UAE work permit fees
- MOHRE work permit fee (category B)
- AED 1,200
- Permits
- 5
- MOHRE permit fees
- AED 6,000
per permit
Total MOHRE permit feesAED6,000
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UAE Work Permit Cost Calculator 2026
How much does a MOHRE work permit cost for your company category, A, B or C?
Checked against MOHRE rules · reviewed 1 Oct 2026 · next review 1 Apr 2027
Pick your MOHRE category and the number of permits you need. You get the MOHRE work permit fees, what the other categories would cost, and an all-in total if you add your own visa costs.
How the UAE work permit cost is calculated
MOHRE charges a work permit fee per permit that depends on your establishment's category: AED 250 (A), AED 1,200 (B) or AED 3,450 (C). The calculator multiplies the fee by your number of permits and shows the same total for the other two categories. Anything you enter as 'other costs per employee' (residence visa, Emirates ID, medical, insurance) is added per permit.
- MOHRE
- The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, which issues work permits for mainland companies.
- Establishment category
- MOHRE's A/B/C classification of a company, based on compliance.
- ICP / GDRFA
- The authorities that issue residence visas and Emirates ID, with fees that vary by emirate.
UAE work permit fees by category (2026)
MOHRE permit fees for typical hiring volumes, from the same rules the calculator uses.
| Permits | Category A | Category B | Category C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 permit | AED 250 | AED 1,200 | AED 3,450 |
| 5 permits | AED 1,250 | AED 6,000 | AED 17,250 |
| 20 permits | AED 5,000 | AED 24,000 | AED 69,000 |
MOHRE work permit fee only. Residence visa, Emirates ID, medical and insurance are extra.
Before you budget
- Your MOHRE dashboard shows your current category and the exact fee when you apply.
- This calculator covers MOHRE permits for mainland companies; free zones set their own fees.
- Visa, Emirates ID, medical and insurance costs aren't included unless you add them.
Data Sources
Working out the full cost of a hire
Compare an expat and an Emirati hire for the same role with the expat vs national cost calculator, check your target with the Emiratisation calculator, and send the offer with the offer letter generator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a UAE work permit in 2026?
The MOHRE work permit fee depends on your company's classification: AED 250 for category A, AED 1,200 for category B and AED 3,450 for category C, per permit. The residence visa, Emirates ID, medical test and health insurance are charged separately and vary by emirate.
What are MOHRE categories A, B and C?
MOHRE classifies private companies into three categories based on how well they comply with labour rules and policies such as the Wages Protection System, Emiratisation and workforce diversity. Category A companies pay the lowest work permit fee and category C the highest. Your category is shown on your MOHRE dashboard.
How can a company move to a cheaper category?
By improving the things MOHRE scores: paying salaries on time through WPS, meeting Emiratisation targets and keeping a diverse workforce. The calculator shows how much each category would cost for your permits, so you can see what moving up is worth. Check your Emiratisation position with our Emiratisation calculator.
Does this include the residence visa and Emirates ID?
No. Only the MOHRE work permit fee is included, because ICP / GDRFA visa fees, Emirates ID, medical test and insurance costs vary by emirate and visa type and we haven't verified them yet. Enter your own figure under 'Your other costs per employee' for an all-in total.
Is the fee charged per company or per employee?
Per permit — so per employee you bring on. Hiring five people in category B costs 5 × AED 1,200 = AED 6,000 in MOHRE permit fees. Enter the number of permits and the calculator totals it for you.
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