A work permit is the MoHRE approval that lets a foreign national work for a named UAE employer. It used to be called the labour card. It is tied to one job and one company. It sits alongside the residence visa and must be renewed before it expires.
MoHRE issues the permit once the contract and paperwork are approved. It links the worker to the employer for the contract term.
Changing jobs means a new permit. Working without a valid permit exposes the company to heavy fines and possible bans.
Track expiry dates centrally and renew early. Never let staff work on a lapsed permit.
Pair permit tracking with visa tracking so nothing slips. Many firms hand this to a PRO service.
Last updated: July 2026 | Reviewed by Tuscan Consulting, Dubai