Working without a work permit in UAE is not allowed – for you or for the company. The UAE labour law says nobody may work in the country without a permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), and employers who break this rule face fines of Dh100,000 to Dh1 million. If you think your permit was never issued, check it on the MOHRE website or app today, and complain to MOHRE if your employer refuses to fix it.
On 23 October 2026, MOHRE reminded companies about five violations that carry these fines. Gulf News reported the warning. The fines are for employers, but you are the one who loses salary and protection when papers are missing.
Is working without a work permit in UAE illegal?
Yes. Article 6 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (the UAE labour law) says it is not permissible to work in the UAE, and an employer may not recruit or employ any worker, without first getting a work permit from MOHRE. The same article also says the employer cannot charge you, directly or indirectly, for recruitment and employment fees.
Article 60, as amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024, sets a fine of at least Dh100,000 and up to Dh1 million for the employer in these cases:
- Employing a worker without a work permit.
- Recruiting a worker and then not giving them any work.
- Using a work permit for a purpose other than the one it was issued for.
- Closing or stopping the business without following the procedures to settle workers’ status and dues.
- Employing a juvenile in breach of the law.
What are the risks for me as a worker?
The Dh100,000–Dh1 million fines are aimed at employers. But working without a valid permit still hurts you in practical ways:
- No contract on record. Without an approved MOHRE contract, it is harder to prove your salary and start date in a dispute.
- Problems with residency. A work permit is linked to your residence visa. Without it, your stay in the UAE may not be legal.
- Visit visa danger. In January 2022, Dubai Public Prosecution warned that people who work on a visit visa without permission can face a fine, jail and deportation. Do not accept “start now, visa later” offers.
There is no single official penalty list for workers in every situation. It depends on your visa type and history, so ask MOHRE about your own case.
How can I check if I have a valid work permit and contract?
You can check this yourself, free, in a few minutes:
- MOHRE website (mohre.gov.ae): go to Services and choose “View Approved Contract”. Search by your Emirates ID number. An OTP comes to the mobile number linked to your Emirates ID. Enter it and open your contract.
- MOHRE app: log in with UAE Pass, open “My Dashboard” and scroll to “Contract”.
- New job offer, no Emirates ID yet: on the MOHRE website use the Transactions Inquiry service and choose “Enquiry for Job Offer”. Enter the transaction number from your offer letter and the company number. If nothing shows, ask the company why.
If your approved contract does not appear, or the company name is different from the place you actually work, treat that as a warning sign. Our guide on how to spot fake job offers in the UAE explains more red flags.
My employer has not issued my permit. What should I do?
- Ask in writing. Send a polite message or email to HR: “Please share my work permit and MOHRE contract. I have not received them.” Keep the reply.
- Keep evidence. Save your offer letter, salary messages, bank transfers, attendance photos and staff ID. The UAE government portal also says to keep a copy of the job offer you signed.
- Do not pay for your own visa. Recruitment and employment costs are the employer’s job under Article 6.
- Complain to MOHRE. Use the MOHRE app, the MOHRE website, or call the Labour Claims and Advisory Centre on 80084 (toll-free). For general questions, MOHRE’s call centre is 600590000. MOHRE lists no fee for filing a labour complaint.
MOHRE first tries to settle the dispute between you and the employer. If that fails, it can send the case to court. Do not wait too long: the law says claims are not heard after two years from the end of the job.
I am on the company’s books but they give me no work. Is that legal?
No. Recruiting a worker and then not giving them work is one of the five violations in Article 60. If you are kept “on paper” with no duties and no salary, write down the dates, keep any messages, and report it to MOHRE through the app or 80084.
What if the company closes without settling my status?
Closing the business without following the proper procedures for workers is also an Article 60 violation. The law also says money owed to workers gets priority over the employer’s other debts (after amounts due to the government and court-ordered family support). File a complaint with MOHRE as early as possible, while the company’s records still exist.
Want a new, legal job? Browse walk-in interview jobs or read job hunting on a visit visa: what is legal.
Quick answers
Can I start work while my permit is “in process”?
The law says the permit must come first. Ask the employer to show you the approved permit or contract before your first working day.
Who pays the Dh1 million fine?
Article 60 fines are for the employer, not the worker.
Which number do I call to complain?
Call 80084, MOHRE’s toll-free Labour Claims and Advisory Centre, or use the MOHRE app.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so check with MOHRE or the official UAE government portal for your own case.
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