Atif works as an accountant in Dubai. Last month, his bank rejected a salary certificate because his Dubai labour card status showed “Expired.” His employer missed the renewal deadline by three weeks. It took 10 days to fix. He almost lost a home loan.
Millions of private-sector employees in the UAE depend on a valid work permit. A small lapse can block salary transfers, bank requests, and visa renewals. Many workers do not check until a problem shows up.
This guide shows you how to check a UAE labour card fine and permit status through MOHRE. You can also find your card number, download the e-Permit, and check current work permit fees. Your permit dates can also affect your final settlement.
Use our Gratuity Calculator UAE to estimate your entitlement.
Quick Checklist Before You Worry
Check these four things before troubleshooting any work permit issue. Most problems resolve at the portal level. Starting with the right check saves time and stops a small issue from growing into a formal complaint.
Quick Checklist for UAE Labour Card: Portal selection, Confirm Status, Save PDF, Secure Login.
- Check status in the right place: MoHRE (mainland) or your free zone portal (free zone).
- Confirm the result: Active, Under process, Expired, or Cancelled.
- Save the e-Permit PDF and note the expiry date.
- If anything looks wrong, ask HR/PRO for the application or transaction reference in writing.
What Is a UAE Labour Card in 2026?
A UAE work permit is your official record that proves you can legally work for one specific employer. MoHRE issues it for all mainland jobs. Free zone authorities issue their own version for free zone workers. In 2026, the permit exists as a digital e-Permit PDF. There is no physical plastic card.
In everyday use, people often say “labour card” to mean the work permit record (or the free zone equivalent). In official systems, it appears as a work permit / e-Permit.
Your e-Permit usually shows your name, nationality, employer, and Establishment ID. It also lists your occupation, key reference numbers (such as Person Code or permit number), and issue and expiry dates. Salary isn’t shown. Use your registered contract and salary payment records (WPS for many mainland roles) for salary proof.
2026 update: The Work Bundle
The Work Bundle under the Zero Bureaucracy Programme combines labour and visa services via workinuae.ae. Employers handle permits, visas, and Emirates ID in one workflow. You still check status through the MoHRE app.
An e-signature card is a separate digital signing tool. It isn’t a work permit. Don’t confuse the two.
Emirates ID vs Residence Visa vs Labour Card (work permit)
These records are connected but not interchangeable. Emirates ID proves your identity, residence visa is your permission to stay in the UAE, and the labour card/work permit is your legal permission to work for one employer (via MoHRE for mainland jobs or a free zone authority for free zone jobs).
Who Needs a Work Permit in the UAE?
Almost every private-sector employee. Mainland workers get theirs from MoHRE. Free zone workers (JAFZA, DMCC, DAFZA) get theirs from their zone authority. Domestic workers follow Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022.
| Item | Mainland (MoHRE) | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | MoHRE | Free Zone Authority |
| Where to check | MoHRE app / UAE PASS | Free zone portal |
| What you download | e-Permit PDF | Zone permit / work ID |
Your Emirates ID is your identity record. Your residence visa lets you live here. Your work permit lets you work for one employer. You need all three.
Do not assume every UAE labor card costs AED 250. MOHRE lists a AED 50 federal fee for a Golden Visa work permit. Standard permits generally require workers to be at least 18. Ages 15 to 17 use a separate juvenile permit. Employers cannot charge workers recruitment or employment costs.
What Types of Work Permits Are Available in the UAE?
MoHRE issues several permit types for mainland workers, each suited to a different employment situation. Free zone workers get their permit from their own zone authority instead of MoHRE. The list below covers the most common types.
- Standard work permit (most private-sector employees)
- Part-time work permit
- Freelance work permit: MOHRE has published AED 250 for a two-year freelance permit in its fee guidance. Check the current MOHRE fee before applying. Free zone freelance permits use separate fees.
- Juvenile work permit (ages 15 to 18, with restrictions)
- Temporary work permit
- One-mission permit (short-term assignments)
- Transfer permit (moving between employers)
- Student training permit
- National apprentice permit
Who Is Eligible for a UAE Work Permit?
Most standard MOHRE work permit services require workers to be at least 18. MOHRE does not state a general age-60 maximum for standard permits.
Typical age ranges:
- 15 to 17: Juvenile permit, with restrictions
- 18 and above: Standard permit, subject to the service conditions
How Can I Check My UAE Labour Card Status Online?
To do a labour card status check, mainland employees use the MoHRE app with UAE PASS login. Free zone employees use their zone portal, not MoHRE. Status will show as Active, Under Process, Expired, or Cancelled. Download the e-Permit PDF and note the expiry date. Checking the wrong portal is the most common reason a permit appears missing.
MoHRE App (Fastest Method)
- Install the MoHRE app and UAE PASS app.
- Sign in to MoHRE using UAE PASS.
- Open Work Permit / Contract section.
- Check status and expiry date. Download the PDF.
On the MoHRE website, use Services > Print Electronic Work Permit. Enter your Person Code, DOB, and Transaction Number. Free zone employees should use their zone portal instead.
| Status | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Valid for listed employer | Save PDF, note expiry |
| Under Process | Being reviewed | Ask HR for reference number |
| Expired | No longer valid | Push HR for renewal |
| Cancelled | Record closed | Settle final dues |
| No record | Wrong portal or data error | Confirm MoHRE vs free zone |
Critical Tip: Ask HR/PRO for the application/transaction reference in writing and save it for follow-ups.
Illustrative Example: Sahar needed a “Dubai labour card” copy for her bank. MoHRE showed “Expired.” She asked HR and found the renewal was “Under Process.” After the renewal showed as under process/updated, she downloaded the e-Permit PDF and shared it with the bank.
What Are the Fines for an Expired Labour Card?
An expired UAE labour card costs AED 200 a month in MoHRE fines, capped at AED 2,000 per work permit. The fine starts after the 60-day grace period ends. A part month counts as a full month, so a three-week delay still costs AED 200. Working with no valid permit at all is a separate and more serious offence. It carries higher penalties than a late renewal. Check your own fine in the MoHRE app.
| Violation | Fine | Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to renew the work permit within 60 days after expiry | Monthly fine (varies) generally AED 200/month | AED 2,000 |
| Failure to submit the employment contract within the required 60-day period | Monthly fine (varies) generally AED 100/month | AED 2,000 |
| Unauthorized work (no permit) | Much higher | Case-dependent |
Employer penalties:
Article 60 sets fines for employers who violate UAE work permit rules or create fictitious employment records. Penalties can reach AED 1 million, with higher total exposure when several workers are involved as detail below:
- Employing a worker without the required permit can bring fines from AED 100,000 to AED 1 million.
- Misusing work permits carries the same AED 100,000 to AED 1 million penalty range.
- Fictitious employment carries fines from AED 100,000 to AED 1 million.
- The fictitious employment penalty multiplies by the number of workers involved.
- Article 62 caps multiplied employer fines at AED 10 million.
- Employers must repay government incentives received through fictitious employment.
- Before judgment, MOHRE may settle a fictitious employment case for at least AED 50,000, plus repayment of government incentives.
How Do I Check My Labour Card Fine?
To check a labour fine, open the MoHRE app or the MoHRE website fines inquiry service. Enter your permit number or transaction reference. Your fine shows against your work permit record. Free zone workers check their own zone portal instead.
Your total depends on how many months have passed since the grace period ended. Confirm the exact amount in the MoHRE app, since fines can change.
Note the amount shown, then follow the payment steps below.
MoHRE Fines Inquiry Service
No app installed? Use the MoHRE website instead.
- Go to mohre.gov.ae and open Services.
- Select the Fines Inquiry service.
- Enter your work permit number or transaction reference.
- View your outstanding fine and the total amount due.
This works for mainland permits only. Free zone workers use their own zone portal instead.
Illustrative Example: Saad found his permit expired two months past the grace period. MoHRE showed AED 400 in fines (AED 200 x 2). He sent HR a written request with a deadline. The company renewed within a week and paid the fine.
How Do I Pay My Labour Card Fine?
Pay the fine online with a debit or credit card, through the MoHRE app or website. Prefer to pay in person? Tas’heel centres accept payment too. Most employees settle it as part of the renewal transaction itself. Keep the payment receipt with your renewed e-Permit PDF. Do not confuse a work-permit fine with an immigration overstay fine.
Person Code in MOHRE vs Labour Card Number
Your Person Code is a 14-digit identifier that stays the same across jobs. Your card number is tied to one employer and changes when you switch. Both appear in the MoHRE app and on your e-Permit PDF.
You need the Person Code to use “Print Electronic Permit” on the MoHRE website. If you are doing a UAE labour card check and cannot find these numbers, ask your HR or PRO.
How Does the Application Work?
Your employer runs most steps through MoHRE or workinuae.ae. You complete the medical test, Emirates ID biometrics, and e-sign via UAE PASS. The Work Bundle reduces the integrated process to about five working days. Documents needed: passport copy, signed contract, attested certificates (if required), and medical result. Ask HR before paying for attestation. Not all roles require it.
- Employer prepares job offer and e-contract (English + Arabic).
- Employer applies for permit approval.
- Entry permit or status change is processed.
- You complete medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.
- Residence visa is done. The e-Permit appears in MoHRE. ILOE insurance may be required.
UAE Labour Card Fees: How Much Does a Work Permit Cost?
For a standard two-year MOHRE work permit for a worker recruited from overseas, the application fee is AED 50. The permit fee is AED 250 for Category 1, AED 1,200 for Category 2, or AED 3,450 for Category 3. Other work permit types can use different fees. Your employer covers all official government fees. Medical tests and Emirates ID are extra costs and apply separately.
| Service | Cat 1 (AED) | Cat 2 (AED) | Cat 3 (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Issuance / Renewal (2 years) | 250 | 1,200 | 3,450 |
| Modification | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Freelance / self-employment permit | 250 (two years) | ||
Note: Other costs are billed separately by other authorities. Emirates ID fees are set by ICP, medical fitness fees by the local health authority, and the MoHRE service-centre commission is capped at AED 72 per service. Confirm current amounts with ICP, the health authority, and MoHRE before paying.
How Do You Renew, Modify or Cancel a Work Permit?
Renewal is employer-driven through MoHRE or a Tas’heel/Tawjeeh centre. Your employer submits the renewal. Follow up with HR at least 30 days before expiry. To modify details, your employer files a correction with supporting documents. When leaving, cancel the work permit before the residence visa. Never sign a cancellation form before your dues are fully settled.
After renewal, download the new e-Permit and check the expiry date. If details are wrong (name, job title), report to HR in writing. You may need to e-sign through UAE PASS.
When leaving, cancel the work permit first, then the residence visa. Don’t sign the cancellation until your dues are settled. Use our Gratuity Application Letter UAE, 6 Free Templates to request your EOSB in writing.
How Does Your Permit Affect Gratuity?
Your work permit links to your official employment record. Key items like your employer, job title, and start date must match your registered contract. Article 51 calculates gratuity using continuous service and your last basic wage. Check your recorded service dates and basic wage before settlement.
Leaving your job? Check your final payout using your actual service period and last basic wage.
If your contract shows a lower basic salary than agreed, your end of service benefits will be lower. Fix errors before signing settlement papers. For more on rights, see our Labour Law Guide.
What Should I Do If My Work Permit Has a Problem?
If your work permit has a problem, first identify whether MOHRE or a free zone authority issued it. Then check the official record before requesting a replacement or correction. Keep your work permit number, transaction reference, and screenshots. If your employer does not correct a MOHRE permit issue, you can use MOHRE’s complaint channels.
What If My UAE Labour Card or Work Permit Is Not Showing?
If your MOHRE permit is not showing, use the official inquiry service first. With Emirates ID, request the OTP linked to that ID. For a transaction search, enter the transaction number, passport number, nationality, and date of birth. You can also check your records through the MOHRE app.
If the record still does not appear, ask HR or your PRO to confirm your work permit number or transaction reference. Check that you are searching the correct authority. Free zone workers should use their own free zone authority’s services instead.
What If My UAE Labour Card Is Lost or Stolen?
If you cannot access your e-Permit, first check whether the electronic record still appears in MOHRE. Ask HR or your PRO for the work permit number or transaction reference. You can also use a MOHRE-approved Business Service Center, such as Tas’heel, for eligible work permit services.
If you lost an old physical labour card, Tas’heel guidance requires a police letter for its lost-card application. Confirm the current documents with MOHRE or the approved centre before applying. Free zone workers should contact their own authority because its replacement process may differ.
What If My Employer Delays or My Work Permit Details Are Wrong?
Report incorrect permit or contract details to HR or your PRO in writing. MOHRE’s modification service must be submitted by the establishment’s authorised signatory. Keep any documents that support the requested correction.
If your employer does not act, you can use MOHRE’s labour complaint service for a possible contractual breach. MOHRE accepts complaints from registered private-sector employees through its website and mobile app. Free zone workers should follow the complaint process provided by their own authority.
If salary or contract dates are wrong, correct them before using those details for gratuity or final-settlement calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check our UAE Gratuity FAQ if you have questions about your final settlement.
Your Next Steps
Check your status today using the MoHRE app or your free zone portal. Save the e-Permit PDF and note the expiry date. Catching problems early is the difference between a quick fix and a long headache.
For related guides, see our Domestic Worker Gratuity Calculator and JAFZA Gratuity Calculator and Rules.
