Since 2016, the UAE has issued many resolutions enabling students to work and get trained at operating establishments. The latest is Ministerial Decree No. 519 of 2018 on Regulations and Conditions of Training and Employment of Students (PDF, 250 KB).

According to this resolution, any establishment may train students aged 15 years and above, on the condition of a written contract. The contract must include:

• the areas of training
• duration of the training period
• weekly and other holidays
• the value of the bonus, if any, and any privileges granted to the trainee.

Additionally, any establishment may recruit students aged 15 years and above during their academic holidays, for maximum three consecutive months each time. An employment contract must clarify the nature of work, its duration, the wage, weekly holiday and the number of daily working hours. 

Conditions for employing or training students

In addition to the general conditions listed in Article 5 of the UAE Labour Law, other conditions include:

• proof of the ‘student’ status
• a valid UAE residence visa for expatriate students
• a copy of Emirates ID
• in case of training, a ‘no objection’ certificate from the educational institute in which the student is enrolled.

The trained or employed student, is not entitled to end-of-service gratuity and any other leaves, except as stipulated in the contract.

* Text provided by MoHRE