UAE Work Visa (Permit) Transfer: How to Transfer Your Work Permit?

Last updated: May 4, 2026

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Can you transfer your UAE work permit?

Yes, you can transfer your UAE work permit to a new employer if you meet the requirements. The permit, which is valid for two years, can be transferred across various types of employment contracts, such as full-time, part-time, temporary, flexible, job-sharing, and remote work.

The process involves obtaining a new work permit through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) while complying with federal regulations.

Transfer fees are determined by the company’s classification (A, B, or C) and other government-specified conditions.

Under the current UAE labour law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your current employer is no longer required as a legal condition for switching jobs, provided you satisfy all other legal conditions.

How to transfer your UAE work permit?

To successfully transfer your UAE work permit, you must adhere to the guidelines set forth by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). This process involves several steps to ensure a seamless transition between employers.

Below is a detailed outline of the necessary steps to successfully complete your work permit transfer.

Eligibility

To transfer your UAE work permit, you must fulfil specific eligibility criteria:

The employee must be at least 18 years old.
Employees in specialised professions or those requiring licences must meet the criteria specified by relevant laws.
Occupation must align with the establishment’s activities.
The establishment must have a valid licence and be in good standing, without any operational suspensions due to violations.
The application must be submitted by an authorised representative of the establishment.
Candidates must not have an active work permit.
If a previous work permit has been cancelled, a new application must be submitted within 90 days.
A work permit can be replaced or a change of nationality processed within six months of issuance, up to two times, provided the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) cancels the entry permit for the replaced worker.

Required documents

The following documents are required for the transfer of your UAE work permit:

A clear, coloured photo with a white background.
A passport copy with a minimum validity of six months.
An official job offer form issued by the Ministry, signed by both the employer and employee.
Academic Certificates:
- Skill Levels 1 & 2: A bachelor’s degree or higher is required.
- Skill Levels 3 & 4: A diploma or higher is required.
- Skill Level 5: A high school certificate is required.
- Skill Levels 6 to 9: No academic certificate is required.
- Workers earning less than AED 4,000 monthly or without a degree are not considered skilled.
A professional licence issued by the relevant authority, such as:
- Doctors and nurses: Ministry of Health or Department of Health.
- Teachers and teacher assistants: Ministry of Education, Knowledge Authority (Dubai), Abu Dhabi Education Council, or Sharjah Education Council.
- Fitness trainers: Youth and Sports Authority.
- Advocates: Ministry of Justice.
Workers from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran must provide a clear and legible copy of both sides of their valid national ID cards issued by their home countries.

Application process

To transfer a UAE work permit, follow the steps given below:

Visit the MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) website.
Log in with your username and password, or use UAE Pass.
Click on “Pre-Approvals.”
Select “Transfer Work Permit Application for Worker from One Establishment to Another.”
Enter your company code and the reference number from your new offer letter.
Provide the requested information.
Upload the required documents.
Review your information carefully and click “Save” to submit your application.
Proceed to payment by clicking on “Pay.”

Alternatively, you may be able to process the transfer through the Work Bundle platform (workinuae.ae), a unified platform launched by the UAE government that consolidates work permit, residency visa, and Emirates ID services into a single integrated experience.

Processing time

The standard processing time for transferring your UAE work permit is 2 working days. Once your request has been processed, you will receive a notification of the outcome.

To track your application, visit the MOHRE website or the MOHRE Smart App (Android or iOS) for real-time updates. For further assistance, contact the MOHRE call centre at 600590000.

Fees

The cost of transferring a work permit ranges from AED 250 to AED 3,450, depending on the company’s classification (A, B, or C) under MOHRE’s compliance-based rating system.

Below are the fees associated with issuing a UAE work permit transfer:

Request for a transfer permit from one establishment to another

Category A: AED 50
Category B: AED 50
Category C: AED 50

Issuance of a permit to transfer and employ a worker from one establishment to another (two years)

Category A: AED 250
Category B: AED 1,200
Category C: AED 3,450

The permit package, which includes printing the job offer, job contract, and permit application, costs a maximum of AED 72 per service at business centres. Apart from the federal fees, the service is free of charge when using the MOHRE website or smart app.

Please note that the above fees do not include taxes or collection charges.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.