Employing Minors in the UAE: What the Law Allows

Thinking about hiring a young worker in the UAE, or helping a teenager in your family take a first job? The rules around employing minors are strict and exist to protect them. Here is a plain-language walk-through of what the law permits, who issues the permit, and the conditions an employer must meet.

Official source: The Official UAE Government Portal (u.ae)

Procedure per The Official UAE Government Portal (u.ae). Fees and timelines change — check the authority's website. We don't invent numbers.

How it works, step by step

1
Know the minimum age rule
According to Article 5 of the UAE Labour Law, it is prohibited to employ juveniles under the age of 15. This applies to everyone, so confirm the young person meets the legal age before anything else.
Documents:Proof of age
2
Understand who issues the permit
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation does not issue work permits to juveniles below this age, whether they are Emiratis or expatriate residents. The permit comes from the ministry, not from the employer alone.
Documents:Juvenile work permit
3
Respect the conditions on the work itself
By law, juveniles may not be employed at night. They also may not be employed in industrial projects, or in any work that is dangerous or harmful to their health. Make sure the role and hours fit these limits.
4
Check the establishment is in good standing
The establishment's licence must be valid, and there must be no violations leading to suspension of the activity in accordance with the legal regulations. Settle any outstanding issues first.
Documents:Valid trade licence
5
Confirm the juvenile has no active permit
The juvenile must not already hold an active work permit. Verify this before applying so the request is not blocked.
6
Know what is not required
For the issuance of a juvenile work permit, no insurance or bank guarantee is required, and no electronic quota allocation is required. If anyone asks you for these, pause and check the authority's website for the current requirements.

Fees and timelines may change, verify with the official source.

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We handle the paperwork for you

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Employing Minors in the UAE: What the Law Allows

How it works, step by step

Know the minimum age rule

According to Article 5 of the UAE Labour Law, it is prohibited to employ juveniles under the age of 15. This applies to everyone, so confirm the young person meets the legal age before anything else.

Documents:Proof of age

Understand who issues the permit

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation does not issue work permits to juveniles below this age, whether they are Emiratis or expatriate residents. The permit comes from the ministry, not from the employer alone.

Documents:Juvenile work permit

Respect the conditions on the work itself

By law, juveniles may not be employed at night. They also may not be employed in industrial projects, or in any work that is dangerous or harmful to their health. Make sure the role and hours fit these limits.

Check the establishment is in good standing

The establishment's licence must be valid, and there must be no violations leading to suspension of the activity in accordance with the legal regulations. Settle any outstanding issues first.

Documents:Valid trade licence

Confirm the juvenile has no active permit

The juvenile must not already hold an active work permit. Verify this before applying so the request is not blocked.

Know what is not required

For the issuance of a juvenile work permit, no insurance or bank guarantee is required, and no electronic quota allocation is required. If anyone asks you for these, pause and check the authority's website for the current requirements.

Fees and timelines may change, verify with the official source.