How to apply for the UAE's new teen work permit

The UAE government has released details on how young people can apply for the new juvenile work permit.

Under a recent overhaul of visa regulations, those aged 15 to 18 can apply for a part-time permit, although they still need to continue with their education.

How much does it cost?

It costs employers Dh100 to apply for the electronic work permit, and Dh500 once it is approved. The process can be completed in a day.

There are three types of permit, and youths can be hired to work on projects either for up to six months, or for fewer hours over a year.

Who can work and where?

Both UAE citizens and residents can be hired, although teenagers must have a valid residence visa, and their parents must give permission for them to apply.

Teenagers are not allowed to work at night in industrial enterprises, and must not be hired to do hazardous or strenuous jobs under the UAE labour law.

Youths are also only allowed to work six hours a day, and they are entitled to one or more breaks totalling one hour a day. Working overtime or on holidays is prohibited.

How about younger teenagers?

Only teenagers aged 15 and over can apply for the juvenile work permit.

However pupils aged above 12 and below 18 can apply for work experience and summer work placements in the private sector, if they get a training permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

This free form can be found on the ministry's website and in its Wajjehni app. Forms can also be found at Tas'heel service centres. Written consent of the pupils parent or guardian is required.

How can companies apply for the juvenile work permit?

Applications are being processed through the Tas'heel service centres, and the approval notice can be printed out by visiting the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation website.

The centres are open from Saturday to Thursday, from 8am to 8pm. For further inquiries call 800 60, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Required documents for the juvenile work permit

Copy of teenager's valid passport
Copy of teenager's valid residence visa
Copy of parent or guardian's valid passport
Copy of valid residence visa for the parent or guardian
Application form
Copy of part-time contract
Colour photograph with a white background of the teenager
Valid certificate of fitness issued from competent health official
Written consent from the teenager's parent or guardian

Terms and conditions for the juvenile work permit

The teenager must have a valid residence visa stamped in their passport if they are a foreign national
The teenager's relatives must also have a valid residence visa
Approval of the teenager's parent or guardian must be obtained
The teenager must be medically fit
The teenager's age must not be below 15 years and not exceed 18 years
The permit shall be valid for a period not exceeding one year
Work to be assigned to the applicant must not be among that mentioned in the ministerial decree No. 1189 of 2010 in accordance with the enclosure
The licence of the establishment submitting the application must be valid and free from any violations
The establishment must have an e-signature card at the ministry

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

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What is the definition of an SME?

SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.

A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.

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Evacuations to France hit by controversy

Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association