UAE Student Work Permits & Internship Laws
A practical guide to legal student employment, training and internships in the UAE, including MoHRE permits, juvenile protections, part-time work, guardian consent, university NOCs and contract requirements.
The correct permit depends on the student's age, residence status, training/employment arrangement and the employer's circumstances.
UAE Student Work & Training Framework
Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 prohibits employment of anyone under 15 and establishes specific safeguards for juveniles aged 15–18. The implementing framework also includes a dedicated Student Training and Employment Permit for students who are already in the UAE and have reached 15 years of age.
MoHRE currently describes student training/employment and part-time work as separate permit services. Therefore, there is no sound basis for publishing one universal “university student work permit” with a fixed 20-hours-per-week rule for every student.
Student Training & Employment Permit
| Parameter | Current rule |
|---|---|
| Target audience | Students already in the UAE who have reached 15 years of age |
| Permit duration | Current MoHRE service page: 3 months |
| Core requirements |
|
Student Training / Internship Requirements
A genuine internship or training arrangement should not be treated as an informal exception to work-permit rules.
- The employer must be registered and eligible to use the MoHRE service.
- The student must provide proof of student status.
- A valid residence visa is required for non-national students.
- For training, an NOC/letter from the educational institution is required.
- An approved MoHRE employment contract is part of the service requirements.
- The work or training must be suitable for the student and comply with prohibited-occupation rules where juvenile provisions apply.
Documents Commonly Requested
| Document | When relevant |
|---|---|
| Emirates ID | Required by the current student-permit service. |
| Proof of student status | Required for the student permit. |
| Residence visa | Required for non-national students. |
| Guardian consent | Required for students aged 15–18. |
| Medical fitness certificate | Required under the applicable student/juvenile service. |
| University NOC | Specifically required for training under the current student-training service. |
| Approved employment contract | Required for the approved student employment arrangement. |
Juvenile Worker Protections — Ages 15 to 18
| Protection | Current statutory rule |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | A person under 15 cannot be employed under the juvenile provisions. |
| Daily actual working hours | Maximum 6 actual working hours per day. |
| Breaks | At least one hour in total, arranged so the juvenile does not work for more than four consecutive hours. |
| Night work | Juveniles cannot work between 7 pm and 7 am. |
| Overtime | Juveniles cannot be required to work overtime or remain at the workplace beyond prescribed hours. |
| Weekends / official holidays | Juveniles cannot be required to work on weekly rest days or official holidays under the juvenile provisions. |
| Hazardous work | Dangerous, arduous or otherwise prohibited work is not permitted. |
Student Employment Rights & Documents
- A student employment/training arrangement should be supported by the applicable MoHRE permit and approved contract.
- Ministerial Decree No. 519 of 2018 requires the student contract to state the nature of work, duration, wage, weekly holiday and daily working hours.
- The employer is required to provide a student with an experience certificate at the end of the training or employment period.
- A student does not automatically receive every benefit of a standard employee; student-specific rules can apply.
Important Benefit Limitation
Ministerial Decree No. 519 of 2018 states that a trained or employed student is not entitled to end-of-service gratuity or other leave except as stipulated in the contract.
This does not mean a student has no workplace protections. Occupational-health and safety requirements, contractual obligations and the juvenile protections continue to matter where applicable.
Current MoHRE Student Training & Employment Process
1. Employer checks eligibility
The establishment must be registered with MoHRE, maintain a valid licence and satisfy the service conditions.
2. Gather student documents
Collect proof of student status, identity documents, residence visa where applicable, consent and medical evidence where required.
3. Obtain education-institution NOC for training
Where the arrangement is training, obtain the required NOC/letter from the educational institution.
4. Submit the permit application
The authorised signatory of the establishment submits the application through the MoHRE service channels.
5. MoHRE verification
MoHRE checks the submitted information and documents. Any shortfall is returned to the establishment for completion.
6. Permit and contract approval
After approval, the student training/employment permit is issued and the contract is electronically approved.
Current Student Training Permit Service Details
| Service item | Current MoHRE information |
|---|---|
| Minimum student age | 15 years |
| Permit duration | 3 months |
| Service completion | 2 working days, according to the current service page |
| Federal fee | AED 50 |
| Business-centre commission | Capped at AED 72 where a business centre is used |
| Application route | Service centre, MoHRE website, mobile application or Tawseel, according to the current service page |
Related UAE Tools & Guides
2026 VerifiedFrequently Asked Questions
Official MoHRE Services
This page is based on current MoHRE legislation, regulations and service information checked for 2026. It is not government-verified, endorsed or certified by MoHRE.
Work-permit eligibility can depend on age, nationality, residence status, employer eligibility, training versus employment status and the actual occupation. Confirm the live MoHRE service requirements before the student starts work or training.
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