MOHRE Work Permit in UAE: How to Apply, Requirements & Processing Time

MOHRE work permit

A mohre work permit is the official permission that allows a person to work legally for an employer in the UAE private sector. It is issued under the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and links the employee to a specific job and company.

For most new hires, the mohre work permit is the starting point of the employment process before residency steps are completed. In this guide, you will learn how the mohre work permit application works in practice, what documents are usually required, and what processing time you should plan for in 2026.

You will also see where a regulated Typing Centre in Dubai can reduce errors, speed data entry, and help you track updates when timelines feel unclear.

A mohre work permit is not the same as a residence visa. Think of it as the labour approval that enables you to work under UAE labour regulations while immigration steps (medical fitness, Emirates ID, residency) follow through the relevant channels.

In most standard employment journeys, the employer applies for the mohre work permit through official channels such as MOHRE smart services or approved centers. MOHRE then reviews the request against quota rules, company compliance, and employee eligibility.

If you want hands-on assistance with forms and document checks, Arabian business center supports government transactions as an authorized service partner.

 

Who needs a mohre work permit?

You typically need a mohre work permit if you will work for a private-sector employer under MOHRE. This includes many common employment visa cases and work authorizations such as new employment, job changes, and certain temporary work arrangements.

Free zone and government entities often follow different labour authority processes, so the correct route depends on your sponsor and jurisdiction. When in doubt, confirm the labour channel before you submit any application.

Mohre work permit requirements in UAE

The exact mohre work permit requirements can vary by job category, nationality, and whether you are inside or outside the UAE at the time of application. Your employer is the formal applicant in most cases but the employee’s documents must be accurate and consistent.

Commonly requested items include:

  • Passport copy with sufficient validity
  • A personal photo that meets UAE standards
  • Education certificate if the role requires it (attested when applicable)
  • Offer letter or employment contract details
  • Entry status details if you are already in the UAE

If your documents need legalization steps, document attestation and certified translation should be completed before submission. This is a frequent reason mohre work permit files go into clarification.

For applicants and employers who prefer assisted submissions, working with a Typing Centre in Dubai can help ensure names, passport numbers, and job titles match across every record.

How to apply for a mohre work permit (step by step)

A mohre work permit is usually initiated by the employer. The application is submitted through MOHRE digital portals or through authorised centers that provide Tasheel typing and submission support.

Employer side: application and approvals

In a typical mohre work permit workflow, the employer prepares the job offer details and uploads the required documents. The company’s MOHRE profile must be compliant, including valid establishment records and labour-related requirements.

Employers that do not want their HR team handling every submission often use a regulated typing center to reduce avoidable typing errors and missing attachments.

Employee side: what you must do before and after approval

Once the mohre work permit is moving forward, the employee must keep documentation consistent and respond quickly if additional information is requested. After labour approval, the employment visa and residence visa steps follow through immigration processes.

If your end goal is a full employment pathway, you can also review the broader WORK VISA process so you understand how labour approval connects to entry permit, medical fitness, Emirates ID, and residency confirmation.

Processing time for mohre work permit in 2026

The processing time for a mohre work permit can be fast when documents are clean and the employer record is compliant. It can take longer when there are mismatches in names, unclear scans, missing attestations, or quota and classification issues.

To set realistic expectations, here is a practical breakdown of where time is typically spent.

Stage in the Journey What Happens Typical Time Range Common Delay Causes
Submission and Data Verification Application is filed and checked for completeness 1 to 3 working days Blurry passport copy, wrong job title, missing attachment
MOHRE Review and Initial Decision MOHRE reviews eligibility and employer compliance 2 to 7 working days Company compliance flags, role classification questions
Post Approval Next Steps Labour stage is completed and immigration steps proceed Varies by case Medical appointment timing, Emirates ID biometrics

MOHRE timelines can also shift during peak periods and public holidays. For some applicants, consolidated government initiatives may shorten the total end-to-end journey when systems are aligned. Arabian Business Centre explains this newer fast-track approach in Work permit visa in 5 days as a reference point for what streamlined processing can look like in suitable cases.

If you need official references, MOHRE publishes service information through its official portal and UAE government guidance is also available on the UAE digital government platform.

Where Tasheel and typing centres fit into the process

Many people hear about “Tasheel” and assume it is a separate work permit authority. In reality, Tasheel centers support MOHRE transactions and help with data entry, submission, and follow-up for labour services.

Using a regulated typing center dubai can be especially helpful when:

  • The applicant has multiple name spellings across documents
  • The role needs education verification or attestation
  • The employer needs guidance on correct labour classification
  • The file requires quick resubmission after a clarification

For businesses that handle multiple employees, a full-service UAE typing center workflow also reduces back-and-forth by validating documents before submission.

Tips to avoid delays and rejections

A mohre work permit delay is often caused by small issues that are preventable. Focus on accuracy and consistency before you file.

Ensure the following are correct:

  • Passport name spelling matches the contract and application
  • Photo format meets UAE requirements
  • Education documents are attested when required for the job category
  • Employer details align with MOHRE establishment records

When you use an authorized centre like Arabian Business Centre for your mohre work permit submission, the main benefit is fewer avoidable errors at the typing stage plus clearer tracking support.

Conclusion

A mohre work permit is the core labour approval that makes employment legal in the UAE private sector and it sets the foundation for the rest of the residency journey. To apply successfully, prepare the right documents, ensure every detail matches across records, submit through the correct channel, and plan for realistic processing time based on compliance and document quality. If you want help from a trusted Typing Centre in Dubai, Arabian Business Centre can support your mohre work permit process end to end. Contact us to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

 A mohre work permit is MOHRE approval that allows an employee to work legally for a specific private-sector employer in the UAE.

 Mohre work permit processing time varies by case but many straightforward applications are decided within a few working days while complex files can take longer.

 In most cases the employer applies for the mohre work permit through MOHRE channels while the employee provides documents and completes required next steps.

 Common requirements include a passport copy photo and job-related documents such as an attested certificate when the role requires it.

No. A mohre work permit is the labour authorization while the employment visa and residence visa steps are handled through immigration processes after labour approval.