UAE Work Permit Types for Pakistani Workers: All 13 MoHRE Permits, Validity and the AED 250 to 3,450 Fee
All 13 UAE work permit types from MoHRE, who each is for and how long it lasts, the AED 250 to AED 3,450 fee the employer pays, and the 4 rules for skilled.
The UAE has 13 types of work permit, all issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). Most Pakistani workers hold one of three: a permit to recruit a worker from outside the UAE, a transfer permit for moving between employers, or a permit for someone already on family sponsorship. Each of these runs for two years. Issuing or renewing a permit costs the employer AED 250 to AED 3,450, depending on the company's grade.
We read the full list on the UAE government portal, u.ae, on 10 November 2026. MoHRE supplies the page, and it was last updated on 19 October 2026. The table below shows every permit type, who it is for and how long it lasts. Knowing your permit type helps you check that your job offer matches what your employer applied for.
All 13 UAE work permit types in one table
MoHRE issues these permits to companies registered with it. The type depends on where the worker is and the kind of job.
| Permit type | Who it is for | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Recruit from outside the UAE | A new worker brought in from Pakistan or any other country | 2 years |
| 2. Transfer between establishments | A foreign worker moving from one UAE employer to another | 2 years |
| 3. Resident on family sponsorship | Someone already in the UAE on a family visa, such as a wife sponsored by her husband | 2 years |
| 4. Temporary work permit | A worker already in the UAE lent to another company for a set period, then back to the first employer | Limited period |
| 5. Mission work permit | A worker brought from abroad for one temporary job or time-bound project | Project period |
| 6. Part-time work permit | Fewer hours or days than full time, from inside or outside the UAE | Not stated on the page |
| 7. Juvenile work permit | Workers aged 15 to 18, under safety conditions | 1 year |
| 8. Student training and employment | A student aged 15 or more already in the UAE | 3 months |
| 9. UAE or GCC national | Emirati and other Gulf citizens | 2 years |
| 10. Golden visa holder | People inside the UAE who hold a Golden Residency visa | 2 years |
| 11. National trainee | UAE citizens in training linked to their qualification | 12 months, renewable |
| 12. Freelance work permit | Self-employed people, including foreigners on self-sponsored residence, with no employer | Not stated on the page |
| 13. Private teacher | Qualified people who give private lessons | 2 years, free |
The permits Pakistani workers use most
A worker who goes through a licensed Pakistani agent and the Protector of Emigrants usually lands on the first type, the permit to recruit from outside the UAE. Your employer applies for it before you fly.
When you change jobs inside the UAE, the new employer applies for a transfer permit. Before you resign, read our guide on the UAE resignation notice period of 30 to 90 days, so the move does not cost you a ban.
A wife or grown child on your family visa can work too. The employer applies for the family sponsorship permit, and you do not need to cancel the family visa. Our page on the UAE family visa salary rule covers who you can sponsor.
If you want a second job on top of your main one, that needs a part-time permit and MoHRE approval. We cover it in the UAE part-time work permit guide.
Conditions MoHRE checks before it issues a permit
The u.ae page lists five conditions. If one fails, the permit is refused, and you should not travel.
- The worker must be at least 18, except for the juvenile and student permits.
- The job title must match the company's business activity.
- The company's trade licence must be valid and free of violations.
- Jobs that need a licence, such as nursing or engineering, need that licence first.
- Someone legally allowed to act for the company must apply.
MoHRE may also refuse, stop renewing or cancel permits for a company that gives false papers, is fake or not really trading, or does not pay wages through the Wages Protection System. Late salary is a warning sign, explained in our UAE WPS salary rules.
Work permit fees run from AED 250 to AED 3,450
The fee to issue or renew a permit is AED 250 to AED 3,450. The amount depends on the company's MoHRE grade: A, B or C. Companies with a record of violations are placed in category C and pay more.
The employer pays this fee, not you. The u.ae labour rights page says recruitment, travel and residence costs fall on the employer, and that charging a worker recruitment fees is illegal in the UAE. If an agent in Pakistan asks you for the "permit fee", ask for a written breakdown and check it against the legal limit on overseas job agent fees.
| Who pays | What |
|---|---|
| Employer | Work permit issue and renewal, AED 250 to AED 3,450 |
| Employer | Recruitment, travel and residence costs |
| Employer | Fines for issuing or renewing a permit late |
Your skill level decides more than you think
MoHRE sorts every job into 9 professional levels, based on the International Labour Organization's job codes. Levels 1 to 5 cover managers, professionals, technicians, office and writing jobs, and service and sales jobs. Levels 6 to 9 cover farm workers, craftsmen in construction, machine operators and simple jobs.
MoHRE counts you as skilled only if all four of these are true:
- your job is at level 1 to 5
- you hold a certificate above Matric and Inter level (above secondary)
- the certificate is attested by the competent authorities
- your monthly salary, without commission, is at least AED 4,000
Get your degree attested in Pakistan before you leave. It is much harder from Dubai. The steps are in our page on UAE work visa attestation.
Cancelling a work permit when you leave a job
The employer cancels the permit through MoHRE. The u.ae page says the company must confirm that the worker has received all dues, and must clear any fines first. Do not sign a cancellation form that says you were paid unless you were, including your end-of-service gratuity.
If something is wrong, file a complaint before you fly home. Our MoHRE labour complaint guide has the steps.
Common questions
How many types of work permit are there in the UAE?
13, according to MoHRE's page on u.ae, updated 19 October 2026.
How long is a UAE work permit valid?
Two years for the main types, including recruitment from abroad, transfer and family sponsorship. Juvenile permits last one year and student permits three months.
Who pays for a UAE work permit?
The employer. The fee is AED 250 to AED 3,450 depending on the company's grade, and charging a worker recruitment fees is illegal.
Can my wife work in the UAE on my family visa?
Yes. Her employer applies for the work permit for a resident on family sponsorship, which lasts two years.
Can a Pakistani get a UAE freelance permit?
The freelance permit is open to individuals, including foreign nationals on self-sponsored residence visas. It does not need an employer.
What makes a worker skilled in the UAE?
A job at level 1 to 5, an attested certificate above secondary level and a salary of at least AED 4,000 a month.
Last checked 10 November 2026 against the u.ae pages on work permits (updated 19 October 2026), professional levels of jobs (updated 12 August 2026) and labour rights (updated 15 October 2026), all supplied by MoHRE.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
