UAE Makes Work and Residency Processes Easier
The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced significant changes that will streamline work and residency procedures in the country. As part of its commitment to the UAE’s Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, the Ministry has worked to eliminate unnecessary steps, reducing processing times from days to just minutes and in some cases, completely removing certain requirements.
These changes come in response to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, aimed at boosting efficiency and enhancing customer satisfaction across government services.
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New Efficiencies with Digital Transformation
MoHRE has made extensive strides in digitizing its services, including migrating its entire service portfolio to the Federal Network (FEDnet) cloud infrastructure. Khalil Ibrahim Al Khoori, MoHRE’s Undersecretary of Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations, emphasized the Ministry’s focus on improving customer journeys by simplifying organizational processes and utilizing technology for a more seamless experience.
A prime example of this is the Work Bundle, which consolidates key services needed by private-sector companies and individuals into a single digital platform. Through the ‘Work in UAE’ platform, businesses can now complete essential work and residency procedures with ease and speed.
Reduced Work Permit Procedures
One of the major highlights is the elimination of in-person visits for work permit renewals. Thanks to electronic integration with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), work permits can now be processed and approved automatically via a smartphone app. Previously required documents have been completely eliminated, and what once took two days now takes mere moments.
This integration has also streamlined the cancellation process for work permits for various cases, including workers outside the country, deceased individuals, and those with contagious diseases. This overhaul has cut down on red tape and significantly shortened the time needed for these transactions.
Collaboration for Faster Services
MoHRE’s collaboration with the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis) and other key entities, such as the General Pension and Social Security Authority, has led to the creation of a comprehensive service system. This system allows for easier issuance, renewal, and cancellation of work permits for UAE citizens, ensuring that all data flows seamlessly between the relevant platforms.
Additionally, MoHRE has partnered with Emirates Health Services (EHS), the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), and the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi to streamline services for new hires and domestic workers. These efforts have resulted in reduced paperwork, fewer visits, and drastically reduced processing times for work and residency services.
AI-Assisted Automation
In a move to enhance operational efficiency, MoHRE has introduced an Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform that automates various procedures for businesses. This platform now reduces process completion times to just three hours, compared to the previous three months it took for certain tasks. AI is also used to determine the proposed activity when a client opens an establishment card, further speeding up the service process.
Furthermore, MoHRE has introduced a Smart Inspection System to proactively monitor and address risks to labor market stability. This system uses AI to assess establishments’ risk levels and prioritize inspections accordingly.
A Digital Future
The Ministry’s drive for zero bureaucracy has also led to the development of the Investor Journey - Abu Dhabi package, which has achieved a 100% reduction in procedures and documents for establishment registration. This initiative integrates MoHRE’s services with the ICP, TDRA, and the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, showcasing the UAE's commitment to reducing government complexity.
Moreover, MoHRE’s services have expanded to include innovations such as the Electronic Authorisation service, which allows clients to complete procedures in just two minutes—drastically reducing the paperwork and in-person visits that were once required. Another standout is the automated status settlement service for work permit renewals, which eliminates up to 93% of data fields and 50% of the required steps.
Data Integration for Seamless Service Delivery
The Ministry’s integration of labor market data between itself and its partners has significantly enhanced the efficiency of work permit and labor contract services. With data now synchronized across multiple government agencies, MoHRE is able to process requests automatically, without requiring any in-person visits.
These improvements align with the UAE government’s ongoing efforts to simplify bureaucratic procedures and deliver high-quality services in the most efficient way possible.
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Looking Ahead
The MoHRE’s efforts to automate and simplify services represent a major step in the UAE’s broader digital transformation. With new services such as the Smart Image Analysis System, 360 Contract Audit System, and other advanced tools, the Ministry continues to cut processing times, reduce errors, and make the experience as seamless as possible for residents and businesses alike.
In line with the Zero Bureaucracy Programme, MoHRE is not only making services faster but also significantly enhancing customer satisfaction by offering proactive, automated, and data-driven solutions. This move promises to further strengthen the UAE’s position as a global leader in digital government services.