Quick answer: MOHRE enquiry services are free online tools from the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation that let workers and employers check labour contract details, work permit status, labour card validity and complaint status using a labour card number, transaction number or Emirates ID. You can access them 24/7 at mohre.gov.ae, on the MOHRE app, or through the Tas'heel and Tadbeer service channels — the enquiry itself costs nothing, though new applications and amendments carry government fees.
Key takeaways
- MOHRE enquiry services let you verify labour contracts, work permits and complaint status online for free.
- You mainly need your labour card number, transaction number, or Emirates ID to run an enquiry.
- Contract and work permit status are the two most-checked services — both take under two minutes.
- New permits, renewals and cancellations do carry government fees (typically AED 250–3,500 depending on category).
- A PRO can handle the full paperwork if an enquiry reveals a problem you need fixed.
What are MOHRE enquiry services?
MOHRE enquiry services are a set of free online lookup tools from the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation that let employees, employers and job seekers check the real-time status of labour-related records without visiting an office.
They cover the private-sector workforce across the UAE. Whether you want to confirm the salary written on your signed labour contract, verify that your work permit is active, or track a complaint you filed against an employer, the answer sits inside the same MOHRE system. Because these enquiries pull directly from official government records, they are the most reliable way to confirm your employment standing in the UAE.
The service is available through three main channels:
- The MOHRE website (mohre.gov.ae)
- The MOHRE smart app (iOS and Android)
- The MOHRE call centre (600 590000) and approved Tas'heel / Tadbeer service centres
How do I check my labour contract on MOHRE?
You can check your MOHRE labour contract online in under two minutes using your labour card number and the "Contract Enquiry" service — no login is required for the basic lookup.
Your labour contract is the legally registered document that states your job title, basic salary, allowances, contract type (limited or unlimited) and working hours. Checking it matters because the version registered with MOHRE is the one that legally counts — not a separate offer letter an employer may have shown you. Discrepancies here are one of the most common reasons UAE workers later file complaints.
Here is the step-by-step process:
- Go to mohre.gov.ae and open the Services menu.
- Select "Enquiry Service", then choose "Labour Contract" or "Employment Contract Enquiry."
- Enter your labour card / personal number (found on your work permit) and the transaction number.
- Complete the verification code (captcha).
- Click Search to view your registered contract, including salary and contract terms.
If you don't have your labour card number handy, you can retrieve it using your Emirates ID and passport details through the same portal or the app.
Prefer to watch instead of read? Our consultants walk through the full contract download, screen by screen, in this short video:
More step-by-step UAE guides like this one are on the DBM YouTube channel.
How do I check my UAE work permit status?
You can check your UAE work permit status by entering your transaction number or labour card number into the MOHRE "Work Permit Enquiry" tool, which shows whether the permit is new, active, expired or cancelled.
A work permit (often issued as an e-work permit) is the government approval that legally allows a foreign national to work for a specific employer in the UAE private sector. It is separate from your residence visa, though the two are linked. Checking the status is essential when you are:
- Starting a new job and waiting for approval
- Renewing before expiry to avoid fines
- Confirming a cancellation after resignation, so it doesn't block your next job
To check, open Services → Enquiry Service → Work Permit, enter your transaction or personal number, complete the captcha, and search. The result confirms the permit type and current stage in the MOHRE workflow.
How do I check a MOHRE complaint status?
You can track a MOHRE labour complaint online using the reference number issued when you filed it, through the "Complaints and Reports" enquiry service on the portal or app.
If you've raised a labour dispute — for example over unpaid salary, wrongful termination or end-of-service benefits — MOHRE assigns your case a reference number. Entering that number shows whether your complaint is under review, referred to the labour court, or resolved. This transparency is one reason the UAE's labour system is considered relatively worker-friendly, but you must keep your reference number safe to follow progress.
MOHRE enquiry services at a glance
Here is a quick comparison of the most-used MOHRE enquiries, what you need, and typical cost.
| Enquiry service | What you can check | What you need | Enquiry cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labour contract enquiry | Salary, job title, contract type | Labour card no. + transaction no. | Free |
| Work permit status | New / active / expired / cancelled | Transaction no. or personal no. | Free |
| Labour card validity | Card issue and expiry dates | Labour card no. + Emirates ID | Free |
| Complaint / report status | Case stage and resolution | Complaint reference no. | Free |
| Establishment enquiry (employers) | Company status, quota, fines | Establishment card no. | Free |
Note: The enquiry is always free. Government transactions triggered afterwards carry fees — a new work permit typically ranges AED 250–3,500 depending on company category and skill level, while renewals and cancellations sit in a similar band. Late-renewal fines start around AED 500 and increase over time.
What documents or details do you need?
You need at least one official identifier to run any MOHRE enquiry — most services work with a single number.
Keep the following ready before you start:
- Labour card number (also called personal number, printed on the work permit)
- Transaction number for the specific application
- Emirates ID number
- Passport number (for some retrieval functions)
- Complaint reference number (for complaint tracking only)
- Establishment card number (for employers checking company records)
If you're missing your labour card or transaction number, use the "Get Labour Card Number" tool on the portal with your Emirates ID and passport to recover it first.
Why MOHRE enquiries matter for employers and investors
For business owners, MOHRE enquiries are the fastest way to confirm work permit quotas, monitor fines and keep your establishment file clean before it affects visa approvals.
If you employ staff in the UAE, your establishment card status directly affects your ability to hire, renew permits and process new UAE visas. A blocked or fined company file can stall everything from a single employment visa to a Golden Visa sponsorship. Many SMEs discover a small unpaid fine only when a new hire's permit gets rejected — a quick establishment enquiry avoids that surprise.
This is also where a lot of founders lose time. Chasing down transaction numbers, correcting a mismatched contract, or clearing a fine involves specific MOHRE and immigration steps that must be done in the right order. Handing this to a professional is usually cheaper than the fines and delays of doing it wrong. For more UAE government-process walkthroughs, our guides hub covers Emirates ID, visa file numbers and related services.
Where DBM PRO services fit in
If a MOHRE enquiry reveals a problem — an expired permit, a contract mismatch, an unresolved fine or a blocked company file — DBM's PRO services team handles the correction end to end.
We manage MOHRE and immigration paperwork daily for entrepreneurs, SMEs and international companies. Typical requests include work permit renewals, labour contract amendments, cancellations after resignation, and clearing establishment fines so hiring can resume. If you're also setting up or expanding — say adding staff to a mainland company — we align the labour, immigration and licensing steps so nothing gets rejected mid-process.
FAQ
How do I check my labour contract on MOHRE for free?
Go to mohre.gov.ae, open the Enquiry Service section, select Labour Contract, and enter your labour card number and transaction number with the captcha code. The enquiry is completely free and shows your registered salary, job title and contract type. The same lookup is available on the MOHRE smart app without any charge.
How much does it cost to renew a UAE work permit?
Renewing a UAE work permit typically costs between AED 250 and AED 3,500 in government fees, depending on your company's MOHRE category and the employee's skill level. Renewing before expiry avoids late fines that start around AED 500. Checking the permit status first via a free MOHRE enquiry helps you renew on time and budget accurately.
What's the difference between a work permit and a labour card?
A work permit is the MOHRE approval that legally allows you to work for a specific employer, while the labour card was the physical card that historically proved that permit. Today the UAE largely uses electronic work permits, so the "labour card number" and "personal number" refer to the same digital identifier used in enquiries.
Can I check my MOHRE complaint status online?
Yes — you can track a MOHRE complaint online using the reference number issued when you filed it, through the Complaints and Reports enquiry on the portal or app. The result shows whether your case is under review, referred to court, or resolved. Keep the reference number safe, as it's required for every follow-up.
Do I need to log in to use MOHRE enquiry services?
No, most basic MOHRE enquiries — labour contract, work permit status and complaint tracking — work without a login using just your labour card, transaction or reference number plus a captcha. Logging in with a UAE Pass account is only needed for submitting new applications, amendments or downloading official documents.
What happens if my work permit shows as cancelled after I resign?
A cancelled work permit after resignation is normal and confirms your previous employment has legally ended, freeing you to start a new job or exit the country within your grace period. Verify the cancellation with a MOHRE enquiry before signing a new contract, since an uncancelled permit can block your next work permit application.
Need help fixing a MOHRE issue or renewing a permit? DBM's PRO team can run the enquiry, identify the exact problem, and handle the government paperwork for you — no guesswork, no repeat trips. Book a free consultation via our contact page or message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 504 6228.