A Dubai manpower supply licence costs AED 40,000–90,000 in your first year (all-in), and requires formal approval from the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE), plus a refundable bank guarantee per worker placed. Your business must be structured as a Mainland LLC to operate legally in this sector.
What Is a Dubai Manpower Supply Licence?
A manpower supply licence permits your company to recruit, train, and deploy workers to third-party employers across Dubai and the wider UAE. This is distinct from operating a domestic-worker centre under Tadbeer (which serves household employment). Your Dubai business setup will fall under the Labour & Employment Services activity code, requiring explicit MOHRE sign-off. DBS Documents Clearing LLC has guided over 80,000 entrepreneurs through this process since 2009.
Need exact regulatory clarity for your sector? WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 for a free 20-minute scoping call.
2026 Cost Breakdown: Manpower Supply Licence
Budget AED 40,000–90,000 for your first-year all-in setup:
| Cost Component | Typical Range (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Licence (DET) | 1,500–2,500 | Annual; issued by Dubai Economy & Tourism |
| Office Space Setup (ejari, security, furnishing) | 8,000–15,000 | First-year deposit & basic compliance fit-out |
| MOHRE Approvals & Labour Bureau Registration | 3,000–5,000 | Manpower-supply activity classification |
| Bank Guarantee (per worker, 3–5 workers typical) | 15,000–45,000 | Refundable; AED 5,000–15,000 per worker |
| Legal & Compliance Documentation | 5,000–8,000 | Contracts, labour policies, ISO if required |
| PRO Services, Visas, Insurance (first cohort) | 8,000–14,000 | Estimate for initial staff onboarding |
Costs vary by workforce size, location (Mainland vs. free zone), and service scope.
MOHRE Approvals & Licensing Steps
The Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) must explicitly approve your manpower-supply activity before you legally operate. Here’s the sequence:
- Submit Manpower-Supply Activity Request: Declare your intended labour-supply category (domestic, construction, retail, hospitality, etc.) to MOHRE via your PRO or in-house contact.
- Bank Guarantee Lodgement: Provide a refundable guarantee (AED 5,000–15,000 per worker) through your UAE bank, held against worker compensation claims.
- Mainland LLC Registration: Confirm your company is registered as a Mainland LLC with the DED (Dubai Department of Economic Development, now part of DET). Free-zone manpower supply is restricted; Mainland is mandatory.
- Labour Bureau Enlistment: Once MOHRE approves, enlist with the central Labour Bureau to issue work permits.
- Annual Renewal: Trade licence, MOHRE classification, and bank guarantee all renew annually; factor in AED 2,000–3,500 per year thereafter.
Timeline: typically 4–8 weeks from submission to MOHRE approval, pending completeness of documentation.
Bank Guarantee Requirement Explained
Every manpower-supply licence must secure a refundable bank guarantee with the UAE Central Bank via your commercial bank. This guarantee protects workers’ wages and benefits if your company defaults. Calculate it as follows:
- Per-Worker Model: AED 5,000–15,000 per deployed worker (MOHRE discretion varies by worker category and nationality).
- Typical Guarantee for 5 Workers: AED 25,000–75,000.
- Refundability: The guarantee is refundable upon licence termination, provided no outstanding labour claims exist.
- Annual Top-Up: If you expand workforce numbers, you may need to increase the guarantee and pay a marginal premium.
Your bank and MOHRE will confirm the exact amount once your application is submitted.
Mainland LLC vs. Free-Zone Restrictions
Your manpower-supply business must be structured as a Mainland LLC (Liability Company) to engage in labour supply across Dubai and the UAE. Mainland means you can operate from any commercial office (not confined to a free zone). A few key points:
- Foreign Ownership: You may own 100% of a Mainland LLC if you are a non-Emirati; no Emirati partner is legally mandated (though a local service agent is recommended for smoother MOHRE interactions).
- Free-Zone Exception: Certain specialised free zones (e.g. DPW, RAK FZ) previously allowed manpower-supply licences, but these are being phased out or restricted. Confirm with your chosen free zone before committing.
- Tadbeer Domestic-Worker Centres: If you operate a household domestic-worker centre, that falls under Tadbeer (Ministry of Interior scheme) and has separate licencing, costs, and rules. This is not a general manpower-supply licence.
Ownership & Foreign Investor Rules
Yes, a 100% foreign-owned manpower-supply company is legally permissible in Dubai under current 2026 regulations. However:
- Mainland UAE Registration: You must hold a valid UAE residence visa and have a registered office address in Dubai (or elsewhere on Mainland UAE).
- Labour Sponsorship Authority: Your company must be the official sponsor of all workers you deploy (not labour brokers acting on your behalf).
- MOHRE Communication: MOHRE prefers dealing with a named Local Service Agent or in-country contact. Appointing one (typically AED 3,000–5,000 per year) accelerates approvals and compliance.
- Liability & Insurance: You are fully liable for worker welfare, wage payment, and legal compliance—ensure your professional indemnity and workers’ compensation insurance reflects this.
Our Dubai business setup consultants can walk you through foreign ownership structuring and risk mitigation.
Timeline & Next Steps
A typical manpower-supply licence setup takes 6–12 weeks from initial consultation to full operational approval:
- Weeks 1–2: Scope, feasibility check, activity classification with MOHRE.
- Weeks 3–4: LLC formation, office lease, bank account, bank guarantee arrangement.
- Weeks 5–8: MOHRE application, Labour Bureau enlistment, PRO labour-permit processing.
- Weeks 9–12: First worker placements, compliance audits, operational sign-off.
Variables include document turnaround, MOHRE workload, and whether all founders’ visas & clearances are already in place.
Ready to move forward? Contact DBS now for a bespoke timeline and cost estimate.
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, covering trade licence (DET), MOHRE approvals, office setup, bank guarantee (AED 5,000–15,000 per worker), legal documentation, and PRO services. Subsequent years typically cost AED 2,000–3,500 for renewals. Actual cost depends on workforce size and service scope.
What MOHRE approvals are required for a manpower supply company in Dubai?
The Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) must formally classify your company’s labour-supply activity, approve your bank guarantee, and register you with the central Labour Bureau before you can legally issue work permits. You’ll also need to submit manpower-supply category documentation (domestic, construction, retail, etc.). Processing takes 4–8 weeks.
Is a bank guarantee needed for a labour supply licence in Dubai?
Yes. A refundable bank guarantee (AED 5,000–15,000 per deployed worker) is mandatory and protects worker wages and benefits if your company defaults. For 5 workers, expect a guarantee of AED 25,000–75,000. The guarantee is refundable upon licence termination, provided no outstanding labour claims exist.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a manpower supply company in Dubai?
Yes, a non-Emirati can own 100% of a Mainland LLC manpower-supply company. You must hold a valid UAE residence visa and register a physical office. However, MOHRE prefers a named Local Service Agent (AED 3,000–5,000 annually) for smoother approvals and ongoing compliance interactions.
How long does it take to set up a manpower supply business in Dubai?
Typical timeline is 6–12 weeks from initial consultation to full operational approval. Weeks 1–2 cover scoping; weeks 3–4 cover LLC formation and office setup; weeks 5–8 cover MOHRE application and Labour Bureau enlistment; weeks 9–12 cover first deployments and compliance. Speed depends on document completeness and MOHRE workload.
What is the difference between a manpower supply licence and a Tadbeer domestic-worker centre?
A manpower-supply licence is for recruiting and deploying workers to any employer across sectors (construction, retail, hospitality, etc.). Tadbeer domestic-worker centres are regulated by the Ministry of Interior and exclusively place household domestic staff (maids, drivers, etc.) in private residences. Costs, rules, and MOHRE oversight differ significantly.
Can I operate a manpower supply business from a free zone in Dubai?
No. Manpower-supply licences require Mainland LLC registration; free-zone restrictions prevent general labour-supply activity. A few specialised free zones previously allowed this, but those are being phased out. Confirm with your accountant or PRO before committing to a free-zone location.
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