The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has removed the requirement for supporting documents for 13 types of work permits under its Zero Bureaucracy programme.
According to Gulf media reports, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has introduced these changes to make the work permit process faster and easier.
What has changed?
Under the new rules, the information required in application forms has been reduced by 75 to 97 per cent. The time needed to issue work permits has also been cut.
The changes are expected to make hiring easier for foreign workers, including thousands of Pakistanis who travel to the UAE for employment every month.
Employers can now apply for all 13 types of permits through the ministry’s digital services. They no longer need to upload supporting documents for these applications.
Which work permits are included in the new rules?
The 13 types of work permits covered by the new changes include:
- Work permits for hiring employees from outside the UAE for two years.
- Two-year work permits for employees changing jobs.
- Work permits for Golden Residency holders.
- Freelance work permits for foreign residents working under their own residency sponsorship.
- Work permits for residents sponsored by their families.
- Part-time work permits.
- Temporary work permits.
- Mission work permits.
- Private tutoring work permits.
- Work permits for student training and employment.
- Work permits for young people aged 15 to under 18.
- Work permits for UAE and GCC citizens.
- Work permits for national trainees.
What is the purpose of these changes?
The ministry said the changes aim to make services easier for private businesses and protect workers’ rights.
The new system is also expected to speed up foreign recruitment and job transfers. It will allow employers to complete more steps online without dealing with lengthy paperwork.
The ministry has also started another phase of reforms to simplify procedures and expand its digital services.
