UAE ministry cuts work permit fees by up to 94%

The fees for work permits offered by the UAE’s ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) have been slashed in a bid to support business owners in the country.

The MOHRE announced fee reductions ranging from 50 per cent to 94 per cent for the 145 services and 128 transactions supervised by it.

The move will be implemented through the Tas’heel, Tadbeer, Tawafuq and Tawjeeh service centres.

Supporting business owners and investors in the UAE, the new Cabinet resolution on the Fees and Administrative Fines in #MOHRE declares new fees for 145 services and 128 transactions supervised by the ministry, decreased by a percentage reaching 94%. pic.twitter.com/bRS0DaaDGC

— MOHRE_UAE (@MOHRE_UAE) July 10, 2019

Under the new decision, work permit fees across all categories have been cut by 50 per cent.

Meanwhile the two-year work permits have been modified depending on the skill category of the workers.

The two-year permit for those sponsored by their parents has been reduced for certain categories, while the fees for employee transfer permit have been cut for some workers.

The ministry also said it continue to exempt companies from paying the work permit fee for employing an Emirati or GCC national. Fishing boat facilities also remain exempt from work permit fees.

The reduction in fees will “enhance the flexibility of the labour market” and meet the needs of private sector businesses, said Nasser bin Thani Al Hameli, minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

It will also “enable enterprises to have additional options to meet their operational needs”.

“The government is keen on enhancing the productivity of the country’s labour market by encouraging private business owners and investors to employ a skilled and competent workforce which is in line with the objectives of National Agenda 2021,” he added.