Many factors set UAE’s job market apart from the rest of the world. A strong and stable economy, tax-free income, and diverse career opportunities are just a few things that make this region an ideal destination for job seekers from all over the world.

The UAE’s authorities have introduced several policies and rules to protect the rights of both its employees and employers. One key step in this direction is the labour card. Every candidate looking for work must always have this card with them when looking for a job in the UAE.

But what exactly is this labour card and how can you get one for yourself? This is what this blog is all about. So, keep on reading till the end to know everything there is about the labour card in the UAE.

• What is the UAE Labour Card 2025?

• UAE Labour Card Eligibility Criteria

• The Process for Getting a UAE Labour Card

• Required Documents

• The Applications Process

• Ways to Check Your UAE Labour Card Online

• Downloading the UAE Labour Card

• UAE Labour Card: Fee, Expiry, and Fines

• Modification or Renewal of the UAE Labour Card

• Benefits of the UAE Labour Card

What is the UAE Labour Card?

A labor card is a form of identification that every worker in the UAE must possess and carry with them at all times. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) or the relevant free zone authorities in the place of your work are responsible for issuing the UAE labour card. The labour card is a form of ID showing details regarding your work in the UAE.

This essential document for workers in the UAE establishes better employer and employee relations by facilitating the sharing of vital information. This information can also be used to determine employee benefits or for setting up payroll.

Initially, MoHRE issued physical labor cards but there was a change in the policy. Now workers get a digital version of the card that they can keep on their phones, or they can print these themselves if they prefer keeping a physical paper copy.  

Following is a list that shows the type of information you can find on your labor card:

• The employee’s name
• The name of the employer
• The employee’s labor card number
• The employee’s work permit number
• The employee’s occupation
• The nationality of the employee
• Card Expiration Date
• The employee’s personal identification number

UAE Labour Card Eligibility Criteria

Every employee in the UAE regardless of the nature of their work, nationality, or the nature of their sector, i.e., public or private must obtain a labour card and an appropriate work permit to show compliance.

Following are a few considerations in this regard:

• Every employee older than 18 and younger than 60 is eligible for the labour card.
• The employee must be academically qualified for the role.
• The employee must be physically and mentally fit and they must pass necessary medical examinations.
• Foreign employees must possess the relevant certificates from their home country.

As an employer, you need to pay attention to the following details:

• You must not possess expired labour cards.
• Employers must strive to keep their records in order.
• They must compensate the employees fairly in terms of salary and benefits based on their work.
• The businesses must adhere to every MoHRE guideline.
• The employers must provide the employees with the labour card within 60 days of their arrival.

Failure to do these things can lead to violations, which opens you up to fines and other penalties.

The Process for Getting a UAE Labour Card

Following are the main steps involved in the process of getting your UAE labour card:

Required Documents

First and foremost, you need to gather all the essential documents you will need to fill out the application. You can look at the following checklist for this purpose.

You will need:

• The latest photograph (of the employee)
• Company’s valid trade license Copy
• Copies of employees’ passports and their entry visas
• Health certificate of the employee
• Employment contract (3 copies)
• Academic credentials, depending on the job, i.e., a copy of a university certificate for a doctor, engineer, lawyer, etc.

The Applications Process

Following is the step-by-step process for obtaining a labor card in the UAE:

• Foreign workers first need a valid residency visa along with a work permit to get a job in the region. The residency visa shows you are allowed to live and work in the country, and it is essential for getting your work permit or labour card. 
• Next, you will need to obtain your work permit before legally starting a job in the UAE. Your work permit is mainly taken care of by the employer. You can usually get your labour card while applying for a work permit.
• Next, your employer needs to get a visa quota approval from the MoHRE.
• In the case of free zone companies, they must get this approval before the employee sets foot in the UAE.
• The applicant undergoes a background verification process and necessary security checks.
• They must get a signed contract letter in Arabic and English.
• The ministry then issues the entry visa “the pink visa” which gives the employee entry into the UAE.
• Next, the employee has to go through mandatory medical screening to obtain relevant documentation.
• They also need to provide additional documents as required in the application form and visit the Emirates ID center.
• After the fee payment, the labour card is issued to the candidate through their sponsoring company. 
• Once the permit is issued, the passport, Emirates ID, and work permit are stamped officially.

The entire application process for the UAE labour card takes between 2 to 3 weeks to process. By following the above steps, you can ensure that unnecessary delays are eliminated.

Ways to Check Your UAE Labour Card Online

Following are the two ways you can easily check your labour card number

• You can use the MoHRE app, which is available both for Android and iOS devices for this purpose. Simply log in to the app, click on your profile, and you will see every piece of information regarding your employment including labour card number, issue date, expiry date, etc. You can also see an electronic version of your labour card by clicking on “View Labour Card” from the app.
• You can also visit your local Tas’heel service center to get your employment details like labor card number, contract, etc., in person.

Downloading the UAE Labour Card

The UAE authorities no longer issue physical copies of this card. However, you are allowed to download and print this card yourself if you prefer to keep a physical copy with you at all times.

Here is what you need to do to download this card:

• Visit the official MoHRE website and head to the “Services” section.
• Now you can select “New Enquiry Services” and then click on “Choose a Service”.
• Next, you can choose “Print Electronic Work Permit” to proceed.
• Now you will need to add information like Work Permit Number, Transaction Number, Person Code, Date of Birth, and the security code that appears on your screen.
• Next, you can click on “Search” to see your details.
• At the top right corner is the option “Print”. Click on it and your card will be downloaded and printed instantly.

UAE Labour Card: Fee, Expiry, and Fines

Fees

Following are the labour card or work permit fees from inside the country, i.e., for valid residence visa holders:

• Work permit for persons sponsored by their kinship = AED 200
• Work Permit for those sponsored by their kinship, including a two-year labour card = AED 300 for the first category, AED 2,000 for the second, and AED 5,000 for the third.
• Juvenile Work Permit = AED 100
• Temporary Work Permit = AED 100
• Temporary work permit with 6-month labour card = AED 500
• Part-Time Work Permit = AED 100
• Part-time work permit with 1-year labour card = AED 500

Following are the work permit fees from outside the country for all employment types:

• Applying for a work permit = AED 200 for each worker
• Issuance of Work Permit  including Two Years Labour Card = AED 300 for Category 1, AED 600, AED 1,500, AED 200 for Category 2, AED 5,000 for Category 3
• Work permit (recruitment and employment of workers aged over 65 years from abroad including a two-year labour card) = AED 5,000
• Changing work permit = AED 200

Following are the fees for the Renewal of labour cards and Transfer of Employees from One Establishment to Another (All Contract Types)

• Labour Card Renewal – Two Years =
  AED 300 for Category 1,
  AED 600, AED 1500, AED 2000 for Category 2,
  AED 5000 for Category 3
• Issuing labour card instead of a lost or damaged card = AED 200
• Changing labour card details or employment contract details = AED 200
• Permit for transfer from one establishment to another = AED 200
• Worker transfer and employment permit, including two-year labour card = AED 300 for Category 1,
  AED 600, AED 1,500, AED 2,000 for Category 2,
  AED 5,000 for Category 3.

Expiration

The UAE labor card is valid for 2 years for private employees and for 3 years in case the employee works for a government entity. In both cases, the employee must renew their labour card within 50 days following the date of expiration.

Fines

Not applying for a new card within the specified period can lead to a fine of AED 500. To check your fines, you can visit the MoHRE website, click on “services”, and then on “new enquiry service”.

Then you can select “choose a service”, and click on “fine calculator”. Next, you can enter your card number and security code and click on “search” to see your labour card fines.

Modification or Renewal of the UAE Labour Card

Every employee must renew their labour card within 50 days after it expires. They can do it by visiting the Tas’heel center. The official government website allows you to view the application status of your labour card renewal.

You need to enter your IN number on the application receipt and you will receive the new card in about 10 days. 

You can also modify your labour card at Tas’heel center by providing the relevant required documents and the reasons for making the change. In some cases, you will need a letter of approval from the relevant government agencies to go through with the modification process.

Benefits of the UAE Labour Card

Following are the main benefits of the UAE labor card for employees:

• This card allows employees to access work-related benefits.
• Employees can input the card information into their payroll systems, which helps them better manage their health insurance.
• This card also makes it much easier to determine accurate work hours, sick day payments, and annual leaves.
• This card ensures the employers adhere to all UAE labor laws or employment regulations, including a 48-hour work week with 8 hours of work every day, as well as overtime capped at two hours for most sectors, etc.

Conclusion

The UAE labour card is an important document that every employee must possess to show compliance with labor laws and to ensure their rights are protected at all times.

This card allows workers to get fair wages, health insurance, and several other benefits. This is why anyone planning to work in the UAE must understand the labour card requirements.

By staying informed, maintaining the necessary documents, and following the key rules, it is possible to avoid violations and guarantee both the employers and the employees stay compliant with the UAE labour laws and regulations at all times.

Contact HRSG today to navigate the UAE labour card processes without errors. From obtaining a labour card to ensuring timely and accurate fee payments, we can assist you with everything you need.