The UAE 3-Year Work Permit: What You Need to Know

While the Federal National Council (FNC) did indeed approve a proposal to extend work permits from 2 years to 3 years back in May 2023, there is a nuance often missed in blog updates: The FNC is a parliamentary consultative body. This means they approve recommendations, which are then passed to the UAE Cabinet for final approval and official implementation.

As of early 2026, the standard work permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) for most private sector employees still typically follows a 2-year cycle, though there are more long-term options like the Green Visa (5 years) and Golden Visa (10 years) for specific categories.

1. The Current Status

In May 2023, the FNC approved a recommendation to extend the standard work permit duration to three years. The goal is to:

• Reduce administrative costs for companies.
• Lower the financial burden on employees (especially regarding renewal fees).
• Enhance stability in the labor market.

2. Is it in effect yet?

While the legislative move was a major "green light," the official rollout is handled by MoHRE. Currently, most standard labor contracts and permits are still being issued for 2 years. However, the discussion has paved the way for broader reforms we are seeing in 2025 and 2026, such as:

• The "Work Bundle" platform: A streamlined digital process that has significantly cut down the time it takes to issue and renew permits.
• Flexibility: Greater ease in transferring permits between employers without the old "ban" periods.

Permit Type	Current Duration (2026)	Best For
Standard Work Permit	2 Years	General Private Sector
FNC Proposed Permit	3 Years	Pending MoHRE rollout
Green Visa	5 Years	Skilled Professionals/Freelancers
Golden Visa	10 Years	Investors/Senior Executives

 

 

New draft law offer Better conditions for UAE house maids

The Federal National Council (FNC) approved a draft federal law on domestic workers during its 16th legislative session held 30th May under the chairmanship of Dr Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, President of the Council.

The new draft law comes as part of the UAE's continuous efforts to provide the best living conditions for its residents. It also aims to enact special legislation to regulate all issues and procedures related to helping workers, while safeguarding their rights and duties and spelling out procedures for their recruitment.

The council stressed the importance of the draft law in regulating the relationship between employers, workers and recruitment agencies. It has a provision prohibiting the recruitment or employment of any worker under the age of 18, and also prohibits non-citizens to act as a broker for the recruitment of workers.

The worker may not be recruited or employed except in accordance with the conditions, controls and procedures provided for in this law, it adds.

The draft law also says the recruitment office is obliged not to bring the worker from his country unless he declares the type of work, its nature, the amount of the comprehensive wage and the availability of proof of fitness, health, psychological, professional and other conditions determined by the executive regulations of this law.

It stipulates that the worker has the right to a weekly rest day and compensated adequately if he/she has to work on an off. The worker is entitled to annual leave for 30 days for each year. According to the draft law, the worker has the right to sick leave for a period of not more than 30 days in the contractual year.

The amended draft law also requires the recruitment offices to bear the expenses of returning the worker to his country. The workers have the right to keep their official documents such as passports. And the recruitment offices should bear the expenses of returning the worker to his/her country.