If you’re an expat in the UAE, you’ve probably faced moments of confusion around your job- Is my work permit approved? Did my contract get registered correctly? Who do I turn to if my salary is delayed?
These questions are more common than you think. Many expats spend weeks chasing answers through different offices or relying on second-hand information.
The good news is you don’t actually need to.
The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has built a set of enquiry services that give you direct access to your own employment information. From checking the status of your labour card to verifying your company’s legitimacy, MOHRE makes sure you don’t stay in the dark about your rights and job status.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what MOHRE enquiry services are, why they matter for expats, and how you can use them in everyday situations, whether you’re starting a new job, switching employers, or solving a workplace issue.
What is MOHRE, and why should every expat know about it?
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) is the custodian of UAE’s private sector employment landscape. MOHRE is the UAE government agency responsible for regulating all employment, workers, and labour legislation.
It strives to achieve an equitable and balanced job market through the protection of workers’ rights, employer support, and the growth of the UAE economy.
For expats, MOHRE is not yet another government ministry – it’s your job lifeline that guarantees:
Legal employment framework: Any valid private sector job in the UAE must be enrolled with MOHRE, giving you legal protection and formal recognition of your job status.
Rights protection: MOHRE protects your basic employment rights, ranging from reasonable wages and working conditions to conflict resolution and contract adherence.
Transparency guarantee: By providing its enquiry services, MOHRE breaks the black box approach typical of government procedures, making you directly aware of your employment details.
Professional legitimacy: By having total records of your employment history, MOHRE offers continuity and authentication of your professional path in the UAE.
What are MOHRE enquiry services?
MOHRE Inquiry Services are the UAE government’s online and offline channels through which Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation assists employees, employers, and job candidates to retrieve key labour information efficiently and accurately.
MOHRE Enquiry Services serve as your 24/7 one-stop employment information hub, transforming tedious official procedures into intuitive digital journeys. These services include:
Service Category
What It Covers
Expat Benefit
Status Inquiries
Work permits, labour cards, applications
Real-time monitoring of your legal employment status
Verification and safeguarding of your terms of employment
Complaint Systems
Dispute monitoring, resolution status
Professional grievance management without legal expense
Company Verification
Legitimacy of employer, compliance status
Safety from fake job recruitment
Personal Records
Employment history, document accuracy
Complete career documentation
How do MOHRE enquiry services specifically benefit expats?
1. Eliminates employment uncertainty
As an expat, not knowing the status of your legalities can be debilitating. MOHRE Enquiry Services give immediate clarity about your work permit status, the validity of your contract, and your authorisation for employment, so you can plan your work and private life with assurance.
2. Prevents exploitation and fraud
By putting information into the hands of all stakeholders, these services eliminate misunderstanding and inhibit fraudulent activity in the workplace. For expats who are not aware of UAE labour law, this safeguard is a godsend.
3. Streamlines professional transitions
Changing jobs, renewing visas, or handling employment disputes is simplified by these services that offer the information and tools required for hassle-free transitions without long bureaucratic hold-ups.
4. Ensures fair treatment
The openness provided by MOHRE services ensures that your working terms align with what was mutually agreed upon, protecting you from being manipulated in contracts or treated unfairly by employers.
What types of MOHRE enquiry services are provided to expats?
1. Work permit status inquiries
This allows employers and employees to check the status of a work permit application, such as whether it is approved, pending, or rejected.
Expat benefit: No longer need to question whether your work permit is still valid or has an expiration date. Your legal right to work in the UAE is given in real-time with this service.
Best applied in:
Beginning a new employment
Renewing your work visa
Changing employers
Traveling abroad and returning to the UAE
2. Labour card verification
It verifies the validity and authenticity of your labour card. It is a legal document that serves as proof of lawful employment in the UAE.
Expat benefit: Your labour card is your UAE employment identity card. This service guarantees your card is genuine and current, safeguarding you against document forgery.
Best applied when:
Obtaining a new labour card
Opening bank accounts or applying for loans
Renewing residence visas
Updating personal details
3. Employment contract inquiries
MOHRE allows employees to verify their employment contract details online, including job title, salary, and contract conditions.
Expat advantage: Contract disputes are among the most common employment issues for expats. This service ensures transparency and provides official documentation of your agreed terms.
Best used when:
Starting a new position
Suspecting contract manipulation
Preparing for salary negotiations
Documenting employment history
4. Salary dispute and complaint tracking
Employees who have filed grievances in the case of late or unpaid wages can check the status of their case through MOHRE’s inquiry system.
Expat benefit: Salary grievances may be especially trying for expats. This service offers a formal, traceable dispute resolution process without the high cost of legal representation.
Best used when:
Suffering late payment of salary
Facing reduction of wage without agreement
Confronting overtime payment problems
Settling disputes on end-of-service benefits
5. Company information verification
Employees and employers can check whether an employer is registered and in accordance with UAE labour laws.
Expat benefit: Check first whether your prospective employer is legitimate and in accordance with UAE laws, avoiding fake job offers.
Best used when:
Assessing job offers
Signing employment contracts
Checking on prospective employers
Checking business partners
6. Employee personal file verification
Staff members can verify correctness in their personal information maintained with MOHRE, including passport information, job title, and work history.
Expat benefit: Maintaining accurate personal records is crucial for career development and compliance with legal requirements. This facility helps ensure your official work history is accurate and complete.
Best for: Brief status checks, frequent monitoring, busy professionals
3. Official Enquiry Portal
URL: inquiry.mohre.gov.ae
Features: Specialised inquiry platform with service-specific interfaces
Best for: Specialised inquiries, status monitoring, routine checks
Traditional support channels
4. Customer Happiness Centers
Service: In-person support at UAE branches
Best for: Complicated cases, document submission, personalised advice
5. Call Center Support
Number: 600590000
Features: Multilingual service, real-time support
Best for: Critical questions, instant clarification, guided tour
Access requirements and documentation
Access Method
Required Documents
Processing Time
Online Portal
Emirates ID, Passport, Transaction numbers
Instant
Mobile App
UAE Pass or account information
Instant
Call Center
Personal identification, case references
Real-time
Service Center
Original documents, Emirates ID
Same day
How to use MOHRE enquiry services for expats?
Step 1: Determine your enquiry type
Before calling any service, define your required need clearly:
Information Seeking: General labour law queries, policy interpretations
Status Verification: Work permits, labour cards, application status
Problem Resolution: Dispute over salaries, contract issues, labour violations
Company Verification: Legitimacy of the employer, compliance status
Step 2: Prepare required documentation
Basic documents for most requests:
Emirates ID (basic identification)
Passport with current UAE visa
Labour Card (where necessary)
Employment Contract (original or certified copy)
Transaction Numbers from previous MOHRE contacts
Evidence (payslips, letters, photos for grievances)
Step 3: Select your access channel
Choose according to your personal needs:
For instant clarifications: Utilise the call centre (600590000) for urgent clarifications
For regular verifications: Use the online portal or mobile application for routine inquiries
For complex queries: Go to Customer Happiness Centres for detailed assistance
For documents: Utilise official websites for downloadable records and certificates.
Step 4: Access the digital platform
Navigation on the Online Portal
Mobile App Process
Visit the official website of MOHRE
Download MOHRE UAE app
Go to the “Services” section
Log in through UAE Pass or create account
Choose “Inquiry Services”
Go to the “Inquiry Services” section
Select your specific service type
Choose corresponding inquiry type
Fill in necessary information accurately
Enter necessary details
Submit and get instant results
Monitor results and get notified
Step 5: Track and follow up
Keep records of all interactions:
Save reference numbers: Always record confirmation numbers for future references.
Proactive monitoring approaches
Monthly status reports: Periodic check on work permit validity, contract details, and compliance status.
Maintenance of documents: Maintain current records of all work documents, MOHRE communications, and official notices.
Alert setup: Configure reminders for permit renewal, contract renewals, and status updates.
Optimal utilisation of services
Correct information input: Verify all information twice prior to sending queries to prevent delay and validation issues.
Full documentation: Supply complete supporting documentation for complaints and intricate queries.
Follow-up discipline: Regular monitoring and communication of all requests submitted.
Multi-channel usage: Using proper access channels depending on inquiry urgency and complexity.
Fees and processing requirements
Most enquiry services are free of charge. Some requests (like attestation or re-issuance of documents) may carry small fees; these are listed in the MOHRE Services Directory.
Integration with other UAE systems
UAE Pass for digital identity.
Tasheel Centres for employer-related transactions.
ICA / Emirates ID system for residency links.
Common errors to steer clear of while using the MOHRE enquiry service
One single-digit error in your passport or labour card number can result in no result being found. Re-double your entries.
Technical errors:
Wrong number input (passport, labour card, transaction IDs)
Using outdated or expired information
Entering incorrect service classes
Omitting security verification procedures
Process mistakes:
Sending incomplete documentation
Failure to monitor reference numbers
Missing follow-up deadlines
Overlooking status update notifications
Establishing professional relationships
Employer contact: Utilise MOHRE services to ensure open communication with employers regarding compliance and legal issues
Career record-keeping: Utilise employment verification services to create detailed professional profiles
Building networks: Provide information on MOHRE services to other expats to establish supportive professional networks
What does the future hold for MOHRE services and expats?
Emerging digital trends
The UAE vision of zero bureaucracy keeps pushing the boundaries of innovations in MOHRE services, with future initiatives ranging from:
Blockchain integration: Secure, permanent employment records that offer end-to-end career documentation.
AI-boosted predictive services: Preventative notifications for permit renewal, contract expiration, and compliance.
Unified government services: Smooth integration between MOHRE, immigration, and other government portals.
Virtual reality support: Interactive instruction and training on intricate employment procedures.
More advanced support features for expatriates include:
Multilingual AI assistants that communicate in multiple languages and understand cultural differences.
Personalised dashboards that show relevant services, deadlines, and advice based on individual employment profiles.
Mobile-friendly designs that provide easy access on smartphones, which are widely used by expatriates.
Predictive analytics that give early warnings about potential job challenges or opportunities.
Important points to remember
Don’t wait until you’re in a job crisis to find MOHRE Enquiry Services. Here are what you can do immediately:
Immediate Actions:
Bookmark mohre.gov.ae and download the MOHRE mobile application.
Check your existing work permit status and contract information today.
Create monthly reminders to review your employment status and permit expiration dates.
Save the MOHRE call centre number (600590000) for emergency cases.
For new job seekers:
Always verify company legitimacy through MOHRE before accepting any offer.
Check employment contract details immediately after registration.
Confirm your work permit status before giving notice at your current job.
For current employees:
Use WPS monitoring to track salary compliance.
Report any discrepancies immediately through the complaint system.
Keep all MOHRE reference numbers and communication records.
Remember: In the UAE’s free market employment environment, educated expats succeed, and those who are uneducated suffer. MOHRE Enquiry Services puts everyone on an equal footing by providing you with the same information access as has long been enjoyed by employers and recruitment agencies.
Top use cases for expats
Checking your work permit or labour card status before starting a job.
Verifying employment contracts to ensure correct salary and job title.
Filing or tracking complaints against employers.
Confirming company legitimacy to avoid fake recruiters.
Reviewing your employment history when changing jobs or applying for residency.
Conclusion
With over 9.2 million expats making up 88% of the UAE’s workforce, MOHRE’s services are essential for many, helping with contract verification, tracking work permits, and resolving complaints. However, delays and missed updates can still cause frustration.
That’s where Stratrich comes in. We make the process easier by helping expats verify their job offers, keep track of employment records, and settle disputes smoothly. We also guide businesses to stay compliant with MOHRE regulations.
Together, MOHRE’s fairness and Stratrich’s expert support let you focus on growing your work while we handle the details.