How to Check UAE Work Permit Status Online 2026

You can check your UAE work permit status online through MOHRE’s enquiry services. Depending on the service and record available, you may be asked for details such as your labour card or passport information. This sits alongside the other visas and residency topics UAE residents deal with regularly.

A work permit is different from a UAE residence visa, so the correct status-check service depends on what you want to verify. This guide explains where and how to check UAE work permit status online, what the different results mean, and what to do if your application gets stuck.

Official UAE Work Permit Status Check

Authority: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) For: UAE private-sector work permits and related labour services For residence visa status: ICP or GDRFA Dubai

What Is a UAE Work Permit?

A UAE work permit is MOHRE’s authorisation for a private sector employer to hire a specific worker, distinct from the residence visa that separately grants legal residency. Under Article 6 of Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021, it is illegal for anyone to work in the UAE without a valid work permit, and employers may not recruit or employ a worker without one either.

Which Authority Handles What

Different documents have different issuing authorities, and checking the wrong one wastes time.

Document	Main Purpose	Main Authority
Work permit	Legal authorisation to work	MOHRE
Residence visa	Legal residence in the UAE	ICP or GDRFA Dubai
Entry permit	Entry for the relevant purpose	ICP or GDRFA Dubai

As a general rule, the rest of the UAE routes through MOHRE and ICP, while Dubai specifically routes through GDRFA for residence documents.

Work Permit vs Residence Visa: What’s the Difference?

	Work Permit	Residence Visa
Authority	MOHRE	ICP (other emirates) or GDRFA (Dubai)
Covers	Employment relationship, labour rights	Legal right to reside in the UAE
Checked via	MOHRE enquiry services	ICP Smart Services or GDRFA portal

What Happens After Initial Work Permit Approval?

This distinction genuinely matters, and most guides blur it together.

What Is Initial Work Permit Approval?

The employer submits the required job offer and supporting documents as part of the initial work permit application, which MOHRE reviews to confirm everything is complete. This approval is what allows the worker to enter the UAE, it is not itself permission to begin working.

What Happens Once the Worker Arrives?

Upon arrival, both the employer and worker sign the job offer, which is then officially registered with MOHRE as a legally binding employment contract. This registration must happen within 14 days of the worker’s arrival, or from the date of a status change if the worker is already in the UAE. Our guide on MOHRE labour contract check covers how to verify this registration once it’s complete.

How to Check Your Work Permit Status via MOHRE

Checking work permit status UAE through MOHRE is the most direct route, since MOHRE issues the permit itself.

1. Go to mohre.gov.ae
2. Navigate to Enquiry Services
3. Select Work Permit Inquiry
4. Enter your labour card number or passport number, nationality, and date of birth
5. Review the displayed status, expiry date, company name, and job title

How to Check Pre-Approval Status Specifically

Employers or PROs checking pre-approval specifically need the establishment card number and application reference, entered under the same Enquiry Services section.

How to Print Your Electronic Work Permit

Under New Enquiry Services, select Print Electronic Work Permit, enter the required details, and download or print the document directly. This is a distinct service from a simple status check, useful when you need the actual document rather than just a confirmation that your permit is active.

How to Check Work Permit Renewal Status

If you’re tracking a work permit renewal, check the relevant application or transaction through MOHRE’s Enquiry Services. The exact option available can depend on the type of application submitted.

How to Check Work Permit Status via the MOHRE App

Available on iOS and Android, the MOHRE app lets you track documents, approvals, and renewals from your phone within seconds, using the same enquiry flow as the website.

Work Permit vs UAE Residence Visa Status

If you want to check your residence visa rather than your employment permit, that’s a separate record handled by ICP (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain) or GDRFA (Dubai specifically), not MOHRE. See our complete guide to how to check UAE visa status online for the full process.

What Does Transaction Under Process Mean on MOHRE?

Transaction under process mohre is a normal, active status, not an error. It simply means your application is still being reviewed. If the status persists for an unusually long time without any update, it’s worth contacting MOHRE directly rather than assuming the worst.

How Has Processing Improved in Recent Years?

Under the UAE’s Work Bundle initiative, confirmed directly on the UAE Government’s official portal, several employment and residency procedures have been consolidated into a single integrated platform.

The number of required in-person visits has dropped from 7 to 2, and the number of steps from 15 to 5, cutting the overall processing timeline from 30 working days down to 5 working days. Actual processing time for a specific application can still vary depending on the documents, employer, and service type involved.

What Do the Different MOHRE Status Labels Mean?

Beyond “Transaction under process,” your result can show several other labels. Status labels can vary by service and application type, so treat the following as general explanations rather than an official definition for every MOHRE transaction.

Status	What It Means
Active	Your permit or visa is valid, no action needed
Pending	Submitted, but review hasn’t started yet
Under process	MOHRE is actively reviewing your documents
Approved	You can proceed to the next step in the process
Rejected	Follow up with MOHRE or your employer’s PRO to find out why
Cancelled	Check the grace period that applies after cancellation
Expired	Renewal is needed before you can continue

Is MOHRE the Same as MOL?

Yes. MOL, the Ministry of Labour, was the ministry’s former name. MOHRE is the current name for the same authority, and older documents or advice referencing MOL apply the same way today.

What to Do If Your Work Permit Status Does Not Update

If your status hasn’t moved and you’re concerned, work through this in order.

1. Recheck the information you entered, an incorrect application, passport, or reference number can prevent the system from finding the correct record.
2. Check whether the application has any missing documents or requirements, often visible as a note against the transaction.
3. Ask your employer or PRO to verify the application from their side, since they can sometimes see details you can’t.
4. Check whether the establishment itself has any issue affecting the application, such as quota or compliance matters, since this sits with the employer to resolve.
5. Contact MOHRE through its official support channels if the status remains unresolved.
6. Visit an authorised MOHRE service centre in person if the issue persists.

Specialised category permits, which require additional ministry clearance, can reasonably take longer without it being a cause for concern.

What If You Can’t Check Your Work Permit Status?

Contact MOHRE directly through:

• Toll-free (UAE): 600 590000, 24/7
• International: 00971-6-8034000
• Labour Claims and Advisory Centre: 800 84
• Email: ask@mohre.gov.ae

Conclusion

Two things matter most when you check work permit status UAE. First, a work permit is genuinely different from a residence visa, checked through MOHRE rather than ICP or GDRFA. Second, initial approval is a distinct earlier stage from the employment contract registration that follows once the worker arrives in the UAE.

Confirm your specific status directly through MOHRE’s enquiry services rather than assuming based on visa status alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Check UAE Work Permit Status Online?

Through MOHRE’s Enquiry Services at mohre.gov.ae or the MOHRE app, using your labour card number or passport number, nationality, and date of birth.

Can I check my UAE work permit with my passport number?

Yes, passport number is one of the accepted search fields on MOHRE’s enquiry services, alongside your labour card number.

Is a work permit the same as a residence visa in the UAE?

No. A work permit is MOHRE’s employment authorisation, while a residence visa is your legal right to reside in the UAE, checked separately through ICP or GDRFA.

What does transaction under process mohre mean?

It means your application is actively being processed. This is a normal, active status rather than an error, though it’s worth contacting MOHRE if it persists for an unusually long time.

How long does a UAE work permit take to process?

Under the Work Bundle initiative, confirmed by the UAE Government’s official portal, in-person visits dropped from 7 to 2 and the overall process was reduced from 30 working days to 5. Actual timelines can still vary by application and service type.

What should I do if my work permit status does not update?

Recheck the details you entered, look for a status note about missing documents, ask your employer’s PRO to check from their side, and contact MOHRE directly if it remains unresolved.

Is MOHRE the same as MOL?

Yes. MOL was the ministry’s former name. MOHRE is the current name for the same authority.

Can I print my UAE electronic work permit online?

Yes, through MOHRE’s Print Electronic Work Permit service under New Enquiry Services, a distinct service from a simple status check.

Updates Section

Last reviewed: August 26, 2026. We review this guide against current MOHRE, ICP, and GDRFA guidance, since government service names, requirements, and processing procedures can change.

References

1. MOHRE, Official Homepage and Enquiry Services
2. u.ae, Work Permits
3. u.ae, Job Offers and the Employment Process
4. u.ae, Track Visa Application and Validity
5. GDRFA Dubai, Official Portal