How long is a UAE work permit valid?

Most private-sector work permits are valid for two years, including permits to recruit from abroad, to transfer a worker and to hire a resident on family sponsorship (UAE Government portal).

What is the fine for renewing a work permit late?

If the permit is not renewed within 60 days of its expiry, AED 200 for each month, up to AED 2,000 (Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020). Check MOHRE for the current rules.

How much does it cost to renew a work permit?

AED 250, 1,200 or 3,450 for two years, depending on the establishment's category (Cabinet Resolution No. 37 of 2022).

Is the employer ever not considered late?

Yes. Ministerial Decree No. 46 of 2022 lists cases, for example a worker who has been outside the UAE for more than six months, a worker in prison or detention (for that period), or the worker's death.

AE · Expiry & renewal tracking

Keep every UAE work permit renewed on time

Most private-sector UAE work permits issued by MOHRE are valid for two years, and an employer may not employ a worker without one (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 6). Not renewing within 60 days of expiry is a violation fined per month (Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020), and unpaid fines block new permits.

In the UAE, a person may not work without a valid work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), and an employer may not recruit or employ a worker without one (Article 6 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the UAE Labour Law).

According to the UAE Government portal, the main private-sector work permits are valid for two years: recruiting a worker from outside the UAE, transferring a worker from another establishment, hiring a resident on family sponsorship, employing a UAE or GCC national, and employing a Golden Visa holder.

Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020 lists not renewing a work permit within 60 days of its expiry as a violation, with a fine of AED 200 for each month, up to AED 2,000. Under the same resolution, part of a month counts as a full month.

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At a glance

Issued by	Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
Validity	Two years for most private-sector permits (juvenile permit: 1 year; student training permit: 3 months)
Not renewed within 60 days of expiry	AED 200 per month, up to AED 2,000 (Cabinet Resolution 21 of 2020)
Renewal fee (two years)	AED 250, 1,200 or 3,450, depending on the establishment's category
Unpaid late fines	No new permits or renewals until the fines are paid (Ministerial Decree 46 of 2022)

Who is responsible?

The employer. The application must be submitted by a person legally authorised to represent the company, and fines for late issuance or renewal are charged to the establishment.

If the deadline passes

If a work permit is not renewed within 60 days of its expiry, Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020 (Article 3, item 2) sets a fine of AED 200 per month, up to AED 2,000. An establishment that does not pay fines for late issuance or renewal cannot apply for new work permits or renew expired ones until the fines are paid (Ministerial Decree No. 46 of 2022, Article 4). The same decree lists cases where the employer is not considered late, for example when the worker has been outside the UAE for more than six months.

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each employee and record the expiry date of their work permit.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day.
Assign a responsible person (for example HR or your PRO) for each permit so the right person gets the reminder.
If a permit passes its expiry date, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later, well inside the 60-day period in the fines resolution.
Ask for the renewed permit through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.
Emails arrive in each recipient's language, Arabic included.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a UAE work permit valid?: Most private-sector work permits are valid for two years, including permits to recruit from abroad, to transfer a worker and to hire a resident on family sponsorship (UAE Government portal).
What is the fine for renewing a work permit late?: If the permit is not renewed within 60 days of its expiry, AED 200 for each month, up to AED 2,000 (Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020). Check MOHRE for the current rules.
How much does it cost to renew a work permit?: AED 250, 1,200 or 3,450 for two years, depending on the establishment's category (Cabinet Resolution No. 37 of 2022).
Is the employer ever not considered late?: Yes. Ministerial Decree No. 46 of 2022 lists cases, for example a worker who has been outside the UAE for more than six months, a worker in prison or detention (for that period), or the worker's death.

Sources

Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

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Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each labour card (UAE) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

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