Labour card in the UAE: meaning & how it works
What is a labour card?
A labour card is the official document that authorises an expatriate employee to work for a specific employer in the UAE private sector. Issued through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), it ties the employee to their employer and job role for the term of the contract. In recent years the physical card has largely been replaced by an electronic work permit, but the term “labour card” is still widely used to mean the same thing.
Labour card vs work permit vs residence visa
These three are related but distinct. The work permit (labour card) authorises employment with a specific employer; the residence visa allows the person to live in the UAE; and the Emirates ID is the national identity document. An employee typically needs all three in order, and they are usually processed together when someone joins a company.
Why it matters for employers
Employing someone whose work permit does not match your company is a compliance risk. Keeping accurate employee records — including work-permit and document details and their expiry dates — helps you stay compliant and avoid fines. M1 TimePilot stores each employee’s documents alongside their attendance and payroll data, so key details and renewals are never buried in a spreadsheet.
FAQ
A labour card — now an electronic MOHRE work permit — is the official document authorising an expatriate to work for a specific employer in the UAE private sector.
In practice yes — the physical card has largely been replaced by the electronic MOHRE work permit, serving the same purpose.
Check work-permit status through MOHRE’s official website and app using the person’s details or work-permit number.
Keep employee records in order
M1 TimePilot stores documents, attendance and payroll for every employee in one place. Free 7-day trial.