Ministry categorises 10 types of work permits

Eman Abdullah Al Ali, Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has determined 10 types of work permits, from which institutions can select the suitable type to recruit employees, from within and outside the country.

The move aims to meet the diverse needs of labour market.

These types are an interim work permit, a permit to hire a worker from outside the country, mission permit, work permit for individuals on their families’ sponsorship, part time permit, transition permit, work permit for UAE and GCC nationals, work permit for juveniles, internship or work permit for a student, and temporarily work permit.

The fees for each permit varies according to the type and duration, the worker skill level, and the category of institution within the classification system of the Ministry.

The Ministry explained that the first type “interim work permit” is a renewable full year permit. It allows employers to hire workers registered with the Ministry and other residents in the country, government employees, students on their parents’ sponsorship, and spouses, sons and daughters of female Emiratis based on certain conditions to ensure that the number of working hours for sub-employer is less than working hours for the original employer.

The permit to hire worker from outside the country allows employers to recruit workers from outside the country for a period of two years, in accordance with the conditions and regulations.

The mission permit allows the recruitment of workers from outside the country to perform a temporary work or a specific project within a fixed duration. While the permit for those who are on their families’ sponsorship allows recruitment of workers from within the country, including spouses and children of female Emiratis. The permit’s duration is two years.

The part-time permit allows institutions to employ workers from within or outside the country under a partial employment contract, whereby a citizen or non-citizen worker can work in one or more professions at the same time. It requires obtaining authorization of the Ministry, while consent of the original employer or any other employer working in part is not needed, in accordance with specific controls. The permit’s duration is two years.

The transition work permit allows recruiting workers within the country, following end of employment relationship with the previous employer, according to the conditions and controls. Its duration is two years.

The work permit for UAE and GCC nationals allows institutions to hire worker for two years. The juveniles work permit allows recruitment of a worker between 15 and 18 from within the country for two years, in accordance with certain terms and conditions.

The internship or work permit for a citizen or a non-citizen student within the country allows hiring a student from 15 and above in accordance with specific conditions that ensure an appropriate internship and work environment.

The temporary work permit allows hiring a worker from within the country for up to six months for another employer, provided for returning to the original employer after expiry of the permit.

Earlier this month the UAE Cabinet has adopted a decision to amend provisions of the resolution on sponsoring of foreign workers by their families in the country.

According to a statement by the General Secretariat of the Cabinet, the amended provisions now indicate ‘income’ as a requirement for sponsoring family members, as opposed to the previously listed ‘professions’ which allowed workers to sponsor their families. The amendment is in line with international developments and accordance with best practices, it added.

‘The decision aims at enhancing family stability of foreign workers and social cohesion, as well as attracting highly skilled workers while maintaining a healthy balance between professional and personal life,’ the statement continued.