: a new labour card typically takes around two to three weeks from a complete application to an active card, assuming documents are in order and the medical and Emirates ID steps are booked promptly. Errors, unpaid company fines or an expired medical certificate can stretch this out.
UAE Labour Card Cost by Company Category
MOHRE fees are not flat — they depend on the employer’s category, a tiered system that rewards strong compliance and charges more from companies with a weaker record. The card is usually issued for two years. The figures below are typical ranges and a guide only; MOHRE fees change periodically and vary with skill level, permit type and add-on charges, so confirm the live figure before budgeting.
| MOHRE Category | Compliance Level | Typical Fee (2-year term) |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | High — pays salaries on time via WPS, meets Emiratisation targets, mostly skilled staff | Around AED 250 |
| Category 2 | Moderate — broadly compliant; sub-tiered (A/B/C) by skilled-to-unskilled ratio | Around AED 1,200 |
| Category 3 | Low — weaker compliance record, more reliant on low-skilled labour | Around AED 3,450 |
A company’s mix of skilled versus unskilled workers can also move it between tiers. On top of the core permit fee you may see separate charges for the medical test, Emirates ID and residence visa — the labour card is one line in a larger onboarding bill. Timely WPS salary payments are one of the clearest ways an employer stays in a favourable category (see our Wage Protection System guide).
How to Check Your Labour Card Status Online
You do not need to guess where an application stands. There are two easy ways:
- MOHRE website — log in with your establishment (employer) credentials, open the labour card / work permit services section, and enter the transaction or application number.
- MOHRE app or UAE Pass — sign in and enter the employee’s passport or unified (UID) number to view the current status and, where available, a digital copy of the card.
Common status labels are Pending (received, not yet reviewed), Under process (documents being verified), Approved (issued and ready to download) and Rejected (with a stated reason).
Labour Card Renewal: Timeline and Process
A labour card is generally valid for two years (free zone terms follow the zone authority and can differ). Start renewal roughly 30 days before expiry so there is no gap in legal status. Renewal mirrors the first issue: an updated medical test where required, a current employment contract and the renewal fee. Once approved, the renewed card is usually issued within about ten days.
You can also update details on an existing card, such as a job-title change, through the same channels. Regulated roles (medical or teaching staff) may need a government approval letter first.
Penalties for an Expired Labour Card
Letting a labour card or work permit lapse is a compliance breach for the employer and a legal risk for the employee. Consequences can include fines that accumulate the longer the card stays expired, blocks on other permits, and — for serious or prolonged violations — labour bans or deportation. Because the fines mount over time, renewing early is almost always cheaper than fixing a lapse.
Common Mistakes That Delay a Labour Card
Most delays trace back to a few avoidable errors: missing documents or details that do not match across the passport, visa and contract; unpaid fines on the company’s establishment card; typos in the employee’s personal data; an expired medical certificate; or missing signatures on the contract. A five-minute check before submission routinely saves weeks of back-and-forth.
Let DBS Handle Your Labour Card and PRO Work
Work permits, establishment cards, medical typing, Emirates ID and residence visa stamping all sit in one file — and a single wrong entry can stall the lot. Dubai Business Services (DBS) manages the full PRO, visa and labour services workflow end to end, from a new hire’s first work permit to on-time renewals. Contact DBS today to process a labour card right, first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a labour card in the UAE?
Your employer applies on your behalf through MOHRE (mainland) or your free zone authority. They upload the required documents — trade licence, establishment card, your passport and visa, the signed contract and medical certificate — and pay the work permit fee. Once your Emirates ID and residence visa are processed, the labour card is issued.
How much does a UAE labour card cost?
The core two-year fee typically ranges from around AED 250 for a Category 1 employer to around AED 3,450 for Category 3, with Category 2 in between. These are indicative figures that change periodically and exclude related costs such as the medical test, Emirates ID and residence visa, so confirm the current amount before you budget.
How long is a UAE labour card valid, and when should I renew it?
Most labour cards are valid for two years (free zone cards follow the zone’s own term). Start the renewal about 30 days before expiry to avoid a gap; once approved, the renewed card is usually issued within around ten days.
Is a labour card the same as a work permit?
They are closely linked. The work permit is the legal authorisation to work for a specific employer; the labour card is the record that evidences it. MOHRE increasingly uses “work permit” terminology, but in everyday UAE usage the two refer to the same file, which must be valid before you start work.
Can I work for another company with the same labour card?
No. A labour card links you to one employer only. To work elsewhere you must transfer your work permit or obtain a new one with the new company. Working without a valid labour card is unlawful and can lead to fines, a labour ban or deportation.
