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The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation introduced a new digital service that lets registered establishments apply for work permits to recruit employees from outside the UAE, the ministry announced through a statement reported by Gulf News on September 2, 2026. Employers can submit all required information and documents through the ministry’s website or mobile application without visiting service centers in many cases. The initiative forms part of wider government efforts to digitise labour market procedures and cut administrative burdens on businesses seeking international talent.
According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the service covers recruitment under various contract types including full-time, part-time, temporary and remote work arrangements with permits valid for two years. Establishments must log in using UAE Pass digital identity, provide worker details and await electronic verification that can result in immediate approval for some categories. A Gulf News report on the launch noted that the platform integrates real-time quota checks and sends notifications on application status to streamline the entire overseas hiring workflow.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation data lists federal fees ranging from 50 dirhams for the application to as much as 3,450 dirhams for issuance in higher skill categories while the service itself is free via the official app and website apart from business center commissions capped at 72 dirhams. Employers bear all recruitment costs from the worker’s home country along with insurance, contributions and any required guarantees under UAE labour law. An assessment from the ministry found that such digital channels have already reduced processing times by up to 95 percent in related permit services rolled out in earlier phases of the Zero Bureaucracy Programme.
Indian nationals form a substantial part of the UAE workforce and should note that employer use of the new MoHRE digital platform does not replace requirements under India’s eMigrate system for certain passport holders, according to procedures outlined by the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi. Prospective workers from India in the Emigration Check Required category must still secure Protector of Emigrants clearance after the UAE work permit and employment contract are issued and attested. The embassy guidance states that employers register on the eMigrate portal, obtain login credentials and complete visa attestation at Indian diplomatic missions in the UAE before final emigration approval.
A separate Gulf News review of ministry services indicated that the latest digital work permit tool builds on artificial intelligence systems introduced in 2025 that verify documents such as passports and qualifications in under one minute. The International Labour Organization has reported that South Asian workers including those from India comprise more than 24 million people across Gulf labour markets, underscoring the scale of recruitment affected by these procedural changes. Indian immigrants considering UAE opportunities are advised to confirm their employer’s registration with MoHRE and ensure all contracts match approved templates to avoid delays in residency visa stamping.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has emphasised that the digital service applies only to employers initiating overseas hires and requires full compliance with both UAE labour regulations and the worker’s home country emigration rules. Previous ministry statistics showed that simplified digital bundles for work permits, residency and Emirates ID issuance have eliminated most in-person visits and cut overall completion times by 85 percent or more. For Indian professionals the development means potentially quicker onboarding once an employer completes the electronic application though individual medical fitness tests and document attestations remain mandatory steps.
