UAE work permits: what changed and which documents to prepare
An 8 November report says some MoHRE forms require 75–97% fewer fields. Employers still need to choose the permit for the candidate’s status and prepare documents for the role.
What changed in the application
On 8 November 2026, Gulf News reported that under the Zero Bureaucracy programme, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) cut the number of fields in some forms by 75–97% and removed separate uploads for supporting documents in updated workflows. The percentages refer to form fields. The report does not identify the fields and uploads removed for each permit. RTS could not verify a single rollout date for all services.
The work permit requirement still applies. For example, the official MoHRE checklist for a temporary work permit still lists a passport, a photo and a job offer signed by the employer and worker. Education documents and a professional licence may be required depending on the role. The service page also provides for approval from the current employer for a temporary assignment with another employer, subject to specified exceptions.
How to choose the right permit
- The candidate is abroad. Use the overseas recruitment permit for a standard hire. A mission permit covers recruitment from abroad for a specific short-term assignment.
- The candidate already works in the UAE. A transfer permit applies when moving to a new employer after the previous employment ends. Temporary assignments and part-time work have separate categories.
- The candidate holds family-sponsored residence or Golden Residency. Each has a corresponding work permit. The employer submits the hiring application.
Example for a Dubai company
A MoHRE-registered company hires an accountant who lives in the UAE on family sponsorship. Choose the permit for a family-sponsored resident. Ask the candidate for their passport and current residence details, and confirm the job title and offer. Prepare an education document if the role requires it. After applying, wait for the permit before the employee starts work. A free zone company starts with its own free zone authority.
All 13 permit types
The number 13 refers to the permit types in the MoHRE catalogue. It includes permits for UAE and GCC nationals.
- Overseas recruitment
- Transfer to a new employer
- Hiring a family-sponsored resident
- Temporary work
- Recruitment from abroad for a specific project (mission permit)
- Part-time work
- Juvenile employment
- Student training or employment
- Hiring UAE and GCC nationals
- Hiring a Golden Residency holder
- Training a UAE national
- Freelance work
- Private tutoring