A MOHRE quota approval check tells an employer how many work permits the company is allowed to issue, how many it has used, and how many remain. In the UAE mainland, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) sets this quota for every registered establishment. Without an available quota, a company cannot apply for a new work permit, so the quota is the first thing to confirm before you hire.
Most new and existing companies now receive an electronic quota automatically, and the official MOHRE service is processed in about 2 working days. This guide explains how the quota works, how to check it, how to request more, and why a request can be refused.
MOHRE Quota Approval Check: Quick Answer
Question
Answer
What is a MOHRE quota?
The number of work permits an establishment is approved to issue
Who sets it?
MOHRE, based on the company licence, activity, size and business needs
Do I need to apply?
Usually not. The e quota is a proactive service given without an application
Processing time
2 working days (MOHRE service page)
Fees
Free on the MOHRE website and app (government fees only). Taqeem report AED 406
Where to check
The establishment account on the MOHRE website or app, or a MOHRE business service centre
Help line
600590000, available 24/7
What Is a Work Permit Quota in the UAE?
A quota is the share of work permits MOHRE approves for a company. According to the UAE Government portal, MOHRE sets each company’s hiring quota after looking at its legal status, the size of its facilities, its projects and its business needs. The quota can be amended on request, subject to ministry approval.
The quota sits at the start of the hiring chain. A company first needs a MOHRE establishment card, then a quota, then a work permit for each worker, and only then the residence visa through GDRFA or ICP.
Quota vs Work Permit vs Visa
Step
Issued by
What it means
Quota
MOHRE
How many permits the company may issue
Work permit
MOHRE
Permission for one named worker to work for that company
Entry permit and residence visa
GDRFA or ICP
Permission for the worker to enter and live in the UAE
Free Zone Companies and MOHRE Quota
The MOHRE quota covers mainland companies registered with the ministry. Companies set up in a free zone get their visa allocation from their own free zone authority, so the number of visas they can issue is set by that authority, not by MOHRE. Free zone employers should check their quota in the free zone portal instead.
How MOHRE Quota Approval Works in 2026
Electronic quotas are governed by Resolution No. 203 of 2022 on issuing e quotas of work permits for establishments, signed by the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation on 15 April 2022. The resolution text sets clear numbers.
Establishment type
Electronic quota
Article
High priority economic sectors (172 listed activities, such as banking, insurance, healthcare, education)
Up to 50% of total registered workforce, without a quota request
Article 2
New establishment in a high priority sector
20 workers
Article 3(a)
New establishment in other activities
3 workers
Article 3(b)
New establishment in Annexure 2 activities (35 listed, such as restaurants, cleaning, maintenance, delivery)
6 workers
Article 3(c)
Existing establishment
5% to 10% of registered workers, capped at 100
Article 4
Article 5 cancels the electronic quota for any establishment that breaks the labour law or ministerial decisions, and Article 6 says MOHRE reviews issued quotas at least every 3 months.
Example: A new cleaning company listed in Annexure 2 gets an e quota for 6 workers. An existing trading company with 40 registered workers gets e permits for 5% to 10% of that workforce, so roughly 2 to 4 more workers, before it needs to request more.
How to Do a MOHRE Quota Approval Check
Company quota details are linked to the establishment file, so the employer or its authorised signatory does the check. MOHRE menu names change from time to time, so look for quota or establishment information inside the employer account.
Log in with UAE PASS as the owner or authorised signatory
Open the establishment profile for the company
Review the approved quota, the permits already used and the balance
If the balance is zero, start a new quota request from the same account
Employers use MOHRE online services to view establishment details and quota. Source: MOHRE
Through a MOHRE Business Service Centre
Business service centres can print the establishment information and submit quota requests for you. The MOHRE service page caps their commission for this service at AED 72, plus government fees.
Can an Employee Check the Company Quota?
Not directly. Quota data belongs to the establishment. An employee or new hire can instead track their own application with a work permit status check, or confirm there is no block with a labour ban check.
How to Request or Increase a MOHRE Quota
When the electronic quota is not enough, the employer can ask MOHRE for more. The official MOHRE quota service (Work Permit Quotas for Establishments) lists these conditions and documents.
Conditions
A valid trade licence
The establishment must be active with no restrictions on its file
A valid Taqeem (establishment evaluation) report
The profession requested must match the company’s licensed activities
Documents
Trade licence
Evidence of work volume, such as contracts or projects
List of vehicles, where relevant to the activity
Taqeem report for electronic quotas
Fees and Timeline
Item
Amount
MOHRE website and app
Free (government fees only)
Business service centre commission
Up to AED 72
Taqeem fees
AED 406
Processing time
2 working days
Fees exclude VAT and collection charges. MOHRE notifies you once the request is completed.
Why a MOHRE Quota Request Gets Rejected
Expired trade licence: renew the licence first, then apply again
Restrictions on the establishment file: clear violations or unpaid fines. Our trade licence fines guide shows how to check
Missing or outdated Taqeem report: update it to reflect the current business
Job title not matching activity: request professions that fit the licence
Weak evidence of work volume: attach contracts, projects or invoices
Labour law breaches: under Article 5, non compliance can cancel the e quota
What Happens After MOHRE Quota Approval?
Apply for a work permit for each worker within the approved quota
Sign the job offer and employment contract, then check it with a labour contract search
Apply for the entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID and residence visa
Many of these steps can be handled together on the Work Bundle platform, which links work permits, residency, Emirates ID, medical tests and contracts.
Tips for Employers and PROs
Run a MOHRE quota approval check before you make job offers
Keep the Taqeem report and trade licence up to date to avoid delays
Match every job title to your licensed activity
Clear fines and violations early, because they block new permits
Remember that MOHRE reviews quotas every 3 months, so stay compliant
Latest Updates on MOHRE Quota Rules
Date
Update
2 February 2022
Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 came into force
15 April 2022
Resolution No. 203 of 2022 introduced automatic e quotas
October 2026
The MOHRE service still lists 2 working days and AED 406 Taqeem fees
Last verified: October 2026 against the MOHRE service page, the e quota resolution and the UAE Government portal.
Conclusion
A MOHRE quota approval check is the quickest way to know whether your company can hire right now. Most establishments get an electronic quota automatically, and extra quota can be requested online in about 2 working days, as long as the licence, Taqeem report and job titles are in order.
Check the balance before every hire, keep your file clean, and request more quota early. For more guides on labour rules, visit our UAE Laws section.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I do a MOHRE quota approval check?
Log in to the MOHRE website or app with UAE PASS as the establishment owner or signatory and open the establishment profile. It shows the approved, used and remaining quota.
How long does MOHRE quota approval take?
The MOHRE service page lists 2 working days once the conditions and documents are complete.
How much does a MOHRE quota cost?
The service is free on the MOHRE website and app apart from government fees. The Taqeem report costs AED 406, and business centres may charge up to AED 72.
Do new companies get a quota automatically?
Yes. Under Resolution No. 203 of 2022, new establishments get an e quota of 3, 6 or 20 workers depending on their activity.
Can I check my company quota as an employee?
No. Quota data belongs to the establishment. Employees can check their own work permit status instead.
Why was my MOHRE quota request rejected?
Common reasons are an expired licence, restrictions on the file, a missing Taqeem report, or job titles that do not match the licensed activity.
What is the Taqeem report?
It is the establishment evaluation report MOHRE requires for electronic quotas. The fee is AED 406.
Is MOHRE quota the same as a visa quota?
The MOHRE quota covers work permits. Entry permits and residence visas are then issued by GDRFA or ICP.
How often does MOHRE review quotas?
At least every 3 months, under Article 6 of Resolution No. 203 of 2022.
References
MOHRE service: Work Permit Quotas for Establishments
Anees is a UAE-based content creator, writer, and SEO professional with over 12 years of experience. Since 2014, he has published research-backed guides on UAE visas, labour laws, jobs, traffic fines, and government services, all verified against official sources. He is certified in SEO by HubSpot Academy and Digital Marketing by Google Digital Garage.
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Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only, based on publicly available UAE laws and regulations. It does not constitute legal advice. Always verify with official UAE government sources or a qualified legal professional.
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