If you are trying to figure out exactly how much a temporary work permit UAE cost will set you back in 2026, you are in the right place. Most articles give you vague numbers and leave out the hidden charges UAE temporary work permit that catch people off guard at the final step. This guide gives you the complete, honest fee breakdown — application fees, MOHRE approval charges, service fees, and the total cost difference between Dubai and Abu Dhabi — so you know exactly what to budget before you apply.
Before starting your application, also confirm your nationality is cleared for UAE entry by checking the full list of UAE visa ban countries to avoid any entry issues before your permit is even approved.
What is the UAE Temporary Work Permit and Why Does the Cost Matter?
The UAE Temporary Work Permit is an official MOHRE-issued document that allows residents, students, and dependents to legally work for a secondary employer for up to six months — without changing their main residence visa or violating their primary employment contract. It is managed entirely by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and is the only legal route for short-term or project-based work in the UAE outside of your main job.
Understanding the temporary work permit UAE cost matters because many applicants — and even some employers — budget only for the headline application fee and then get surprised by MOHRE approval charges, typing center fees, and profession-specific regulatory costs that push the total significantly higher. If your current visa status has any complications or overstay issues, you must resolve those first — read our guide on UAE visa amnesty for workers to understand your options before applying for any new permit.
MOHRE temporary work permit fees 2026
This is the section most people come here for, so let's get straight into it. The total cost of a temporary work permit in the UAE is not a single flat fee. It is made up of three separate components that stack on top of each other. Here is the complete breakdown.
Application Fee for Temporary Work Permit UAE
The application fee is the baseline charge paid at the point of submission — whether through the MOHRE online portal, the MOHRE mobile app, or a registered Tas'heel service center. This fee is non-negotiable and applies to every application regardless of emirate.
Application fee range: AED 100 to AED 200
This fee covers the administrative cost of submitting and processing the application file. It is paid upfront and is non-refundable once the application enters the review stage.
MOHRE Approval Charges for Work Permit UAE
This is where the cost varies most significantly — and where most applicants get surprised. MOHRE's approval fee is calculated based on your company's classification category, not a flat rate. Companies registered under Category A pay differently than Category B or C companies.
MOHRE approval fee range: AED 250 to AED 3,450 — the exact amount depends on your company's classification category. Category A companies pay the lowest rates while Category C companies pay significantly more. Always confirm your employer's category on the MOHRE portal before budgeting for this cost.If your previous visa application was ever rejected and you are wondering whether that affects this permit, check our guide on UAE visa after rejection before submitting.
Service and Typing Charges for Permit UAE
Whether you apply online independently or through a Tas'heel center, there are service charges involved. Typing centers charge for document preparation, form filling, and submission assistance.
Typing and service fee range: AED 50 to AED 150
What is the Total Cost of Temporary Work Permit in UAE?
Putting all three components together, here is the complete cost picture for 2026:
| Fee Component | Minimum (AED) | Maximum (AED) | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | 100 | 200 | Employer |
| MOHRE Approval Fee | 250 | 3450 | Employer |
| Typing / Service Charges | 50 | 150 | Employer / Employee |
| Regulated Profession Fee | 200 | 500 | Employer |
| Total Standard Cost | 400 | 3800 | Employer |
| Total With Profession Fee | 600 | 4300 | Employer |
Under UAE Labour Law, the employer is legally required to bear all work permit costs. Asking an employee to pay for their own temporary work permit is a direct violation of MOHRE regulations. For a full understanding of what your employer is legally obligated to cover, read our detailed guide on UAE domestic workers rights which covers employee cost protections across all permit types.
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi Temporary Work Permit Cost — What Is the Difference
This is one of the most searched questions and one the previous version of this article completely ignored. The core MOHRE fees are the same across all emirates because they are set at the federal level by MOHRE, not by individual emirate governments. What differs between emirates is the typing center and service charge. Dubai typing centers tend to charge slightly higher service fees than those in Abu Dhabi or the northern emirates — typically AED 20 to AED 50 more per application.
| Emirate | Govt Fees (AED) | Service Charges (AED) | Estimated Total (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 250 – 3,450 | 100 – 150 | 350 – 3,600 |
| Abu Dhabi | 250 – 3,450 | 50 – 100 | 300 – 3,550 |
| Sharjah | 250 – 3,450 | 50 – 100 | 300 – 3,550 |
| Other Emirates | 250 – 3,450 | 50 – 80 | 300 – 3,530 |
MOHRE Temporary Work Permit Fees 2026 — Complete Breakdown
MOHRE classifies companies into categories based on their size, compliance record, and workforce ratio. Your company's category directly affects how much MOHRE charges for permit approvals.
| Company Category | MOHRE Fee Range (AED) | Who Falls Here |
|---|---|---|
| Category A | 250 – 500 | Large compliant companies, multinationals |
| Category B | 500 – 1,500 | Mid-size businesses, good compliance record |
| Category C | 1,500 – 3,450 | Smaller companies, newer registrations |
| Non-Compliant / Flagged | Application blocked | Companies with MOHRE violations |
Source: UAE Official Government Portal
Hidden Charges in UAE Work Permit Applications
Here are the costs that nobody tells you about upfront.
Document attestation fees — if your educational certificates need attestation for a regulated profession, expect to pay AED 150 to AED 600 per document depending on the country of origin and attestation level required.
Translation fees — documents not in Arabic may need certified Arabic translation, costing AED 100 to AED 300 per document through a licensed translation office.
Medical test fees — some temporary work permit applications in regulated sectors require a medical fitness test at an approved UAE health center. For full details on what the test involves, which centers to visit, and what conditions affect approval, read our complete guide on UAE visa medical test before booking your appointment.
Urgent processing premium — if you need approval faster than the standard 3 to 5 working days, some service centers charge an urgent processing fee of AED 100 to AED 300 on top of standard charges.
Work Permit UAE Processing Time and Approval Cost
Speed and cost often trade off against each other. Here is what to expect:
| Processing Type | Timeline | Additional Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Processing | 3 – 5 working days | No extra charge |
| Urgent Processing | 24 – 48 hours | AED 100 – 300 extra |
| Regulated Profession | 7 – 14 working days | Authority fee applies |
| Incomplete Application | Delayed indefinitely | Resubmission fee may apply |
The fastest and most cost-effective way to avoid delays is to submit a complete, error-free application on the first attempt. Incomplete applications are returned without refund of the application fee — meaning you pay twice if you get it wrong.
Ready to Apply? Skip the back-and-forth with government portals. Apply for your UAE Temporary Work Permit through UAEVisaOnline.com — we handle document verification, MOHRE submission, and approval tracking so your permit comes through correctly the first time. Apply Now →
Can Temporary Work Permits Be Extended in the UAE?
The UAE Temporary Work Permit is valid for up to six months. It cannot be automatically renewed — if your assignment continues beyond the validity period, your employer must submit a completely fresh application through MOHRE as a new permit, not a renewal. This means a new application fee, a new MOHRE approval charge, and a new processing timeline. If you anticipate your project running longer than six months, a standard UAE work visa may be more cost-effective over time than back-to-back temporary permit applications.
UAE Temporary Work Permit Requirements and Eligibility
Before applying, confirm you meet these requirements. A failed application means lost fees with no guarantee of refund.
You must hold a valid UAE residence visa with at least six months of remaining validity. You must be 18 years of age or older. You need a No Objection Certificate from your current employer or sponsor — without this, MOHRE will not process the application. The hiring company must hold a valid MOHRE-registered trade license and must be in good standing. The role you are taking on must align with the company's licensed business activity.
For students and dependents specifically, the rules carry additional conditions around visa type and sponsor consent. If you are a dependent looking to take up short-term work, also read our guide on UAE part time work permit which covers the alternative permit route that may suit your situation better depending on your hours and employment structure.
How to Apply for Temporary Work Permit UAE — Step by Step
Step 1: Confirm eligibility and collect all required documents — passport copy, residence visa copy, NOC from current employer, trade licenses of both companies, signed temporary employment contract, and educational certificates if the role requires them.
Step 2: The hiring company submits the application through the MOHRE official website, MOHRE mobile app, or any registered Tas'heel service center. The employee cannot apply independently — it must be the employer.
Step 3: Pay the application and MOHRE approval fees at the point of submission. Keep your payment receipt as proof of submission.
Step 4: Wait for MOHRE review — standard processing takes 3 to 5 working days. MOHRE may request additional documents during this period, so stay responsive.
Step 5: Once approved, the hiring company downloads the permit approval letter from the MOHRE portal. You can now legally begin your temporary employment.
Freelance Permit vs Temporary Work Permit UAE — Cost Comparison
| Feature | Freelance Permit | Temporary Work Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor | Self-sponsored | Employer-sponsored |
| Validity | 1 – 2 years | Up to 6 months |
| Cost Range (AED) | 7,500 – 15,000 | 400 – 4,300 |
| Best For | Independent consultants | Project-based employees |
| Who Pays | Applicant | Employer (legally required) |
| Renewal | Annual renewal | Full reapplication |
For most short-term workers already living in the UAE, the temporary work permit is significantly cheaper and faster than a freelance permit. However, if you plan to work independently across multiple clients long-term, a freelance permit gives you far more flexibility. If your situation involves sponsorship through a family member rather than an employer, our guide on UAE visa sponsorship covers how dependent sponsorship interacts with temporary work permits.
Conclusion: Apply Smart, Budget Right
The total temporary work permit UAE cost in 2026 falls between AED 400 and AED 4,300 depending on your employer's MOHRE classification category — always verify your company's category before budgeting. Most people budget for the application fee alone and get blindsided by MOHRE approval charges, typing fees, and regulated profession costs that quietly push the total higher.
Three things to always remember. Your employer pays all of this by law — not you. An incomplete application means lost fees and starting over. And if your assignment runs beyond six months, a full UAE work visa will likely cost you less over time than repeated temporary permit applications.
The UAE temporary work permit exists to give residents, students, and dependents a clean, legal way to take on short-term work without touching their main visa. It is one of the most practical and affordable employment tools in the country — when used correctly.
Do not leave it to guesswork. Apply through UAEVisaOnline.com and get your permit processed correctly, the first time.
