A Dubai manpower supply licence in 2026 costs AED 40,000–90,000 in the first year (all-in), requires Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) activity approval, and mandates a refundable bank guarantee per worker deployed. You must establish a mainland LLC; 100% foreign ownership is not permitted. Processing typically takes 10–15 working days once MOHRE clears your activity classification.
What Is a Manpower Supply Licence in Dubai?
A manpower supply licence (also called a labour supply or workforce outsourcing licence) permits your company to recruit, vet, and deploy workers to client organisations across the UAE. Unlike Dubai business setup for other sectors, manpower supply is activity-regulated by MOHRE and requires distinct approvals. Your firm acts as an intermediary—holding employment contracts with workers while assigning them to clients under service agreements.
Unsure if manpower supply fits your business model? Chat with DBS on WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 for a 10-minute clarity check.
Cost Breakdown: First-Year Expenses for a Manpower Supply Company
Setting up a manpower supply company in Dubai in 2026 typically costs between AED 40,000 and AED 90,000 in the first year. This all-in range covers:
| Cost Component | Indicative Range (AED) |
|---|---|
| Business licence (DET annual fee) | AED 1,500–3,500 |
| Company registration & memorandum | AED 2,500–4,000 |
| MOHRE activity approval letter | AED 500–1,500 |
| Bank guarantee (10–30 workers, refundable) | AED 25,000–60,000 |
| Office lease (first month + deposit) | AED 3,000–15,000 |
| Visa sponsorship & initial recruitment | AED 5,000–10,000 |
| Professional consultancy & documentation | AED 2,500–6,000 |
The bank guarantee is refundable and released once your licence status changes or operations wind down. Recurring annual costs (year 2+) drop to AED 15,000–30,000 as you renew the licence and adjust guarantees.
MOHRE Approval: The Critical Gating Step
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) must formally approve your company’s activity classification before the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) issues a licence. MOHRE evaluates your business plan, worker categories (e.g., administrative, technical, hospitality), and compliance framework.
Your application must include:
- A detailed labour supply operational manual
- Proof of office space (lease agreement)
- Shareholder & director background documentation
- Evidence of financial capacity (bank statement)
- Worker placement targets and client roster
MOHRE processing takes 5–10 working days; DET issues your licence within 3–5 days of that approval.
Bank Guarantee Requirement per Worker
The UAE enforces a mandatory refundable bank guarantee to protect deployed workers’ wages and benefits. The guarantee amount scales with your labour force:
- 10–20 workers: AED 25,000–35,000
- 21–50 workers: AED 35,000–60,000
- 51+ workers: AED 60,000 and upwards
This guarantee sits in a UAE-licensed bank account and is held throughout your licence validity. It is not an expense—the funds remain yours and are released upon application closure or workforce reduction. However, the bank charges a guarantee commission of roughly 1–1.5% annually.
Want to calculate your exact guarantee requirement? Email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com with your projected headcount.
Mainland LLC Structure & Ownership Rules
You must register your manpower supply company as a mainland LLC (limited liability company) in Dubai. Free zones such as JAFZA do not issue manpower supply licences; MOHRE jurisdiction applies only to mainland entities.
Regarding ownership: the UAE does not permit 100% foreign ownership of a manpower supply business on the mainland. You must secure a local UAE national or GCC investor as a majority or equity partner, or engage a licensed sponsor arrangement. Most entrepreneurs structure this as a 51% local + 49% foreign equity split, with management and operational control negotiated via shareholder agreement.
Not sure about ownership structures? Dubai business setup consultants at DBS can tailor a compliant model in 2–3 days.
Timeline: From Application to First Worker Deployment
A typical manpower supply setup proceeds as follows:
- Days 1–2: Document gathering & MOHRE activity pre-check
- Days 3–8: MOHRE formal approval
- Days 9–14: DET business registration & licence issuance
- Days 15–21: Bank guarantee activation, office fit-out, and recruitment
Total elapsed time: 10–15 working days from submission to operational readiness. Recruitment & worker placement occur in parallel, so you may deploy staff within 4–5 weeks of licence approval.
Difference from Tadbeer Domestic-Worker Centres
Do not confuse a manpower supply licence with a Tadbeer domestic-worker centre licence. Tadbeer is MOHRE’s scheme for recruiting and placing domestic helpers (maids, nannies, drivers for household use). Tadbeer centres focus on consumer-facing, home-based workers and are subject to separate compliance rules, lower fees (AED 10,000–20,000), and no bank guarantee. A manpower supply licence is for commercial, B2B outsourcing (office staff, logistics, security, hospitality, etc.). The two activities require different approvals and cannot be combined under one licence.
Unsure which licence you need? WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 for a no-charge 15-minute consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a manpower supply licence cost in Dubai in 2026?
First-year all-in cost ranges from AED 40,000 to AED 90,000, including DET business licence (AED 1,500–3,500), MOHRE approvals (AED 500–1,500), refundable bank guarantees (AED 25,000–60,000), office lease, and consultancy. Year-2 recurring costs drop to AED 15,000–30,000. The largest variable is the bank guarantee, which scales with your initial workforce size.
What MOHRE approvals are required for a manpower supply company in Dubai?
MOHRE must issue a formal activity approval letter classifying your company as a licensed manpower supply contractor before DET issues your business licence. You submit a business plan detailing worker categories (administrative, technical, hospitality, etc.), operational procedures, and financial capacity. MOHRE processing takes 5–10 working days. Approval is mandatory and precedes all other licensing steps.
Is a bank guarantee needed for a labour supply licence in Dubai?
Yes. A refundable bank guarantee is mandatory to protect worker wages and benefits. The amount scales with your workforce: AED 25,000–35,000 for 10–20 workers, AED 35,000–60,000 for 21–50 workers, and AED 60,000+ for 51+ workers. The funds remain yours and are released when you close or reduce your licence. The bank charges an annual commission of roughly 1–1.5%.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a manpower supply company in Dubai?
No. UAE regulations require a local UAE national or GCC national as an equity partner in a mainland manpower supply LLC. The typical structure is 51% local ownership + 49% foreign equity, with operational control and profit-sharing negotiated via shareholder agreement. You cannot establish a 100% foreign-owned manpower supply firm on the mainland.
How long does it take to set up a manpower supply business in Dubai?
Total elapsed time from document submission to operational readiness is 10–15 working days. MOHRE approval takes 5–10 days, DET licence issuance takes 3–5 days, and bank guarantee and office setup occur in parallel. Recruitment and worker deployment start immediately after licence approval, so you can deploy staff within 4–5 weeks.
What is the difference between a manpower supply licence and a Tadbeer domestic-worker centre?
A manpower supply licence covers B2B outsourcing of commercial workers (office, logistics, security, hospitality). A Tadbeer centre is MOHRE’s domestic-worker scheme for household helpers (maids, nannies, drivers). Tadbeer has lower fees (AED 10,000–20,000), no bank guarantee, and different compliance rules. The two licences are separate and cannot be combined.
Why must a manpower supply company be registered on the mainland, not in a free zone?
MOHRE, which regulates manpower supply activity, has jurisdiction only over mainland entities. Free zones such as JAFZA do not issue manpower supply licences. Labour regulations, worker protections, and compliance oversight are managed centrally by MOHRE, making mainland registration (DET) mandatory for this activity.
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