Dubai Working Age Limit 2026: Minimum Age, Student Permits, Senior Workers & UAE Work Visa Rules (Complete Guide)

Snapshot: Dubai Employment Age Rules in 2026

Dubai welcomes global talent but follows clear employment-age rules to protect young workers and ensure compliant hiring:

• Standard employees: 18 years+ can be issued regular work permits.

• Juvenile workers: 15–18 can work only with a Juvenile Work Permit, limited hours, and no night/unsafe jobs.

• Children under 15: Not permitted to work.

• Senior workers: Hiring 60–65+ is allowed with extra approvals/fees and annual renewals as required.

UAE Minimum Age for Employment (Who Can Work and When)

Standard employees (18+) 

Applicants 18 years and above may obtain a UAE work permit under an employer’s sponsorship, complete medical fitness, Emirates ID biometrics, and residence visa procedures.

Juvenile workers (15–18): permits & protections

Residents aged 15 to 18 may work only with a Juvenile Work Permit issued under strict conditions (guardian consent, medical fitness, limited hours). This route is common for internships and entry-level roles.

Children under 15: prohibition

Employment is prohibited to protect health, education, and safety.

Juvenile Work Permit (15–18): Eligibility, Documents & Conditions

Required documents (guardian consent, medical fitness, IDs)

• Guardian/parental consent (signed authorization)

• Birth certificate (or official identification proving age)

• Medical fitness certificate from an approved clinic

• Valid UAE residence visas for the minor and guardian

• Employer’s trade license and active establishment file

• Completed application with photo and ID copies

Work hour limits, breaks & night work restrictions

• Max 6 hours/day with a minimum 1-hour break

• No night shifts in industrial premises

• No overtime and no work on rest days without explicit allowance

• School-time balance should be respected for students

Prohibited/unsafe occupations for minors

Minors cannot work in hazardous environments (e.g., heavy industry, toxic chemicals, high-risk construction, night industrial operations) or any job the authority classifies as unsafe.

Student Training/Part-Time Permits (12–18 & university students)

Who can apply and typical use cases

• Students 12–18 (residents) can obtain training permits for school-approved internships.

• University students can take part-time roles or internships with an approved permit.
  These options encourage skill building without breaching child-labor protections.

How to apply and validity

Applications are filed through authorized channels with guardian consent (for minors), employer documents, and training plan/offer letter. Permits are time-bound (often up to 12 months) and employer-specific.

UAE Work Visa Age Limits (2026): Hiring at 18+, senior workers 60–65+

Employer sponsorship & MoHRE/GDRFA basics

A standard employment route is: work permit approval → entry permit/status change → medical fitness → Emirates ID biometrics → residence visa issuance → labor contract registration.

Extra approvals/fees for workers above 60–65

Employers may hire/retain workers above 60 (and even 65+) by requesting approvals and paying additional category/age-band fees where applicable. Visas are generally renewed annually for this age group.

Contract registration, Emirates ID & medical fitness

All employees must have their labor contract registered, pass medical fitness, and obtain an Emirates ID, which is required for banking, housing, health insurance, and services.

Working Hours, Overtime & Leave (Quick Rules for 2026)

Standard work week & overtime notes

• Typical private-sector workweek is Monday–Friday; Saturday–Sunday weekend.

• Standard daily/weekly limits and overtime are governed by contract and law. Employers must adhere to maximums and proper overtime pay.

Special limits for juveniles

• Max 6 hours/day, no overtime, no night industrial work.

• Continuous work is not allowed; breaks are mandatory.

Common Application Errors & How to Avoid Rejection

• Wrong permit type (e.g., trying to hire a 16-year-old without a Juvenile Permit)

• Missing guardian consent or medical fitness for minors

• Mismatched job title vs. company activity

• Expired documents (passport, establishment card, trade license)

• Skipping contract registration or incomplete Emirates ID steps

Pro Tip: Align age, role, and permit type from the start. Submit clear color scans and ensure names and dates match across all documents.

Why Apply Through Dubai Visa Center

• Compliance-first guidance: We match age, role & permit type to the correct MoHRE/GDRFA pathway.

• End-to-end handling: Work permits, entry permits, medical & biometrics scheduling, and residence visa steps.

• Accuracy checks: We pre-screen forms and documents to reduce delays or rejections.

• Support for all ages: Juvenile permits, student training permits, standard employment, and senior worker renewals.

CTA: Start Your Dubai Work/Training Permit Process Online

Ready to hire or begin working in Dubai in 2026—safely and legally? Apply through Dubai Visa Center for a smooth, accurate, and quick process from permit selection to Emirates ID.

Apply Now → Dubai Visa Center