To check your MOHRE work permit status in the UAE, use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s official enquiry portal. Select the relevant application or permit service, enter the transaction details requested and review the official result. This guide explains the steps, common problems and the difference between employment permits and UAE residence visas.
How to Check MOHRE Work Permit Status Online
You can check a UAE work permit application using the official Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) enquiry service. This is particularly useful when an employer has submitted a permit application and you need to confirm its recorded status rather than rely only on a message or screenshot.
- Open the official MOHRE Enquiry Services portal.
- Select the service for application status (often shown as Application Status or its Arabic equivalent).
- Enter the requested application or transaction details. The required fields depend on the enquiry selected.
- Complete any verification shown on the official portal and submit your enquiry.
- Read the displayed result carefully. If details are missing or the application is not found, check the reference number with the employer or the authorised typing centre.
MOHRE offers several enquiries. Choose the one matching your document: application status, electronic work permit information, initial work permit approval, or an authenticated employment contract. Do not assume these screens all represent the same stage of approval.
Which MOHRE Enquiry Service Should You Choose?
| Your question | Relevant official enquiry |
|---|---|
| Was my application submitted and what is its status? | Application Status |
| Has an electronic work permit been recorded? | Electronic Work Permit Information |
| Is the initial work permit approval available? | Initial Work Permit Approval Status |
| Can I view the employment offer? | Job Offer Enquiry |
| Can I verify my registered employment contract? | View Authenticated Employment Contract |
| Does my employer have an approved establishment record? | Establishment Information |
The official MOHRE enquiry portal lists these services. Labels and required inputs may change. Use the live portal rather than relying on an unofficial checker that asks for personal documents.
Documents and Numbers You May Need
The correct reference number depends on what you are checking. Common identifiers include a work permit application or transaction number and, for some employment offer or contract services, passport details, nationality and date of birth. The service itself tells you which fields are mandatory.
If you are checking your offer or employment contract, MOHRE also provides a dedicated offer and contract enquiry with service-specific identity and transaction fields.
MOHRE Work Permit Status vs UAE Visa Status
A work permit and an immigration residence visa are different authorisations. MOHRE handles work permits for the establishments and workers within its remit, while visa and residency information is handled by the appropriate immigration authority.
For Dubai-issued immigration applications, check the relevant GDRFA Dubai service. For other emirates, ICP provides immigration-status services. An approved work permit is not necessarily proof that a residence permit or Emirates ID has already been issued.
The UAE Government explains that working in the UAE without the required valid work authorisation is not permitted. Employers must follow the applicable procedures before employing workers. See the official UAE work permit guidance.
How to Verify a UAE Job Offer or Employment Contract
A prospective employee should verify an employment offer before paying money, resigning from a current role or travelling on the strength of a recruitment promise.
- Ask the employer for the official offer or relevant transaction reference.
- Use MOHRE’s employment offer and contract service.
- Select the correct service and supply only the information requested by MOHRE.
- Compare the employer, job details and terms with the documents you received.
- If details do not match, contact MOHRE before taking further steps.
A company trade licence is not itself proof of an approved work permit. For company licensing verification in Dubai, see our Dubai trade licence check guide.
Why a Work Permit Application May Be Delayed
A pending or delayed status does not always indicate rejection. Processing can depend on whether the application and documents are complete, whether additional approvals are required and whether the employer meets the relevant establishment requirements.
The UAE Government lists factors such as the establishment’s valid trade licence, job suitability and compliance with applicable labour-market regulations among relevant permit conditions. It also notes that noncompliance with the Wages Protection System or submission of incorrect documents can affect permit issuance or renewal.
If a status does not change, contact the employer’s authorised representative and ask for the transaction reference and any official request for additional documents. Do not create repeat applications merely because the public enquiry takes time to update.
Can Free Zone Employees Use MOHRE Enquiry Services?
Not every UAE employer uses the same employment permit channel. Some free-zone authorities administer employment and permit-related processes under their own procedures. If you work for a free-zone company, first confirm which authority issued the relevant work authorisation. A MOHRE enquiry returning no record is not, by itself, evidence that a free-zone employee has no valid authorisation.
How to Get Help If Your Application Is Not Found
Check the spelling and digits of the reference number, confirm the selected service and ask the employer whether the transaction has actually been submitted. If the issue remains unresolved, use the official MOHRE support channel or the contact options shown on MOHRE’s website. Avoid entering passport numbers or other sensitive information into third-party status websites.
Checklist Before Tracking Your Work Permit
- Confirm whether the application belongs to MOHRE or a free-zone authority.
- Obtain the correct application or transaction reference.
- Use an official government website.
- Select the correct enquiry type.
- Distinguish job offer, initial approval, permit issuance and residence status.
- Contact the authorised employer or MOHRE when a result cannot be verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check my UAE work permit status?
Open the official MOHRE Enquiry Services portal, select Application Status or the relevant work permit enquiry, and enter the details requested for that service.
Can I check a MOHRE permit with my passport number?
Some MOHRE offer and contract services request passport details together with other identifiers. Work permit application status enquiries may require a transaction reference. Follow the exact fields shown on the selected government service.
Is work permit approval the same as visa approval?
No. Labour authorisation and immigration residency are separate processes, and approval of one does not automatically prove completion of the other.
What if MOHRE shows no application?
First confirm the correct enquiry type, reference number and issuing authority with the employer. Some free-zone employment processes do not use the same MOHRE channel.
Can I verify a UAE employment offer online?
Yes. MOHRE provides a dedicated employment offer and contract enquiry portal. Verify documents there before relying on an unfamiliar recruitment offer.
Conclusion
The safest way to check a UAE work permit application in 2026 is through the official MOHRE enquiry system and the correct transaction reference. Choose the right service, distinguish employment approval from immigration residency, and verify any uncertain result with the responsible authority. The purpose of a status check is to establish what the official system currently records, not to predict approval.
