MoHRE AI Cuts Work Permit Checks From 10 Minutes to Under One
MoHRE says AI now checks work permit data in under a minute, has processed over 11 million transactions and helped cut labour violations by 15%. Here is what it means for workers.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) says artificial intelligence now checks work permit data in under a minute, a job that once took around 10 minutes. The system has processed more than 11 million transactions automatically, according to Gulf News, as the ministry uses AI across permits, inspections and labour market planning.
For private-sector workers, MoHRE AI work permits mean faster paperwork, more targeted inspections and a fresh deepfake warning.
How MoHRE uses AI for work permits
MoHRE's AI system verifies identity and passport details, employment contracts, photo quality and other data linked to work permits. According to the figures reported:
- Transaction processing time fell by 95%.
- Reviewing a transaction dropped from around 10 minutes to less than one minute.
- More than 11 million transactions were processed automatically.
Work permit quotas for companies are now issued automatically too, where the process could once take up to 10 days. Around 900,000 quotas were issued this way between February and October 2025.
Under the Zero Bureaucracy Programme, MoHRE says AI has removed procedures for some services by up to 100%. We reported on a related tool last year, MoHRE's 'Eye' AI work permit system.
Smarter labour inspections and fewer violations
MoHRE has also built an AI system for occupational health and safety inspections. It can spot violations and write reports automatically. A separate risk-prediction system flags companies that may need a proactive visit. This follows the AI smart safety tracker the ministry showed at GITEX last year.
The results so far, as announced in September 2026:
- Private-sector companies found breaking labour market rules fell by 15% in the first half of 2026, compared with the same period in 2025.
- Inspection teams carried out around 212,000 visits in that period, guided by data and risk indicators.
Faster services for workers and employers
In January 2026, MoHRE launched the UAE Work Package for the Private Sector. It shares data with bodies including the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security and Nafis, with one payment mechanism and a "once-only" approach to entering your details.
In the first half of 2026, MoHRE's Labour Market Observatory recorded:
| Channel | Volume |
|---|---|
| Text and electronic messages | More than 18.2 million |
| Phone interactions | More than 1.24 million |
| Tawasol system interactions | Around 228,800 |
The average time to resolve a customer request was three days.
Protect yourself from deepfake job and HR scams
Mohamed Saqr Al Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at MoHRE, warned that deepfakes can fake images, voices and videos to impersonate people and commit fraud. His advice for workers:
- Check the source of any information before acting on it.
- Do not answer sensitive or financial requests through channels you cannot verify.
- Use MoHRE's official channels whenever you are in doubt.
- Be careful with unusual digital content, such as an odd voice note or video from a "manager".
If you are job hunting, stick to verified listings such as JobXDubai jobs, and see how to report unpaid salaries anonymously through MoHRE if your pay goes missing.
Key takeaway
MoHRE now uses AI to check work permits, issue quotas and choose which companies to inspect, cutting review times from about 10 minutes to under one. Violations fell 15% in the first half of 2026. The ministry's advice to workers is simple: verify every request and use official channels.
FAQ
How long does a MoHRE work permit check take with AI?
According to MoHRE's figures, reviewing a work permit transaction now takes less than one minute, down from around 10 minutes. Overall processing time fell by 95%.
Are UAE work permit quotas issued automatically?
Yes. Companies can now get work permit quotas automatically, where the process once took up to 10 days in some cases. Around 900,000 quotas were issued this way between February and October 2025.
Did labour violations fall in the UAE in 2026?
MoHRE said private-sector companies found in violation fell by 15% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. Inspectors made around 212,000 visits in that time.
What is the UAE Work Package for the Private Sector?
It is a set of connected digital services MoHRE launched in January 2026. It shares data with other government bodies, uses a single payment mechanism and asks for your information only once.
How can I avoid deepfake scams at work in the UAE?
MoHRE advises checking the source of information, not responding to sensitive or financial requests through unverified channels, and using the ministry's official channels if in doubt.
Further reading
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