Recruiting on the mainland

Key provisions for recruiting foreign employees

After establishing a business and obtaining the required business licence, whether commercial, industrial, or professional, the employer must register their workforce under the company’s file so employees can legally work and reside in the UAE in accordance with labour laws and the regulations of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

When granting a work permit, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) takes several factors into consideration, including:

whether the employee possesses professional competence or academic qualifications needed in the country, and
whether the employee entered the country lawfully and satisfied the conditions of residency in the UAE.

Key entities involved in recruiting employees

At the federal level, the entities involved are Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).

At the local level, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs is involved.

Job offers work permits and contracts

Read about job offers, work permits and contracts.

Relevant links from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation:

Steps for recruiting an employee

There are two stages to complete the recruitment procedures for an employee under a new establishment.

Stage 1: Applying for work permits/labour cards

First, the employer must apply to MoHRE to officially register the establishment by opening a file and obtaining an establishment card and number linked to the business licence, enabling the company to operate and recruit employees.
After obtaining initial approval, the employer must apply for the establishment’s electronic signature card.
The ministry schedules a visit to inspect the establishment’s facilities, and after confirming there are no violations, issues the electronic signature card.
The electronic signature card is a prerequisite for the employer to apply for work permits for employees.

Required documents

a copy of the business licence
Establishment e-signature card
a colour photo with a white background of the worker
a copy of the worker's passport, valid for minimum of six months
Employee qualifications relevant to the required role, authenticated by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For certain professions such as doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and teachers, an approval letter from the relevant authority is required.

Approval of the number of employees in the establishment (Quota)

The number of employees a company can hire depends on the quota approved by the ministry. The ministry determines the quota according to the company’s legal status, the size of the work facilities, the projects undertaken by the establishment, and business requirements, with supporting evidence submitted by the employer. The approved quota may be amended upon the employer’s request and subject to ministry approval.

Other terms and conditions to consider

In addition to the signed job offer between both parties, the following conditions must also be met:

The worker must not have any existing valid work permit/labour card from another company.
The worker must not be below the age of 18 years.
The profession assigned to the worker must fit with the firm's activity.
The ministry requires a bank guarantee of AED 3,000 for each registered employee, deposited to the ministry’s account through one of the approved banks in the UAE.

Please note the following

The employer bears the cost of the above-mentioned guarantee, which may be refunded once the employee’s service ends and the labour card is cancelled.
The work permit shall be valid for a period of 60 days.
The employer must pay the approval fees and bank guarantee within the 60-day validity period of the work permit.
If payment is not made within the specified period, the permit is automatically cancelled, and the establishment must submit a new application if it wishes to proceed with the transaction.

Stage 2

After receiving the ministry’s initial approval, the employer must also apply to open a company file with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
Once approved and the establishment card is issued, the company will have an official file with the Directorate, allowing it to apply for and obtain work entry permits for new employees, which are also valid for two months.
During the two-month period, the employer must instruct the employee to complete the medical fitness test and apply for an Emirates ID through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, as well as obtain the labour card from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

After all the required documents are completed, the employee will be granted a residence visa based on the work permit, which will be stamped in the employee’s passport along with its full details and validity period.

The Work Bundle platform

Employers can complete the recruitment process of employees through the unified digital platform, titled ‘Work Bundle’, which streamlines the employment and residency process through one integrated application. It is a unified payment channel, and involves one-time data entry. The platform enables employers to complete procedures related to:

issuing and renewing work permits
residency procedures
Emirates ID issuance
medical fitness examinations
employment contract procedures.

This integrated process enhances efficiency, reduces processing time, and simplifies the recruitment journey for private sector establishments in the UAE.

Source: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation

Key provisions for recruiting foreign employees

Key entities involved in recruiting employees

Job offers work permits and contracts

Steps for recruiting an employee

The Work Bundle platform

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