How to work part-time in the UAE?

Since 2010, the UAE's Labour Law has made provisions, which allow an employee to have a part-time job along with a full-time one subject to certain conditions. The employee can work part-time after getting the work permit from Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).

Cost

The fee for part-time work permit includes an application fee of Dh100 and an approval fee of Dh500.

Law

As per Federal Decree Law No. 2 of 2007, if an expatriate is caught working for another company without an official permit, then a fine of Dh50,000 will be applied to the hiring company, in addition to other penalties in case of repeating the offence.

For people on an existing work permit

Emiratis, other GCC nationals and expatriate employees who are living in the UAE on a work visa, can take up a second job, upon getting a part-time work permit from MoHRE, which is valid for one year.

Part-time work permit holders are allowed to work in another company at the same time as working in the current company on a part-time basis for less than eight hours per day.

For people on a dependent visa

Those who live in the UAE on a family visa can take up a second job after getting a part-time work permit with a No Objection Certificate from the sponsor. Such work permits can be issued to men and women between 18 and 65 years of age.

Temporary/Part-time work permit

It is a service provided by the Ministry to recruit a national or expatriate worker residing in the UAE to carry out a certain work within a period not exceeding six months.

Required Documents

Terms and Conditions

Workers who are registered in the Ministry, under following conditions:

Workers not registered at the Ministry:

Under the following condition:

The worker and his/her non-national relatives shall have a valid residence visa stamped in the passport.

The guardians approval.

This permit shall be valid for six months.

Submitting approval of the profession related authority (Ministry of Affairs – Ministry of Health – Ministry of Education – Sports, Youth, Community Development Authority).

Exceptions

The Ministry may approve to grant a temporary work permit, without satisfying the condition related to the former employer's approval and the validity of the card and residence visa, in the following cases:

A labour complaint that is referred by the Ministry to a court of law.

If it is confirmed that the employer failed to pay wages for a period exceeding two months according to the wages protection office report or the labour relation offices report.

General conditions for the above:

The applying establishment trade licence should be valid.

The new labour profession should be suitable with the establishment activity.

The labour should not be below 18 years of age.

Payment

Request for initial approval of a new electronic work permit (Part-time)

Initial approval of a new electronic work permit (Part-time) six-month period