What is a Labour Card?
The labour card is a record issued by the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) that confirms a private-sector employee is legally registered with a sponsoring employer. It captures the worker's job title, employer name, and the key terms of the labour contract filed electronically with MOHRE, forming one of the three linked documents, alongside the work permit and residence visa, that together authorise a foreign national to live and work in the UAE mainland. Free zone employees and government workers operate under their own separate authorities and are not covered by the MOHRE labour card system; it applies specifically to mainland private-sector roles.
The registered details on the labour card must match the actual job and the signed contract. Mismatches between the card and the real terms, such as a lower salary on the card than what was agreed, can cause problems at renewal time, during end-of-service gratuity calculations, or if a labour dispute is filed. Because the MOHRE system is the reference for any adjudication, what is on record there is what counts.
How to get, check or renew your Labour Card
- Employer applies for a work permit. Before or shortly after the employee joins, the company submits a work permit application through the MOHRE online platform or at an authorised Tasheel service centre. The labour card is generated as part of this process once the application is approved.
- Sign and receive a copy of your labour contract. A MOHRE-standard employment contract must be submitted and registered. You are entitled to receive a signed copy in a language you understand. Review it carefully to confirm that the job title, basic salary, and allowances match what was agreed.
- Verify your card details online. Use the MOHRE website or the MOHRE smart app, entering your passport number or MOHRE reference, to confirm that your registered title, salary, and employer are accurate. Do this soon after joining to catch any errors early, before they become embedded in the system.
- Renewal is employer-driven. When your residence visa approaches expiry, the employer initiates the work permit renewal through MOHRE channels. Your labour card details update in tandem. Confirm that the renewed card reflects any changes in role or salary that have occurred during the visa period.
- Cancellation when employment ends. On resignation or termination, the employer must cancel the work permit and the associated labour card through MOHRE. Delayed cancellation can block a new employer from processing a fresh work permit for you and may complicate your end-of-service gratuity settlement. Follow up to confirm the cancellation is processed promptly.
Rules, validity and cost
The labour card runs in step with the work permit and residence visa. Validity cycles are commonly two years, though the exact duration can vary by category and the rules at the time of issue; confirm the current period with MOHRE before relying on any figure. Fees are set by MOHRE and revised periodically, so verify the current schedule before processing. Under UAE rules, employers are generally required to bear the cost of the work permit and labour card, and recovering those costs from the employee may breach MOHRE regulations. Workers moving from a free zone to the mainland, or between different free zones, typically need a fresh permit process rather than a simple transfer of the existing card.
What expats should know
The salary and job title on record with MOHRE are the reference figures used if a labour dispute goes to adjudication, or when calculating end-of-service gratuity on departure. If the registered contract terms do not match your actual situation, raise this with MOHRE promptly through the online complaint portal or the helpline rather than waiting until the end of employment. Workers are legally entitled to a copy of their contract. If you believe your work permit was cancelled without your knowledge, or that the details on record are wrong, contact MOHRE as soon as possible, since unresolved discrepancies can affect your residence visa status and future employment permit applications. Checking your contract details periodically through the MOHRE smart app is a practical habit that costs nothing and can prevent significant problems later.